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Narrowhead cory (Corydoras stenocephalus) — Callichthyidae

Narrowhead cory

Corydoras stenocephalus

The Narrowhead cory (Corydoras stenocephalus) is a freshwater fish of the family Callichthyidae that grows up to 6 cm.

Length
6.3 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Omnivore
Behaviour
Schooling
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Venomous / poisonous

Description

The Narrowhead cory is an armoured catfish (Callichthyidae) from fresh water of the upper Amazon basin in South America. The species grows to about 6-9 cm and has a stocky body armoured with two rows of bony plates, barbels around the inferior mouth and a narrow head and a brown-spotted body. As a calm, social bottom-dweller it searches sand and mud bottoms in schools for worms, insect larvae and plant material. The stout spines in the dorsal and pectoral fins carry a mild venom and can give a painful puncture wound.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Narrowhead cory?

The Narrowhead cory has a torpedo-shaped body and is mainly brown.

Where does the Narrowhead cory live?

The Narrowhead cory lives in fresh water and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom.

How big does the Narrowhead cory get?

The Narrowhead cory grows to a maximum of about 6 cm.

Is the Narrowhead cory dangerous to humans?

The Narrowhead cory is venomous — handle spines with care and seek medical help after a sting if needed.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Smalkop-pantsermeerval sourced
English name
Narrowhead cory sourced
Scientific name
Corydoras stenocephalus
Family
Callichthyidae
Other names
Huangana cory sourced

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
6.3 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Barbels
Yes sourced
Dorsal spines
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

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
Venomous / poisonous 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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