fish · Callichthyidae
Agassiz's corydoras
Corydoras agassizii
Wild range: Upper Amazon River basin near the Brazil–Peru–Colombia border (type locality Amazon River near Tabatinga, Amazonas, Brazil; also recorded from Río Nanay near Iquitos, Peru) (South America)
At a glance: Agassiz's corydoras care
Compiled reference information. Review the care notes and original sources below.
What temperature is listed for Agassiz's corydoras?
The compiled profile lists 22.0–26.0 °C for Agassiz's corydoras (Corydoras agassizii). Check the original sources below for context and differing recommendations.
What tank size is listed for Agassiz's corydoras?
The profile lists a minimum tank volume of 20.0 US gallons (76.0 liters). Volume alone does not establish suitability; consider dimensions, group size and other inhabitants alongside the full care notes.
What pH is listed for Agassiz's corydoras?
The compiled profile lists a pH of 6.0–8.0. Review the cited care sources alongside the other water parameters in this profile.
Natural habitat
Small spotted callichthyid armored catfish of the upper Amazon near the Tres Fronteras region. Facultative air-breather and demersal forager over sand/detritus with leaf litter and quiet margins. Trade “spotted / Agassiz’s cory” labels are frequently misapplied to similar species (especially Corydoras ambiacus) — confirm dorsal-fin pattern when possible (Steindachner: first three dorsal rays black).
Where they are found
Catalog primary locked as Corydoras agassizii Steindachner, 1876 per inventory/trade lock, ITIS Current Standing valid (TSN 164291, common name Agassiz's corydoras), and historical aquarium usage. Eschmeyer Catalog of Fishes Current status Valid as Brochis agassizii (Steindachner 1876) after Dias et al. 2024 (Zool. J. Linn. Soc.) Corydoradinae reclassification; FishBase summary now also heads the page as Brochis agassizii — Brochis agassizii recorded in aliases and here as the newer CoF/FishBase combination, not adopted as primary (Scott naming rule 2026-09-24). Planet Catfish likewise files the species under Brochis (sub-clade 3) agassizii. Distribution: South America — Amazon basin near Brazil/Peru border (Brazil, Colombia, Peru) per CoF/FishBase/Seriously Fish. TRADE WARNING: Seriously Fish and Planet Catfish note the name is commonly misapplied to similar spotted corys (most often C. ambiacus Cope 1872); colour pattern is variable and locality is often unknown in LFS stock — treat pet-store “C. agassizii / spotted cory” labels cautiously and prefer seller locality data when available.
Aquarium care
Peaceful schooling bottom-dweller for a cycled freshwater community. Locked minimum 20 US gallons (~76 L) for a group of six (Aquarium Co-Op general Corydoras guidance ≥20 gal for most non-dwarf species; TankFlare 20 gal; Guidarium cites ≥60 L / ≥60 cm length as a volume/footprint floor — prefer a long footprint over a tall nano). Soft-to-medium water ~22–26°C, pH ~6.0–8.0, GH ~2–15 dGH (FishBase 22–26°C / pH 6.0–8.0 / dH 2–25; Planet Catfish 22–26°C / pH 6.0–8.0 / dH 2–25; Seriously Fish 22–27°C / pH 6.0–8.0 / 2–12 dGH; Guidarium 22–27°C / pH 6–8 / 2–15 dGH — locked core overlap 22–26°C, 6.0–8.0, 2–15 with SF hardness upper ≤12 and SF/Guidarium temp upper to 27°C noted). Fine sand preferred (Planet Catfish / Seriously Fish / Guidarium); smooth rounded gravel acceptable if kept clean — avoid sharp gravel that can damage barbels. Provide open foraging lanes plus driftwood, leaf litter, and plant shade. Gentle-to-moderate flow, good oxygenation (facultative air-breather — expect occasional surface gulps), and low nitrates. Beginner-friendly when water quality and group size are respected.
Feeding
Foraging omnivore — do not rely on leftover scraps or algae alone (Seriously Fish, Planet Catfish, Aquarium Co-Op). Offer sinking wafers/tablets/granules plus regular live or frozen bloodworm, Tubifex, Daphnia, grindal/white worm, and occasional gel foods. Feed after lights-out or target-feed the bottom so midwater fish do not monopolize food.
Compatibility
Peaceful community fish when kept in a shoal of at least six (Seriously Fish 4–6; Planet Catfish / Guidarium / Aquarium Co-Op prefer 6+). Excellent with similarly peaceful mid/upper swimmers (tetras, rasboras, small peaceful barbs, dwarf cichlids in soft water). Avoid large predatory tankmates and aggressive diggers that outcompete them for food. Distinct from skunk-corydoras (C. arcuatus / Brochis arcuatus, still missing) and from other spotted trade corys often sold under this name.
Breeding
FishBase documents classic Corydoras T-position spawning (female holds 2–4 eggs in pelvic fins for fertilization, then attaches sticky eggs; repeats to ~100 eggs; Ref. 1672). Planet Catfish currently lists confirmed aquarium breeding for this species as unreported — many “agassizii” reports may involve misidentified ambiacus-group stock. Soft, slightly acidic water, cooler water changes, and heavy conditioning with live foods trigger many Corydoras; remove adults after spawning (no parental care).
Sources
Compiled from multiple independent care sheets — not copied from a single site.