Corydoras Armatus

🐟 Corydoras armatus — Original Care Guide

Corydoras armatus is a peaceful and active bottom-dweller native to the western Amazon basin. Known for its subtle coloration and gentle schooling nature, it thrives in soft, warm, and well-oxygenated water. While not as flashy as some of its cousins, this cory offers aquarists a chance to keep a rare, community-safe catfish that displays fascinating foraging behavior and playful group dynamics.

🌎 Natural Habitat

• Origin: Upper Amazon River system (Peru, western Brazil, and possibly Ecuador)

• Environment: Shallow streams, floodplains, and tributaries with soft sandy or silty bottoms

• Water Conditions: Typically warm, slightly acidic, and rich in detritus with ample vegetation cover

• Wild Behavior: Lives in groups, often seen sifting through substrate for small invertebrates and organic debris

🏡 Aquarium Setup

• Minimum Tank Size: 20 gallons for a small group; 30+ gallons preferred for a full school

• Group Size: Keep in groups of at least 6 — they are schooling fish and become stressed when kept alone

• Substrate: Very fine sand is essential to protect their delicate barbels during feeding

• Aquascape:

  • Use driftwood, low plants, and leaf litter to provide shaded areas

  • Smooth stones and hiding spots will help them feel secure

• Lighting: Low to moderate — avoid intense lighting, as they prefer dimmer conditions

• Filtration: Gentle but effective filtration to maintain water clarity without creating strong currents

• Water Movement: Light flow; mimic gentle stream conditions

🌡️ Water Parameters

• Temperature: 72–79°F (22–26°C)

• pH: 6.0–7.2 (slightly acidic to neutral)

• Hardness: 2–10 dGH (soft to moderately soft water)

• Maintenance: Perform weekly 25–30% water changes and vacuum the substrate gently to prevent waste buildup

🍴 Feeding and Diet

Corydoras armatus are opportunistic bottom feeders with a diet that includes insect larvae, biofilm, and organic debris.

• Staple Foods:

  • Sinking micro pellets or wafers

  • High-quality bottom-feeder granules

• Live/Frozen Foods:

  • Bloodworms, daphnia, brine shrimp, tubifex (in moderation)

• Feeding Behavior:

  • Constantly sifts through sand for edible bits

  • Avoid floating foods, as they naturally feed from the bottom

• Feeding Frequency: 1–2 times daily in small amounts

🤝 Temperament & Tank Mates

• Behavior: Extremely peaceful, social, and non-territorial

• Best Kept With:

  • Small, peaceful community fish (e.g., tetras, rasboras, pencilfish)

  • Dwarf cichlids like Apistogramma

  • Other Corydoras species

• Avoid:

  • Aggressive species

  • Large predatory fish that may see them as food

  • Fin-nippers that may harass their flowing fins

🐣 Breeding Behavior

• Spawning Type: Egg scatterers; lay adhesive eggs on surfaces like plant leaves or glass

• Spawning Behavior:

  • Males chase females; T-position mating typical of Corydoras

  • A single female may lay 50–100 eggs per spawning

• Raising Fry:

  • Eggs hatch in 3–5 days

  • Feed fry with infusoria, powdered fry food, or vinegar eels

  • Separate adults after spawning to prevent egg predation

⚠️ Special Notes

• Sensitive Barbels: Poor substrate or dirty tanks can cause barbel erosion or infections

• Oxygenation: Ensure good surface agitation and high oxygen levels, especially in warmer tanks

• Tank Lid Required: Corydoras can jump when startled, especially at night

📋 Quick Reference Summary

📝 Final Thoughts

Corydoras armatus is a gentle, rarely seen Cory that rewards the attentive aquarist with graceful motion, entertaining group dynamics, and stress-free cohabitation. With soft substrate, clean water, and the company of its own kind, this species will thrive and become a lively, natural addition to any well-maintained freshwater aquarium.