Desana Cory Care Guide - Aquarium Setup, Diet & Breeding

Desana Cory is a small, peaceful armoured catfish with the familiar rounded body, short barbels and underslung mouth typical of the genus Corydoras. Its body is marked with subtle dark-and-light patterning, while the armour-like rows of bony plates provide protection rather than making it aggressive or predatory.

This species spends much of its time close to the substrate, methodically investigating the bottom with its barbels. It is active and entertaining when kept in an appropriate group, often resting together before suddenly swimming up to explore the aquarium or gulp air at the surface.

In nature, Desana Cory inhabits shallow tropical streams and tributaries where clean water flows over sand, fine gravel and accumulated plant debris. Leaf litter and shaded margins provide shelter, feeding opportunities and surfaces for small invertebrates.

Like other Corydoras, it is a social, non-aggressive fish that should not be treated as a substitute for routine aquarium maintenance. Its habit of sifting through the substrate makes it a particularly engaging choice for a peaceful community aquarium, provided the bottom is kept free of sharp or abrasive material.

Corydoras desana is a South American freshwater catfish from Colombia, associated with tributaries of the upper Orinoco drainage. It comes from warm tropical waterways with sandy or fine-gravel bottoms and areas of leaf litter and submerged vegetation.

A group of Desana Cory should be given an aquarium of at least 75 litres, with a footprint of roughly 90 cm by 30 cm or larger so that it has ample floor space for foraging. Use smooth fine sand or rounded fine gravel that will not damage the barbels, and provide open areas as well as shaded retreats made from driftwood, smooth rocks, leaf litter and live plants. Gentle to moderate filtration, good oxygenation and a secure lid are beneficial. The aquarium should be mature, stable and free from accumulated waste, particularly around the substrate.

Up to about 4.5 cm (1.8 in) in standard length; females are typically a little larger and deeper-bodied than males.

Desana Cory is an omnivore that feeds on small aquatic invertebrates, insect larvae, worms, crustaceans and organic material found among the substrate. Offer sinking micro-pellets or quality catfish tablets as a staple, supplemented with frozen or live foods such as bloodworm, daphnia, blackworm and brine shrimp. Blanched vegetables can occasionally be offered, but plant matter should not replace a varied, protein-rich diet. Ensure food reaches the bottom rather than assuming that scraps left by midwater fish will provide enough nutrition.

Desana Cory can share an aquarium with other peaceful South American community fish, including small tetras, pencilfish, hatchetfish, peaceful rasboras, small peaceful livebearers and other compatible Corydoras. It also works well with small, calm dwarf cichlids such as Apistogramma when the aquarium provides sufficient space and cover. Avoid large or predatory fish, boisterous feeders, fin-nippers and aggressive territorial cichlids, as well as species that require very different water conditions. Keep the Corydoras in a group of their own species rather than relying on unrelated bottom-dwellers for companionship.

Desana Cory are egg-scattering spawners that can breed in a mature, well-conditioned aquarium. Condition a group with plentiful high-quality foods, then encourage spawning with a partial water change using slightly cooler, clean water. The female carries a few adhesive eggs between her pelvic fins before placing them on plant leaves, aquarium glass or other smooth surfaces. Adults may eat the eggs, so move the eggs to a separate hatching container or remove the adults after spawning. The eggs generally hatch within several days, and the tiny fry can be raised on suitably small foods such as powdered fry food and newly hatched brine shrimp.

Females are usually broader through the abdomen and slightly larger overall, especially when carrying eggs. Males tend to be slimmer and more streamlined, although the difference can be subtle outside breeding condition.