Elegant Corydoras, also known as the Elegant Catfish, is a tropical freshwater fish that belongs to the Corydoradinae subfamily in the Callichthyidae family.
It comes from South America and lives in the upper Amazon River basin in Brazil, Colombia, and Peru.
The name “elegans” means elegant. Their diet includes worms, crustaceans, insects, and plant matter.
While they lay their eggs in thick vegetation, adult fish do not guard the eggs.
Elegant Corydoras Interesting Facts
- Elegant corydoras is a freshwater fish that comes from South America.
- They have double stripes and gray markings against an olive background, making them look elegant as their name suggests.
- They grow to be 2 inches long and live in water with a pH of 6.0 to 8.0, hardness of 2 to 25 dGH, and temperature range between 72°F to 79°F.
- They feed on insects, crustaceans, worms, and plants.
Elegant Corydoras Habitat
Elegant corydoras is a freshwater fish that lives in South America, specifically in the upper Amazon River basin.
This fish stays near the bottom of the water (demersal).
It prefers a pH level between 6.0 and 8.0, a water hardness between 2 and 25 dGH, and water temperatures between 72°F and 79°F (22°C and 26°C).
The elegant corydoras is considered a tropical fish.
| Water Temperature: | 72°F to 79°F (22°C to 26°C) |
| Water pH: | 6.0 to 8.0 pH |
| Water Hardness: | 2 to 25 dGH |
Elegant Corydoras Physical Characteristics
Size: 2 inches (5.1 centimeters)
Elegant corydoras is a small fish. The maximum length of elegant corydoras is about 5.1 centimeters, which is about 2 inches.
This fish has dark double stripes running along its body. Its dorsal fin has some gray dots that can form an arching pattern in some fish.
Elegant corydoras has a mix of gray and black markings on an olive-colored background.
Compared to other corydoras fish, the elegant corydoras has a body that is not as tall in relation to its length, and its eyes are placed a bit lower.
Elegant Corydoras Reproduction
When elegant corydoras are kept in captivity, the males are known to be territorial during the time leading up to spawning.
Meanwhile, females usually hide among plant roots. Both male and female elegant corydoras clean the undersides of plant leaves.
They attach their eggs under the leaves and also to the roots of plants.
Elegant Corydoras Scientific Classification
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Order: | Siluriformes |
| Family: | Callichthyidae |
| Genus: | Corydoras |
| Scientific Name: | Corydoras elegans |
| Also Known As: | Elegant Corydoras, Elegant Catfish |
| Conservation Status: | Data Deficient |