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Scientific Name Corydoras (lineage 5) elegans  Steindachner, 1876
Common Names Elegant Cory
Elegant Pansermalle (Denmark), Panzerwels/Corydoras - Catfish (Germany)
Type Locality Amazon River at Tefé, Amazonas, Brazil.
Synonym(s) Cordoras elegans, Corydoras elegans, Corydoras pestai, Corydorus elegans
Pronunciation kor ee doh rass (lineage five). - ELL ee ganz
Etymology Cory = helmet, doras = skin. In this case it was incorrectly used to mean armour (cuirasse) instead of skin in allusion to the dual rows of plates that run along the flanks of this genus. From the Latin, elegans meaning tasteful, fine.
Hop to next section Species Information
Size 51mm or 2" SL. Find near, nearer or same sized spp.
Identification A very variable species not made easier to identify by the difference in colouration of mature males and females. Similar to C. napoensis, C. nanus and C. sp. CW044 (often called C. pestai), C. undulatus and a few variations thereof.
Sexing As depicted above, the male is smaller, less high bodied, slender and more strikingly patterned.
Hop to next section Habitat Information
Distribution South America: Upper Amazon River basin.
Amazon, Middle Amazon (Solimoes) (click on these areas to find other species found there)
Amazon, Upper Amazon, Napo, Aguarico (click on these areas to find other species found there)
Amazon, Upper Amazon, Napo (click on these areas to find other species found there)
Amazon, Upper Amazon, Marañón, Ucayali (click on these areas to find other species found there)
Amazon, Upper Amazon, Ampiyacu (click on these areas to find other species found there)
Amazon, Upper Amazon, Nanay (click on these areas to find other species found there)
Amazon, Upper Amazon, Marañón, Ucayali, Upper Ucayali, Tamaya (click on these areas to find other species found there)
Amazon, Upper Amazon, Yavari (click on these areas to find other species found there)
Amazon, Middle Amazon (Solimoes), Japurá, Caquetá (click on these areas to find other species found there)

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IUCN Red List Category Least Concern, range map and more is available on the IUCN species page. Last assessed 2020.
pH 6.0 - 7.4
Temperature 22.0-25.0°C or 71.6-77°F (Show species within this range)
Other Parameters Water composition not vital but slightly softer water within the above ranges will bring out the best colouration in the males.
Hop to next section Husbandry Information
Feeding Flake, tablets. Live food such as whiteworm, bloodworm, brineshrimp and tubifex (sparingly). Frozen bloodworm is more easily supplied and seems to bring on growth in sub-adults very satisfactorily. User data.
Furniture This fish quite likes mid-water and so provide shady open space surrounded by low plants to provide cover and a few refuges at the outskirts of the main swimming area.
Compatibility As for all Corys, a perfect citizen.
Suggested Tankmates Other similar Corydoras, dwarf cichlids and tetras. A robust species that will adapt to larger peaceful tankmates. Keep in a shoal of at least 6.
Breeding Interesting in that this fish is not reported to follow the usual Corydoras method of reproduction. Eggs are laid by the female and placed by the female in the usual manner, but the preceding T-position clinch does not occur. Fertilisation appears to occur after the eggs are placed on plants or the aquarium glass. Fry emerge after 3 days and are free swimming in another two. The fry are quite small and should be offered small foods such as microworm or powdered pre-soaked flake food. It is also reported that males become very aggressive in the lead up to spawning and no more than three are suggested.
Breeding Reports There is no breeding report.
Hop to next section Further Information
Reference Sitzungsberichte der Kaiserlichen Akademie der Wissenschaften. Mathematisch-Naturwissenschaftliche Classe v. 74 (1. Abth.), pp 141 [93].
Registered Keepers There is no registered keeper.
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There are 4 records of this fish being seen, view them all.
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Last Update 2022 Nov 12 08:55 (species record created: 2001 Apr 30 00:00)