Elegant Corydoras

The elegant corydoras is recognized by the dark horizontal bands running along its body and the pale stripe between them; the pattern is usually more distinct in males. Unlike most corydoras, it spends part of its time swimming in a group in midwater among the plants. The similarly patterned and similarly behaving C. nanus comes from Suriname and French Guiana; the two are often confused in stores. Adults are around 5 cm.

• At least 60 liters for a group of 8–12.
• Fine sand substrate and plenty of plants; plant clusters it can move around in midwater.
• 22–26°C, soft to moderately hard, clean and well-oxygenated water; a 25% water change every week.
• An open sand area at the front helps it find food easily.

Make sinking tablets and granules the staple; vary the diet with frozen bloodworms, brine shrimp and daphnia. Because it swims in midwater, it catches some of the food in the water column, but make sure enough food reaches the bottom.

Peaceful and active; swimming together in midwater is seen more often in a large group. It does not harm fish or shrimp.

Good companions: small tetras, rasboras, otocinclus, dwarf shrimp, other peaceful corydoras.

Avoid: cichlids that claim the bottom, large fish it would fit into the mouth of, fin-nipping species.