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Bronze catfish (Corydoras aeneus) — Callichthyidae

Bronze catfish

Corydoras aeneus
LC · Least Concern

The Bronze catfish (Corydoras aeneus) is a freshwater fish of the family Callichthyidae that grows up to 8 cm.

Length
7.5 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Omnivore
Behaviour
Large groups
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Not eaten

Description

The bronze corydoras is an armoured catfish (Callichthyidae) from northern and central South America. The species has a stocky body armoured with two rows of bony plates, a bronze-green to coppery sheen and barbels around the inferior mouth. It lives mainly in calm, shallow waters with a soft bottom, but also in flowing water, and gulps air at the surface that takes up oxygen in the gut. As an omnivore it roots in the bottom for worms, insect larvae and organic material. It is a very popular aquarium fish. The stout pectoral fin spines can give a painful puncture wound when handled.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Bronze catfish?

The Bronze catfish has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly brown and shows a plain pattern.

Where does the Bronze catfish live?

The Bronze catfish lives in fresh water and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom.

How big does the Bronze catfish get?

The Bronze catfish grows to a maximum of about 8 cm.

Is the Bronze catfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Bronze catfish is harmless to humans.

Is the Bronze catfish edible?

The Bronze catfish is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Metaalglans-pantsermeerval sourced
English name
Bronze catfish verified
Scientific name
Corydoras aeneus
Family
Callichthyidae
Other names
Bronze catfish; Bronze corydoras; Catfish verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
7.5 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Brown inferred
Pattern
Plain inferred
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Mouth position
Inferior (downward) inferred
Lips
Thick / fleshy inferred
Barbels
Yes sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous inferred
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Omnivore sourced
Social behaviour
Large groups inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Nocturnal inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten sourced
Fishing method
Geen doelsoort voor de hengelsport; hooguit incidentele vangst of bruikbaar als aasvisje. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Corydoras

More from the family Callichthyidae

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