Leopard Corydoras Care Guide
Corydoras leopardus is a peaceful armored catfish from the western Amazon basin, often confused with the three-lined cory but with a longer snout.
Overview
Corydoras leopardus is an armored catfish of the family Callichthyidae, described by Myers in 1933. According to FishBase it occurs in the western Amazon River basin. It is very similar to, and often confused with, the three-lined cory; the leopard cory is distinguished by a longer, more pointed snout and a larger body. Several taxonomic sources now place it in the genus Brochis as Brochis leopardus.
Taxonomy
- Family: Callichthyidae
- Genus: Corydoras
- Scientific name: Corydoras leopardus
- Author: Myers, 1933
- Recognised combination: Brochis leopardus (Myers, 1933)
Habitat
FishBase records the species from the western Amazon River basin in South America. It is a tropical freshwater, demersal fish, meaning it lives close to the bottom of slow-moving rivers and tributaries.
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank volume: 100 L
- Temperature: 22-26 °C (72-79 °F)
- pH: 6.0-7.5
- GH: 2-12 °dGH
- School size: 6 or more individuals
- Size: 5-7 cm (FishBase max 6.1 cm SL)
- Lifespan: 5-10 years
Diet
The species is an omnivore. As with other Corydoras it forages along the substrate and in aquaria should be offered sinking dried foods supplemented with small live and frozen foods. A soft sand substrate protects its delicate barbels while it sifts for food.
Compatibility
It is a peaceful, diurnal bottom-dweller suited to community aquaria with other calm species such as tetras, rasboras and otocinclus. It should be maintained in a group of at least six and kept away from aggressive cichlids.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List: Least Concern (assessed 7 December 2020). FishBase notes the species enters both commercial fisheries and the aquarium trade.