Product Details

C023 Sararé Cory – Corydoras sarareensis

Overview:

The C023 Sararé Cory is a rare and elegant long-snouted Corydoras species from Brazil, admired for its streamlined body shape, subtle spotted patterning and specialist appeal. Unlike the rounder, short-nosed Cory-type catfish commonly seen in community tanks, Corydoras sarareensis has a more elongated profile and a refined wild appearance. It is peaceful and group-living, but because it is uncommon and more specialised, it is best suited to a mature aquarium with soft sand, clean water and careful tank mate selection.

Key Identification:

Common Name: C023 Sararé Cory
Other Names: Sarare Cory, Sararé Corydoras, C023 Cory, Long-nosed Sararé Cory
Scientific Name: Corydoras sarareensis
Fish Type: Cory-type Catfish / Armoured Catfish
Water Type: Freshwater

Natural Range & Habitat:

The Sararé Cory is native to South America, specifically the Guaporé River basin in Brazil. FishBase lists it from the Guaporé basin, while Aquarium Glaser notes that the species name comes from the Rio Sararé, the river from which it originates.

In nature, it is associated with bottom habitats in tropical freshwater systems. In the aquarium, it should be treated as a clean-water, sand-foraging species that appreciates shaded areas, wood, botanicals, fine substrate and stable conditions.

Appearance & Adult Size:

Corydoras sarareensis has a long-snouted body shape, giving it a more streamlined and elegant look than many common Cory-type catfish. The body is typically pale to beige with darker spotting or blotching, and ScotCat notes that the black body blotch can vary in size between individuals. Mature males may show a thickened and bristled first pectoral fin ray, a feature associated with this long-snouted group.

Adults are small to medium for a Corydoras, reaching around 4.5–5 cm. FishBase lists a maximum size of 4.4 cm standard length, so aquarium planning should still allow for a social group rather than a single specimen.

Aquarium Suitability:

This species is best suited to a mature peaceful aquarium, specialist Cory setup or carefully planned South American community. It should be kept on soft sand or very smooth fine substrate, with open foraging areas and shaded retreats. It is not suitable for sharp gravel, aggressive fish, unstable new tanks or aquariums where it will be outcompeted by boisterous bottom dwellers.

Recommended Aquarium Size:

A practical minimum is 70–80 litres for a small group, with 90 litres or more preferred for a larger group or community setup. Floor space is more important than height, so choose a tank with a good footprint and accessible sandy areas.

Water Conditions:

Temperature: 22–26°C
pH: 6.0–7.5
Hardness: Soft to moderately hard; softer stable water preferred
Additional Notes: FishBase gives a temperature range of 22–26°C, pH 6.0–8.0 and hardness 2–25 dH for Corydoras sarareensis. Keep the water clean, well oxygenated and stable, with regular partial water changes. Avoid high nitrate, dirty substrate and sudden parameter swings.

Temperament & Tank Mates:

Aquarium Category: Community Fish

C023 Sararé Corys are peaceful, social bottom-dwellers. Suitable tank mates include small tetras, pencilfish, hatchetfish, rasboras, Otocinclus, small peaceful plecs, dwarf cichlids in suitable setups and other calm community fish that will not bully or outcompete them.

Avoid large predators, aggressive cichlids, rough bottom-dwellers and very boisterous feeding species. They should be kept in a group of at least 6, with 8 or more preferred where space allows. A proper group improves confidence, feeding response and natural foraging behaviour.

Feeding:

Sararé Corys are omnivorous bottom-foragers and should be fed directly. Offer fine sinking catfish pellets, small bottom-feeder tablets, micro granules and soft sinking foods as the staple. Supplement with frozen or live foods such as daphnia, cyclops, brineshrimp, bloodworm, tubifex and finely chopped worms. They may pick up some leftover food, but they should never be expected to survive only on scraps from fish feeding above them.

Behaviour in the Aquarium:

This is a lower-level species that spends much of its time searching the substrate with its barbels. In a settled group, it will forage in loose company and rest under wood, plants or shaded areas between feeding periods. Like other callichthyid catfish, it may occasionally dart to the surface to gulp air, which is normal behaviour as long as water quality is good. FishBase also lists this species as a facultative air-breather.

Care Notes:

Use soft sand wherever possible and keep the substrate clean to protect the barbels. Add only to a fully cycled, mature aquarium with stable water quality. Keep in groups, provide shaded cover and make sure food reaches the bottom. Because this is an uncommon long-snouted Corydoras, it is best avoided for rough community tanks or casual “clean-up crew” use. During transport, Corydoras should be packed carefully and not mixed with other fish in small bags due to the defensive secretions some species can release under stress.

Recommended For:

Intermediate

Availability:

Rare / Specialist import

Image Disclaimer:

All images are a visual representation of the fish you will receive, made to be as accurate as possible. Natural variation in size, colour, pattern and markings can occur between individual fish.