Bearded Corydoras Care Guide - Aquarium Setup, Diet & Breeding

Bearded Corydoras are among the largest and most distinctive members of the group commonly sold as corydoras catfish. They have a sturdy, armoured body, a broad head, prominent barbels and a mottled brown, grey and cream pattern that helps them blend into a streambed. Their rounded fins and robust proportions give them a characterful, prehistoric appearance.

Bearded Corydoras are native to southeastern Brazil in coastal river systems, particularly waterways in the states of Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo and Santa Catarina. They inhabit clear to tea-coloured forest streams and slower stretches with sandy or fine gravel bottoms.

A group should have at least 100 litres, with a footprint of about 90 by 35 cm or larger; floor area is more important than height. Use soft sand or smooth fine gravel to protect the sensitive barbels, along with open foraging space, shaded areas, driftwood, smooth rocks and hardy plants. Gentle to moderate flow, good oxygenation and clean, stable water suit this riverine species, while leaf litter can provide additional natural cover.

Males can reach about 10 cm (4 in), while females are typically larger and may reach around 12 cm (4.7 in).

Bearded Corydoras are omnivorous bottom-feeders with a strong preference for meaty foods. Offer quality sinking carnivore pellets or wafers alongside frozen or live bloodworm, blackworm, daphnia, brine shrimp and similar foods. Feed after lights out if necessary so they receive their share, and do not rely on uneaten flakes or algae wafers as their complete diet.

Bearded Corydoras are generally peaceful and can be kept with similarly placid fish such as peaceful tetras, rasboras, pencilfish, smaller rainbowfish, peaceful dwarf cichlids and other calm South American community species. Avoid aggressive cichlids, fin-nipping fish and substantially larger predators. Adult males may spar or defend small areas, so provide plenty of floor space and visual cover rather than keeping them in a cramped footprint.

Bearded Corydoras are egg scatterers that can be encouraged to spawn with excellent conditioning, abundant live or frozen foods and a partial water change with slightly cooler, clean water. Females scatter adhesive eggs among fine-leaved plants, on smooth surfaces or against the aquarium glass, while males fertilise them. Remove the adults or transfer the eggs to a separate hatching container, as the eggs may be eaten. The fry can be raised on infusoria or finely powdered food before progressing to baby brine shrimp.

Females are usually bulkier and longer-bodied, particularly when carrying eggs. Mature males develop a noticeably broader, more bristled head with beard-like odontodes on the cheeks and often have more extended dorsal and pectoral fins.