Burgess' Corydoras Care Guide - Aquarium Setup, Diet & Breeding

Burgess' Corydoras is a beautifully marked member of the small, bottom-dwelling Corydoras catfish group. Its pale body is decorated with dark markings, including the characteristic dark band across the eyes, while warm orange or reddish tones may show through around the dorsal fin and upper body. Individual fish can vary in the intensity of their colouration depending on mood, age and condition.

Like other corydoras, this species spends much of its time exploring the substrate with sensitive barbels. It is peaceful, sociable and lively, often resting together before suddenly becoming active as a group. Although it is a bottom-oriented fish, it regularly rises to the surface to gulp air, an adaptation that allows corydoras to make use of atmospheric oxygen.

In the wild, Burgess' Corydoras inhabits shallow flowing waters where leaf litter, submerged roots and patches of sand provide shelter and feeding areas. Its barbels help it detect small food items among the substrate, while its armoured body plates offer protection from many predators.

The species was named in honour of the American ichthyologist Warren E. Burgess. It is less commonly seen than some familiar aquarium corydoras, but its attractive pattern and active, gentle nature make it a rewarding choice for a peaceful community aquarium.

Burgess' Corydoras is native to the upper Río Huallaga drainage in Peru, in the western part of the Amazon basin in South America. It comes from freshwater streams and tributaries with soft, often lightly stained water and sandy or fine sediment beds.

A group of Burgess' Corydoras should have at least a 60-litre aquarium, with a footprint of approximately 60 x 30 cm or larger. Use a smooth, fine sand substrate or exceptionally rounded fine gravel so the fish can sift safely without damaging their barbels. Include open areas for foraging, along with driftwood, smooth stones, broad-leaved plants and shaded retreats that resemble a stream margin. Good filtration, strong oxygenation and gentle water movement are important, while a secure lid is advisable because corydoras may jump when startled.

Up to around 5 cm (2 in) in total length. Females are usually larger and noticeably broader-bodied than males; males commonly reach about 4–4.5 cm (1.6–1.8 in).

Burgess' Corydoras is an omnivore that naturally searches the substrate for insect larvae, small crustaceans, worms and other tiny organisms, while also consuming some plant material and organic debris. Offer a varied diet of sinking catfish pellets or tablets alongside frozen or live foods such as bloodworm, daphnia, brine shrimp and blackworm. Feed sinking foods after the lights dim when necessary, and do not rely on leftovers from surface-feeding fish; corydoras need their own regular access to nutritious food.

Burgess' Corydoras is a peaceful community fish that can be kept with similarly calm small tetras, rasboras, danios, pencilfish, peaceful livebearers and other non-aggressive dwarf catfish. Small, gentle gouramis and peaceful South American species can also be suitable companions. Avoid large or predatory fish, fin-nippers, boisterous feeders and aggressive cichlids, which may outcompete, injure or intimidate this delicate bottom-dweller. Tankmates should also tolerate its preference for warm, soft to moderately hard freshwater.

Burgess' Corydoras are egg-scattering spawners and can be bred by conditioning a group with plenty of varied, protein-rich foods before carrying out a series of slightly cooler, well-oxygenated water changes. A receptive female is followed by one or more males, with eggs held between her pelvic fins before being placed on plant leaves, aquarium glass or other smooth surfaces. Remove the adults after spawning, as they may eat the eggs. The eggs generally hatch in around three to five days, and the fry can be raised on suitably sized first foods such as microworms and newly hatched brine shrimp.

Females are generally larger, deeper-bodied and broader across the abdomen, especially when carrying eggs. Males are slimmer and slightly smaller, with a more streamlined profile when viewed from above.