Banded Corydoras: Care, Size, Food, Tank Mates, Price & More
Banded Corydoras are the most extensive schooling and distinctive looking freshwater aquarium catfish. It is so popular with aquarists due to its good looks and being ideal for temperate zones.
They are one of the few Corydoras species found in most pet stores. The Banded Corydoras is a good beginner fish because it is straightforward to care for.
This article will provide information on everything you need to know about caring for your own Banded Corydoras, including food, size, tank mates, price, and more!
Following this care guide will give you healthy and active Banded Corydoras in your aquarium.
What is Banded Corydoras?
| Scientific Name: | Scleromystax barbatus |
| Family: | Callichthyidae |
| Max Size: | 5 cm |
| Depth: | 2 – 60 m |
| Distribution: | Amazon and Orinoco river basins in South America |
| Diet: Omnivore. | Algae, small insects, crustaceans, and detritus |
| Care Level: | Easy |
| Temperament: | Peaceful |
| Reef Compatible: | No |
| Life Span: | 5 – 10 years |
| Aquarium Environment: | A freshwater aquarium with planted vegetation and hiding places |
| Minimum Tank Size: | 30 gallons |
| Tank Temperature: | 22 – 26 °C |
| Water Movement: | Moderate |
| Tank Setup: | Aquarium with rocks, gravel, and plants |
| Water Conditions: | 6.5 – 7.5, KH 3 – 8, pH 6.8 – 7.4 |
| Compatibility: | Peaceful with other small fish. Avoid aggressive fish |
Banded Corydoras (Scleromystax barbatus) belongs to the family Callichthyidae, which contains over 150 species of armored catfishes.
This species is found in the upper Paraná River basin in Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay. It grows to a length of 6.3 cm (2.5 inches).
The body of the Banded Corydoras is elongated and compressed, with a series of bony plates running along the sides. The head is small and narrow, with a protruding lower jaw. The eyes are located on the top of the head.
The coloration of this fish is variable but typically consists of a brown or tan body with black bands running along the sides.
There is often a dark stripe running through the eye. The fins are clear or yellowish.
The Banded Corydoras is a peaceful community fish that does well in groups of 6 or more individuals.
This fish is a bottom-dweller that feeds on small insects, worms, and other invertebrates. It is a good candidate for the home aquarium but does require some special care.
The Banded Corydoras is bred in captivity, and the fry is easy to raise. This fish is not currently considered endangered in its natural habitat.
All about Banded Corydoras
The bearded catfish is a subtropical freshwater fish native to coastal drainage environments in South America.
Maybe you know about this fish from your friend, but what else do you know about this fish in detail?
How much is known about their appearance, size, lifespan, growth rate, and behavior? Today I will highlight some information that has never been discussed before.
Appearance
They have a dark brown or black body with 3 vertical white or light-colored bands. The center band is usually the thickest and widest, while the top and bottom bars are thinner.
Their barbels are long and thin, and they have blunt heads. Their eyes are small and set far apart from each other.
Their fins are clear or pale in color. The dorsal fin has 7-9 rays, while the pectoral fin has 13-15 beams. The anal fin has 3-5 rays.
Their tail is long and slender with a black tip.
Males and females are similar in appearance, but males tend to be smaller than females. Females also have a rounder body shape when they are full of eggs.
Color Varieties
There are several color varieties of banded Corydoras available, including:
- Albino: This variety has a white or cream-colored body with pink eyes. The center band is usually orange or red in color.
- Blue: This variety has a blue body with black bands. The center band is usually the darkest in color.
- Green: This variety has a green body with black bands. The center band is usually the darkest in color.
- Pink: This variety has a pink body with black bands. The center band is usually the darkest in color.
- Red: This variety has a red body with black bands. The center band is usually the darkest in color.
- Yellow: This variety has a yellow body with black bands. The center band is usually the darkest in color.
Size & Lifespan
Although accurate information about their size is available online, their lifespan in the wild is unknown.
They can grow to be about 2-3 inches long. In captivity, they typically live for 3-5 years but have been known to live up to 10 years with proper care.
Banded Corydoras are a peaceful species that do well in groups. They prefer to be in groups of 6 or more but can do well in smaller groups.
Banded Corydoras grow relatively quickly, reaching their full size of 2-3 inches within 6-12 months. Once they reach adulthood, their growth rate slows down considerably.
They are a hardy species that is easy to care for, making them a good choice for beginner aquarium hobbyists.
Behavior
Banded Corydoras are a peaceful and social species that do well in groups. They prefer to be in groups of 6 or more but can do well in smaller groups.
They are a bottom-dwelling species that spend most of their time near the substrate, looking for food. They are not a particularly active species and prefer to stay close to the bottom of the tank.
Banded Corydoras are a peaceful species that gets along well with other fish. They can be kept with a wide variety of fish, as long as the other fish are not too aggressive.
They are a hardy species that is easy to care for, making them a good choice for beginner aquarium hobbyists.
Care guide for Banded Corydoras
Although they are easy to care for, some guidelines exist for adding them to an aquarium tank.
In this part, I will analyze how to take care of them in an aquarium tank in a simple way.
Perfect Size Aquarium Tank
The Corydoras is a schooling fish, so you must have at least 5 of them in your aquarium tank. A 20-gallon tank is a perfect size for these little guys.
But if you want to keep more than 5 of them, I recommend getting a bigger tank. The bigger, the better.
The Right Water Conditions
Corydoras are freshwater fish, so you must have the right water conditions in your aquarium tank.
The pH level should be between 6.8 and 7.2, and the temperature should be between 72 and 79 degrees Fahrenheit.
You will also need to have a good filter and a good quality of water.
The Feeding Of Brochis Britskii
Corydoras are omnivores so they will eat both meat and plants.
You can feed them freeze-dried bloodworms, brine shrimp, or earthworms. You can also give them vegetables like spinach or zucchini.
I would recommend feeding them 2-3 times a day.
And that’s pretty much it! By following these simple guidelines, you can take care of your Banded Corydoras easily. Enjoy your new fish!
Habitat And Ecology
Banded Corydoras are found in slow-moving rivers and streams with a sandy substrate. They are a bottom-dwelling species that spend most of their time near the substrate, looking for food.
They are native to South America and can be found in Brazil, Peru, and Colombia.
Banded Corydoras are a peaceful and social species that do well in groups. They prefer to be in groups of 6 or more but can do well in smaller groups.
They are a hardy species that is easy to care for, making them a good choice for beginner aquarium hobbyists.
Optimal Tank Conditions
| Water Type: | Slow-Moving Freshwater |
| Tank Size: | 20 gallons |
| Water Temperature: | 72-79 degrees |
| Substrate: | Sandy |
| Tank Setup: | Aquarium with a lid |
| Acidity: | 6.8-7.2 pH |
| Water Hardness: | Soft to Moderately Hard |
| Salinity: | 0ppm |
| Filter: | Yes |
| Bubbler: | Optional |
| Lighting: | Yes |
| Water Heater: | Optional |
The optimal tank conditions for a slow-moving freshwater aquarium are a sandy substrate, a water temperature of 72-79 degrees, and a pH of 6.8-7.2.
The tank should be covered and have a filter installed. A bubbler is optional, but lighting and a water heater are not required.
For a 20-gallon tank, the appropriate stocking levels would be:
- 2 Corydoras Catfish per 5 gallons of water
If you plan on keeping live plants in your aquarium, adding them before adding any fish is recommended.
This will allow the plants to establish themselves before the fish start digging around in the substrate.
Tank Mates
When choosing tank mates for your slow-moving freshwater aquarium, it is essential to consider the fish’s size, temperament, and activity level.
Corydoras Catfish are a good choice for a slow-moving aquarium because they are peaceful and relatively small. They will also help clean the substrate by sifting through it for food.
Other good choices for tank mates include:
- Guppies
- Mollies
- Platies
- Swordtails
- Danios
- Tetras
- Barbs
Avoid putting fish together that are known to be aggressive or nippy. This includes fish like Oscars, Cichlids, and certain species of Tetras.
Breeding Your Banded Corydoras
If you’re thinking about breeding your banded Corydoras, you should know a few things. First, you’ll need to purchase a second tank to live in while they’re spawning.
This is because the fry (baby fish) are tiny and need a lot of space to swim around. A 10-gallon tank is a good size for breeding.
You’ll also need to add some plants to the tank. Java fern and anubias are good choices because they don’t need intense lighting.
Spawning usually happens at night, so you may not see it happening. The female will lay her eggs on a leaf or the tank glass, and the male will fertilize them.
After about a week, the eggs will hatch, and the fry will start to swim around. You can feed them baby brine shrimp or crushed flake food.
Removing the parents from the tank after spawning is best because they may eat their own fry. Congrats! You are now the proud parent of some adorable banded corydoras fry.
Common disease Banded Corydoras
If you notice your banded Corydoras acting strangely, it could signify disease. Some common conditions that affect this fish include:
Ich: Also known as white spot disease, ich is a parasite that attacks the fish’s skin. Symptoms include white spots on the body and fins, increased scratching, and listlessness.
Columnaris: This bacterial infection attacks the gills, skin, and fins of the fish. Symptoms include frayed fins, red spots on the body, and increased mucus production.
Gill flukes are parasites that attach themselves to the fish’s gills. Symptoms include gill inflammation, increased mucus production, and difficulty breathing.
If you notice any of these symptoms, you must take your fish to the vet as soon as possible. They will be able to diagnose the disease and prescribe the appropriate treatment.
Your banded Corydoras will live a long and happy life with proper care. Enjoy watching them swim around and explore their tank!
10 Pro Tips for Keeping Banded Corydoras in an Aquarium
1. Corydoras catfish are a good choice for a slow-moving aquarium because they are peaceful and relatively small.
2. Other good choices for tank mates include guppies, mollies, platies, swordtails, danios, tetras, and barbs.
3. Avoid putting fish together that are known to be aggressive or nippy.
4. If you’re thinking about breeding your banded Corydoras, you’ll need to purchase a second tank for them to live in while they’re spawning.
5. Spawning usually happens at night, so you may not see it happening. The female will lay her eggs on a leaf or the tank glass, and the male will fertilize them.
6. After about a week, the eggs will hatch, and the fry will start to swim around. You can feed them baby brine shrimp or crushed flake food.
7. Removing the parents from the tank after spawning is best because they may eat their own fry.
8. If you notice your banded Corydoras acting strangely, it could be a sign of disease. Some common conditions that affect this fish include ich, columnar, and gill flukes.
9. If you notice any of these symptoms, it’s essential to take your fish to the vet as soon as possible. They will be able to diagnose the disease and prescribe the appropriate treatment.
10. With proper care, your banded Corydoras will live a long and happy life. Enjoy watching them swim around and explore their tank!
Now you know everything you need to know about keeping banded Corydoras in an aquarium!
Which Reasons Should You Keep Banded Corydoras in Your Aquarium?
If you’re looking for a peaceful, hardy, and social fish for your aquarium, look no further than the banded Corydoras!
These little freshwater fish are perfect for beginners and experienced fish keepers alike and will quickly become a much-loved member of your tank.
Here are just a few reasons why you should consider keeping banded Corydoras in your aquarium:
They’re Peaceful Fish
If you’re looking for a peaceful fish to add to your tank, banded Corydoras are a great choice.
These little fish get along well with other peaceful species and won’t cause any trouble in your tank.
They’re Hardy Fish
Banded Corydoras are very hardy fish and can withstand a wide range of water conditions.
This makes them ideal for beginner fish keepers, as they’re easy to care for and less likely to succumb to the disease.
They’re Social Fish
Banded Corydoras are very social fish and do best when kept in groups.
They’ll often shoal together, and you’ll often see them swimming and playing in your tank.
They’re Great Cleaners
Banded Corydoras are great at helping to keep your tank clean.
These little fish are constantly on the go and will happily eat any uneaten food or waste in your tank. This helps keep your water quality high and your tank clean and tidy.
They’re Fun to Watch
Banded Corydoras are very active little fish and are great to watch.
Their playful nature and social behavior make them a joy to watch, and you’ll often spend hours watching them play.
So, if you’re looking for a peaceful, hardy, social, and fun fish for your aquarium, then banded Corydoras are a perfect choice!
History And First Sighting
The first recorded sighting of the banded Corydoras was in 1824 by German zoologist Heinrich Rudolph Schinz.
At the time, Schinz gave the fish the scientific name Corydoras aeneus, which is still used today.
The fish was initially found in the Paraguay River in South America but has since been found in several other rivers and streams.
The banded Corydoras is a popular fish among aquarium enthusiasts, and is frequently seen in pet stores and online.
If you’re thinking about adding one (or more!) of these little fish to your tank, read on to find out everything you need to know about them!
My Thoughts
Banded Corydoras are an excellent choice for any fish keeper, beginner, or experienced.
These little fish are peaceful, hardy, and social and make a great addition to any tank. They’re also great cleaners and fun to watch, which makes them even more enjoyable to keep.
If you’re looking for a fish that’s easy to care for and that will quickly become a much-loved member of your tank, banded Corydoras are a perfect choice!