Dwarf Cory

Corydoras hastatus

Corydoras hastatus, along with the pygmaeus, is one of the fascinating members of the "micro-corydoras". Slightly more tapered and with a very distinctive arrowhead pattern (hence hastatus) at the base of the tail, this species spends even more time actively swimming mid-water. The hastatus presents exceptional schooling and mimetic behavior in nature, often associating with small tetras of the same color. Extremely peaceful but fragile, it requires dedication to feeding due to its tiny oral cavity.

Family: Callichthyidae
Origin: Sud America (Bacini amazzonici centrali e meridionali e fiume Paraguay)
Tank use: Used in 0 tanks

Temperature

20 °C - 26 °C

6 - 7.5

Water type

Freshwater

Tank level

Zona media. A differenza del classico Corydoras, l'hastatus si solleva dal fondo e "fluttua" a mezz'acqua, spesso riposando su foglie larghe.

Adult size

3 cm

Description

Origin and Morphology:

Native to the central Amazon basin and the Paraguay river. The name hastatus comes from the Latin "spear or arrow", referring to the unmistakable large black arrowhead-shaped spot located on the caudal peduncle, bordered above and below by bright white.

Behavior:

Its propensity for free swimming mid-water is even more pronounced than other Corydoras. They can literally hover for minutes in front of a gentle current flow in tight groups of 15-20 individuals, creating a magical effect in the tank.

Care and observations

Tank Setup:

Just like their pygmaeus cousins, they strictly need a fine, rounded sand substrate. Tiny 30-40 liter tanks are ideal if well-managed. The setup requires dense shaded areas, tangled roots covered in moss for spawning, and broad foliage as resting beds for the schools.

Diet:

Their oral cavity is microscopic. Normal pellets and flakes are inadequate. It is fundamental to crush everything into powder and regularly administer abundant brine shrimp nauplii or microworms.

Water Quality:

Very tolerant if acclimated properly (pH 6-7.5), but they detest accumulations of organic dirt on the bottom which quickly destroy their vital barbels.

Fish profile

Temperament: Totalmente pacifico e gregario. Tende ad associarsi in natura e in vasca con i piccoli caracidi (come alcuni Tetra che ne condividono il pattern).
Diet: Micro-predatore e onnivoro. Le sue dimensioni minuscole richiedono naupli d'artemia salina, micro-dafnie, microworms e mangime in polvere finissima. Affamerà se si forniscono normali wafer da fondo.
Tank level: Zona media. A differenza del classico Corydoras, l'hastatus si solleva dal fondo e "fluttua" a mezz'acqua, spesso riposando su foglie larghe.
Minimum group: 10
Adult size: 3 cm
Minimum tank: 40 L
GH: 2 dGH - 15 dGH
KH: n/a
TDS: n/a
Conductivity: n/a
Sex ratio: Gruppi misti. Le femmine sono visibilmente più tozze, alte e lunghe dei maschi.
Feeding frequency: 1-2 volte al giorno con polveri e naupli.
Bioload: Molto Basso
Flow: Corrente da Debole a Moderata
Reproduction: Disperdono uova adesive tra la vegetazione fine come il muschio di Giava. Si riproducono facilmente in vasche stabili se ben nutriti con cibo vivo.
Compatibility: Adatti a nano-acquari con soli gamberetti (Red Cherry, Amano) o piccoli pesci timidi come Boraras maculatus o Trigonostigma. Pesci di taglia normale lo mangeranno.

Image gallery

Licensed images linked to the species or, when marked, to the closest representative taxon.

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Generated via Deepmind Antigravity AI

Representative live aquarium/natural image from Corydoras habrosus (same genus) because no reusable exact aquarium photo was found for Corydoras hastatus.