Bandit Corydoras (Corydoras metae) Care Guide
Corydoras metae is a peaceful armoured catfish from the Rio Meta basin in Colombia, marked by a black eye-mask and a dark saddle along the back.
Overview
Corydoras metae, the bandit cory, is a small armoured catfish of the family Callichthyidae described by Eigenmann in 1914. It is recognised by the dark "mask" over its eyes and a dark band running from the dorsal fin to the caudal peduncle, which terminates at the tail base. A peaceful schooling species, it is endemic to the Rio Meta basin.
Taxonomy
- Family: Callichthyidae
- Genus: Corydoras
- Scientific name: Corydoras metae
- Described by: Eigenmann, 1914
Habitat
The species is endemic to the Rio Meta basin in Colombia, a tributary of the Rio Orinoco. It is a demersal freshwater fish that lives over soft substrates and demonstrates facultative air-breathing, allowing it to gulp atmospheric air in low-oxygen conditions.
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank volume: 80 L
- Temperature: 22-26 °C (72-79 °F)
- pH: 6.0-7.2
- GH: 2-10 °dGH
- School size: 6 or more individuals
- Lifespan: 5-10 years
Diet
An omnivore (trophic level around 3.0), it forages along the bottom. It readily takes sinking pellets, and benefits from live and frozen foods such as small worms, especially for conditioning.
Compatibility
A peaceful bottom dweller best kept in groups of six or more on soft sand to protect its delicate barbels. Suitable companions include tetras, Apistogramma and Otocinclus; aggressive cichlids should be avoided.
Breeding
Corydoras metae is an egg-depositor; breeding difficulty is considered intermediate.