Adolfo's Cory

Adolfo's cory is one of the most elegant corydoras, thanks to the crisp markings on its plain white-cream body: a black band running over the eye, a thin black stripe along the top of the back from below the dorsal fin to the caudal peduncle, and a bright orange patch on the nape behind the head. Adults reach 5–6 cm.

It is confused with the very similar C. duplicareus. The most obvious feature separating the two is the dorsal stripe: in adolfoi the stripe is narrow and follows the upper line of the back; in duplicareus it is a thick band about twice as wide that spills over onto the sides.

Because it comes from blackwater, it is more sensitive than corydoras that tolerate sudden water changes and pollution; it needs a mature aquarium.

It lives in small blackwater streams in the upper Rio Negro, around São Gabriel da Cachoeira. These waters are stained tea-colored by tannins, very soft and acidic; the bottom is covered with sand and accumulations of leaves.

• Volume: at least 60 liters for a group of 6–10; a large footprint.
• Substrate: fine, soft sand; a few dried catappa (Indian almond) or oak leaves on top.
• Water: 22–26°C; pH 5–7, soft water. Stable values matter more than hitting a particular number.
• Maintenance: 20–30% water change weekly; it is sensitive to nitrate buildup. It should not be put into a newly set-up aquarium.

Sinking granules and tablets; frozen bloodworms, brine shrimp and daphnia. Wild-caught fish may refuse dry food in the first days; start with frozen food and switch them gradually to dry food.

A peaceful, calm bottom dweller. It becomes bolder in a large group of its own kind; kept alone or in very small numbers, it hides.

Good companions: cardinal and neon tetras, rummy-nose tetras, pencilfish, apistogrammas, otocinclus and other small fish that need soft water.

Avoid: cichlids that claim the bottom, large and boisterous fish, species that need hard, alkaline water.

At least 6, ideally 10 or more individuals. It can form a mixed group with duplicareus, but separate groups are recommended to prevent hybridization and keep the species pure. For breeding, a ratio of 2 males to each female is suitable.

It is bred in the aquarium, but not as easily as aeneus. Soft, acidic water and a somewhat cooler water change can trigger spawning. The female sticks the eggs one by one to the glass and leaves; the eggs are sensitive to fungus. The fry are raised in clean, soft water on microworms and freshly hatched brine shrimp.

• Newly arrived fish are sensitive to shipping stress and water changes; slow acclimation (drip method) is recommended.
• Barbel erosion: sharp or dirty substrate.
• It is sensitive to salt and copper-based medications.

Viewed from above, females are broader and plumper; males are slimmer and slightly smaller.