Loreto Corydoras Care Guide
Corydoras ortegai is a small panda-patterned cory from the lower Río Putumayo in Peru, named for ichthyologist Hernán Ortega.
Overview
Corydoras ortegai, known in the hobby as the Loreto or Loreto panda cory, is a small armoured catfish of the family Callichthyidae. It is recognised by a dark bar across the eyes and a rounded dark blotch on the body below the adipose fin. The species was named in honour of the Peruvian ichthyologist Hernán Ortega Torres.
Taxonomy
- Family: Callichthyidae
- Genus: Corydoras
- Scientific name: Corydoras ortegai
Habitat
The species occurs in the lower Río Putumayo in Peru. According to FishBase it inhabits mainly lotic (flowing) habitats characterised by muddy-brown water over a soft bottom of clay and sand, and it is a facultative air-breather.
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank volume: 60 L
- Temperature: 22-26 °C (72-79 °F)
- pH: 6.0-7.5
- GH: 2-12 °dGH
- School size: 6 or more individuals
- Lifespan: 5-10 years
- Substrate: soft sand
Diet
Corydoras ortegai is an omnivore with a trophic level of about 3.0. It forages along the substrate and in the aquarium accepts sinking dried foods supplemented with small live and frozen items.
Compatibility
A peaceful bottom-dwelling species best kept in groups of six or more. It suits community tanks with tetras, rasboras and otocinclus, and should not be combined with aggressive cichlids.