Home · Callichthyidae · Leopard corydoras
Leopard corydoras (Corydoras leopardus) — Callichthyidae

Leopard corydoras

Corydoras leopardus

The Leopard corydoras (Corydoras leopardus) is a freshwater fish of the family Callichthyidae that grows up to 6 cm.

Length
6.1 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Omnivore
Behaviour
Schooling
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Commonly eaten

Description

The leopard corydoras is a small armoured catfish (Callichthyidae) from clear streams of the upper Amazon region in South America. The species grows to about 6 cm and has a whitish body with two rows of bony plates, a pointed snout and a fine pattern of black spots and lines, like a leopard. As a bottom-dweller it probes soft sand with its barbels in groups for worms, crustaceans and insect larvae. The fish is harmless to humans and is loved in the aquarium trade.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Leopard corydoras?

The Leopard corydoras has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly white and shows a spots pattern.

Where does the Leopard corydoras live?

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

How big does the Leopard corydoras get?

The Leopard corydoras grows to a maximum of about 6 cm.

Is the Leopard corydoras dangerous to humans?

No, the Leopard corydoras is harmless to humans.

Is the Leopard corydoras edible?

Yes, the Leopard corydoras is commonly eaten.

Download Fin's Fish Guide

Identify fish in seconds, log your catches and dives. Join the TestFlight beta.

Get the beta →

All data

Identification

Dutch name
Luipaard-pantsermeerval sourced
English name
Leopard corydoras sourced
Scientific name
Corydoras leopardus
Family
Callichthyidae
Other names
Leopard cory verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
6.1 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
White 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
Social behaviour
Schooling sourced
Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Nocturnal inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten inferred
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

Download Fin's Fish Guide

Identify fish in seconds, log your catches and dives. Join the TestFlight beta.

Get the beta →