Gosse's Cory Care Guide - Aquarium Setup, Diet & Breeding

Gosse's Cory is a small, attractively patterned armoured catfish with a pale cream to silvery body marked by irregular dark spots and reticulated lines. Its rounded body, barbels and expressive low-set eyes give it the familiar appearance shared by many Corydoras, while its distinctive pattern helps separate it from similar species in the aquarium trade.

This is a peaceful, sociable bottom-dweller that spends much of its time investigating the substrate with its barbels. It may occasionally dash to the surface to take a gulp of air, a natural behaviour made possible by its modified intestine, and then return to its usual activities among the lower levels of the aquarium.

In the wild, Gosse's Cory inhabits shallow areas of the Rio Guaporé system, where sandy or fine sediment is mixed with leaf litter, submerged roots and marginal vegetation. These environments provide both feeding grounds and cover for a small catfish that naturally lives close to the riverbed.

Like other Corydoras, it is a social species and is most engaging when kept in a proper group. Groups explore together, rest in close contact and regularly display lively bursts of activity, making this understated catfish a charming presence in a peaceful community aquarium.

Gosse's Cory is native to South America, where it occurs in the Rio Guaporé drainage in western Brazil, in the state of Mato Grosso. This region forms part of the upper Madeira basin in the Amazon system.

A group of Gosse's Corys should have an aquarium of at least 60 litres, with a footprint around 60 by 30 cm or larger to provide useful floor space. Use soft sand or another smooth, fine-grained substrate so their delicate barbels are not damaged while they forage. Include driftwood, rounded stones, live plants and shaded areas for cover, while leaving open patches of substrate for exploration. Gentle water movement, efficient filtration and good oxygenation suit their riverine background, but the fish should still have calm areas in which to rest.

Males reach about 4.5 cm (1.8 inches), while females are larger and can grow to approximately 5 cm (2 inches).

Gosse's Corys are omnivores that feed on small invertebrates, insect larvae, crustaceans, plant material and organic debris in nature. Offer a varied diet of sinking catfish pellets or tablets supplemented with frozen or live foods such as bloodworm, daphnia, brine shrimp and blackworm. Occasional blanched vegetables can add variety, but uneaten food should be removed promptly. Their habit of searching the substrate does not mean they can survive on scraps alone, so ensure food reaches the bottom for every fish in the group.

Gosse's Corys are well suited to peaceful community aquariums and can be kept with small tetras, rasboras, pencilfish, danios, peaceful livebearers and other calm South American community fish. Small, non-aggressive dwarf cichlids and other peaceful Corydoras may also be suitable when the aquarium is spacious enough. Avoid large or predatory fish, fin-nippers and boisterous bottom-dwellers, as well as territorial species that may compete for shelter or food. They should not be housed with fish likely to swallow them or harass their barbels.

Gosse's Corys are egg-scattering spawners that can be encouraged to breed when mature females are well conditioned with varied, protein-rich foods. A substantial water change with slightly cooler, clean water often stimulates spawning. The pair or group deposits adhesive eggs on aquarium glass, plants or spawning mops, usually during active courtship. Remove the adults or transfer the eggs to a separate hatching container, as the eggs may be eaten. The eggs generally hatch in around three to five days, with fry accepting newly hatched brine shrimp and other suitably tiny foods once their yolk sacs are absorbed.

Females are generally broader-bodied and noticeably deeper through the abdomen, particularly when carrying eggs. Males are usually smaller and slimmer, with a more streamlined profile.