Wavy Corydoras Care Guide
Corydoras undulatus is a small catfish from the lower Parana basin and southern Brazil, peaceful and kept in groups on soft sand.
Compiled by Aquairi from published sources · Published · Updated
Overview
Corydoras undulatus is a small armoured catfish. FishBase records a standard length of 4.4 cm and a trophic level of around 3.0. It is a peaceful, bottom-dwelling schooling species for soft-water community aquaria.
Taxonomy
- Family: Callichthyidae
- Genus: Corydoras
- Scientific name: Corydoras undulatus
Habitat
FishBase records the species from the lower Parana River basin and coastal rivers in southern Brazil. It is a demersal freshwater fish and a facultative air-breather.
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank volume: 60 L
- Temperature: 20-24 °C (68-75 °F)
- pH: 6.0-7.5
- GH: 2-12 °dGH
- School size: 6 or more individuals
- Lifespan: 5-10 years
Diet
Omnivorous. FishBase places the species at a trophic level of about 3.0, consistent with the omnivorous, detritivorous bottom-feeding habit of the genus.
Compatibility
Peaceful and gregarious, best kept in groups on soft sand. Coming from southern, cooler-influenced waters, it tolerates the lower end of tropical temperatures.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List: Least Concern (assessed 2020).
Breeding Corydoras undulatus
Overview
Corydoras undulatus is a wavy-patterned cory from subtropical Argentina. As with related cool-climate corys such as C. gladysae and the well-known C. paleatus, it tolerates and benefits from cooler conditions than most tropical species. It is an egg-depositor; species-specific captive spawning data are scarce, so the standard Corydoras protocol is followed here.
Sexing
Throughout the genus, mature females are larger and noticeably rounder and broader across the body than males, an effect most visible when females are gravid; this is the practical sexing cue for the species.
Conditioning
Condition adults on a varied diet of live and frozen foods together with quality sinking dried foods. Cooler-water corys such as C. paleatus do well around 21-23 C, a useful reference for conditioning this subtropical species.
Spawning Behavior & Trigger
A common and effective trigger is a water change of 50 percent or more using pre-treated water about 3-5 C cooler than the tank, simulating the cool rain that prompts spawning in the wet season. The pair then adopt the 'T' position, in which the female presses against the male to collect sperm, cups one to four eggs in a pocket formed by her pelvic fins and swims off to attach them to a surface.
Egg & Fry Care
Eggs are deposited on plants, glass or other firm surfaces and receive no parental care. They may be left in the tank or moved to a rearing container, and the fry are started on fine powdered foods, microworm and Artemia nauplii.
Common Challenges
Maintaining suitably cool, clean water and assembling a properly sexed adult group are the main hurdles. As with other subtropical corys, sustained high tropical temperatures are best avoided.