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Banded Corydoras

By The Aquarium Calculators Editorial Team ·

Scleromystax barbatus

Complete Banded Corydoras care guide covering omnivore diet requirements, peaceful temperament, minimum 30 Gallons tank setup, and compatible freshwater tankmates. Difficulty: Easy.

Banded Corydoras

Quick Answer

Banded Corydoras (Scleromystax barbatus) is a larger, distinctive cory from southern Brazil. It requires a minimum 30 Gallons aquarium with a pH of 6.0 - 7.5 and temperature range of 20-24°C. This omnivore occupies the bottom zone and makes an excellent addition to community setups.

Intro

Banded Corydoras (Scleromystax barbatus) is a larger, distinctive cory from southern Brazil. It has vertical dark bands and a longer snout than other corys.

Setup

A 30-gallon or larger tank with fine sand substrate, caves, and driftwood. They prefer cooler temperatures than most tropical fish (20-24°C).

Feeding

Omnivorous; eats sinking pellets, algae wafers, frozen bloodworms, brine shrimp, and blanched vegetables.

Compatibility

Peaceful. Keep in groups of 6+. Good with other cool-water fish: white cloud minnows, gold barbs, danios. Avoid warm-water tropical fish.

Tank Position
Bottom
Water Temp
20-24°C
Adult Size
See profile
Water pH
6.0 - 7.5

Species Characteristics

Adult Size
Lifespan
Growth Rate
moderate
Tank Compatibility
Community compatible
Indoor Aquarium
Yes

Water Parameters

Water Temperature
Humidity
Water pH

Tank Lighting

Tank Lighting
Standard lighting
Light Hours
N/A
Intensity
moderate

Feeding & Diet

Diet Type
Diet: Omnivore
Feeding Schedule
N/A
Live Food Options
N/A

Continue Learning

Recommended Tools

Fish Compatibility Calculator fish compatibility

Health & Disease

Ich (White Spot Disease) common disease • all fish

Related Guides

Understanding pH in Aquariums water parameters • ph

Similar Species

African Red Eyed Tetra Care Guide: Schooling & Tank Size semanticSimilarity Apistogramma Care Guide: Temperament & Diet semanticSimilarity Black Neon Tetra Care Guide: Tank Size & Diet semanticSimilarity

Frequently Asked Questions

How many Banded Corydoras should be kept together?
Maintain a minimum group of 6 to 8 individuals of the same species (Scleromystax barbatus) in a tank with a footprint of 30x12 inches (75x30 cm) and volume of 20 gallons (75 liters). Banded Corydoras are highly social bottom dwellers; groups under 5 exhibit chronic stress, hiding, and suppressed immune function. Unlike standard corys, they require cooler water (68°F-74°F/20°C-23°C) and higher oxygen. Provide a fine sand substrate (depth 1-2 inches/2.5-5 cm) to protect barbels. Keep 1 male per 2 females to reduce breeding stress.
What are the exact water parameters for Banded Corydoras?
Target pH 6.0 - 7.2, General Hardness 2 - 10 dGH, Carbonate Hardness 2 - 8 dKH, Total Dissolved Solids 80 - 200 ppm, Electrical Conductivity 150 - 400 μS/cm, and temperature 68°F - 74°F (20°C - 23°C). They are sensitive to high temperatures (above 75°F/24°C), which cause bacterial infections and shortened lifespan. Maintain nitrates below 15 ppm with weekly 25% water changes. Use a powerful sponge filter or canister with high oxygenation. Adding driftwood and Indian almond leaves mimics their South American habitat. Avoid salt entirely (0 ppt).
What is the dietary and medication protocol for Banded Corydoras?
They are benthic omnivores requiring 35% protein, 10% fat, 55% plant matter. Feed sinking pellets (Hikari Sinking Wafers), shrimp wafers, and frozen bloodworms (chopped) daily. Supplement with live blackworms, daphnia, and blanched cucumber slices. Ensure food reaches the bottom within 30 seconds; surface leftovers cause starvation. Medication alert: Extremely sensitive to copper (0.1 mg/L lethal) and formalin. Scaleless skin absorbs chemicals rapidly; use malachite green at quarter dose (0.025 mg/L). Praziquantel is safe. Avoid salt (tolerance <2 ppt). Quarantine with metronidazole at half-strength.
How to breed Banded Corydoras with environmental triggers?
Condition a group of 6 with live blackworms and bloodworms for 2 weeks. Simulate dry season: Lower water level to 5 inches (12 cm) and raise temperature to 74°F (23°C) for 7 days. Trigger breeding: Perform 50% water change with cool (60°F/15°C) RO water (pH 6.5, 2 dGH) over 2 hours, mimicking heavy rain. Increase aeration. The female adopts a 'T-position' and lays 100-200 adhesive eggs on glass, plants, or mops. Remove parents after spawning. Eggs hatch in 4-5 days at 70°F (21°C). Fry feed on infusoria for 3 days, then microworms, then baby brine shrimp after day 7.

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