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Elegant corydoras (Corydoras elegans) — Callichthyidae

Elegant corydoras

Corydoras elegans

The Elegant corydoras (Corydoras elegans) is a freshwater fish of the family Callichthyidae that grows up to 5 cm.

Length
5.1 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Omnivore
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless

Description

The Elegant corydoras is a small armoured catfish (Callichthyidae) from fresh water of the western Amazon basin in South America. The species grows to about 5 cm and has a stocky body with two rows of overlapping bony plates and three pairs of barbels around an underslung mouth. Males show dark longitudinal bands in courtship; the species often swims in open water. As a gregarious bottom-dweller it roots in groups through soft sand in search of worms, larvae and detritus and can take a gulp of air at the surface. The fish is harmless to humans and is popular in the aquarium trade.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Elegant corydoras?

The Elegant corydoras has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly brown and shows a spots pattern.

Where does the Elegant corydoras live?

The Elegant corydoras lives in fresh water and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom.

How big does the Elegant corydoras get?

The Elegant corydoras grows to a maximum of about 5 cm.

Is the Elegant corydoras dangerous to humans?

No, the Elegant corydoras is harmless to humans.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Elegante pantsermeerval sourced
English name
Elegant corydoras sourced
Scientific name
Corydoras elegans
Family
Callichthyidae
Other names
Elegant corydoras verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
5.1 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Pattern
Spots sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Barbels
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

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

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Omnivore inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Nocturnal inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Fishing method
Klein van stuk en nauwelijks een hengelsportdoel; wordt vooral incidenteel of als aasvis gevangen. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified

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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