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Bearded Corydoras

Scleromystax barbatus

Freshwater South America Usually captive bred

A magnificent, large callichthyid featuring striking checkerboard patterning and bristly facial odontodes on mature males. They prefer cooler subtropical temperatures than typical tropical catfish. Crucially, keeping them in warm waters accelerates their metabolism and causes early demise; provide soft sand to protect their delicate barbels.

Also called: Banded corydoras, Bearded catfish.

9.5 cm adult length, drawn to scale. torpedo body.

Try it in the planner Opens a tank sized to its minimum with 5 fish added.

What it needs

ItemValueBecause
Adult length 9.5 cm Used for the Space check: the tank must be long enough for the fish to turn round.
Smallest tank 150 L, at least 90 cm long estimated The least water and floor length this species is kept in for good, as a single fish or smallest group.
Extra water per added fish 20 L estimated What each further fish adds once the minimum is met.
Waste load Class 3 of 5 estimated How much waste an adult makes against its size. Feeds the Load check.
Temperature 16 to 22 C Stock sharing a tank need overlapping ranges.
pH 6 to 7.2 Compared with tankmates in the Water check.
Hardness GH 2 to 12, KH 1 to 6 Degrees of general and carbonate hardness.
Flow Medium Low-flow fish are stressed in a strong current.
Light Moderate Matched to the lighting class on the needs sheet.
Group size At least 5, ideally 8 Kept alone or in small numbers it hides, fades or turns on tankmates.
Temperament Peaceful Territorial: weak.
Swims in Near the bottom Fish that use different levels share a tank more easily.
Lifespan About 8 years A fish is a long commitment.
Experience Some experience helps A guide to how forgiving the species is of mistakes.

Tags marked estimated are judged from the size and habits of the species rather than measured, so treat them as a sensible default.

Diet and tank layout

Bearded Corydoras is an omnivore that swims in the lowest part of the tank. It is safe with plants. Give it some cover.

Tankmates

Works with

No close matches in the data. Check the pair tool.

Depends

Avoid

Compare any two fish on the compatibility page, or print the equipment for a stock on the needs sheet. How this is worked out: the method.