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Rio Napo cory (Corydoras napoensis) — Callichthyidae

Rio Napo cory

Corydoras napoensis

The Rio Napo cory (Corydoras napoensis) is a freshwater fish of the family Callichthyidae that grows up to 4 cm.

Length
4.2 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Omnivore
Behaviour
Schooling
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
South America: Ecuador, Peru
Edibility
Commonly eaten

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Description

The Rio Napo cory is a small armoured catfish (Callichthyidae) from the Napo drainage in the western Amazon basin, South America. The species grows to about 4 cm and has a stocky body with two rows of bony plates, a dark eye band and a pattern of spots. As a bottom-dweller it probes soft sand with its barbels for worms, crustaceans and insect larvae. It lives in groups. The fish is harmless to humans and is prized in the aquarium trade.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Rio Napo cory?

The Rio Napo cory has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a spots pattern.

Where does the Rio Napo cory live?

The Rio Napo cory lives in fresh water and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. South America: Ecuador, Peru

How big does the Rio Napo cory get?

The Rio Napo cory grows to a maximum of about 4 cm.

Is the Rio Napo cory dangerous to humans?

No, the Rio Napo cory is harmless to humans. This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status.

Is the Rio Napo cory edible?

Yes, the Rio Napo cory is commonly eaten.

More photos

Rio Napo cory (Corydoras napoensis) — Callichthyidae — 2
Division of Fishes (CC0 1.0) via GBIF — USNM
Rio Napo cory (Corydoras napoensis) — Callichthyidae — 3
Wikimedia Commons — BRKOSLAV SEVERNÍ (CC0)
Rio Napo cory (Corydoras napoensis) — Callichthyidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) lucaecose, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Rio Napo cory sourced
Scientific name
Corydoras napoensis
Family
Callichthyidae

Appearance

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

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Natural range
South America: Ecuador, Peru sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Omnivore inferred
Diet (detail)
Invertebrates, algae and detritus inferred
Social behaviour
Schooling sourced
Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Nocturnal inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten inferred
Fishing method
Small in size and barely an angling target; mostly caught incidentally or as baitfish. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified
First aid
This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status. 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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