Bonehead Cory Care Guide
Corydoras osteocarus, the bonehead or pepper cory, is a small peaceful catfish from the Orinoco basin and coastal rivers of Suriname.
Overview
Corydoras osteocarus, known as the bonehead cory or pepper cory, is an armored catfish of the family Callichthyidae, described by Böhlke in 1951. It is a small Brazilian and northern South American species with subtle dark markings. In the hobby C-Numbers system it was previously designated C60, and some sources now place it in the genus Hoplisoma.
Taxonomy
- Family: Callichthyidae
- Genus: Corydoras
- Scientific name: Corydoras osteocarus
- Author: Böhlke, 1951
- Recognised combination: Hoplisoma osteocarum (Böhlke, 1951)
Habitat
FishBase records the species from the Orinoco River basin and coastal rivers in Suriname. Wikipedia adds that it occurs in the Orinoco basin in Colombia and Venezuela. It is a tropical freshwater, demersal fish.
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank volume: 80 L
- Temperature: 22-26 °C (72-79 °F)
- pH: 6.0-7.5
- GH: 2-12 °dGH
- School size: 6 or more individuals
- Size: 4-5 cm (FishBase max 4.0 cm SL)
- Lifespan: 5-10 years
Diet
The species is an omnivore. Wikipedia reports it feeds on worms, benthic crustaceans, insects and plant matter. In aquaria it should be offered sinking dried foods supplemented with small live and frozen foods over a soft sand substrate.
Compatibility
It is a peaceful, diurnal bottom-dweller suited to community aquaria with small, 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.
Breeding
According to Wikipedia, the species reproduces by laying eggs in dense vegetation, with no parental care provided afterwards.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List: Least Concern (assessed 4 October 2020).