Product Details

CW010 Albino Orange Lazer Cory – Osteogaster sp. CW010

Overview:

The CW010 Albino Orange Lazer Cory is a striking pale form of the popular Orange Laser Cory group, combining a creamy albino body with a warm orange stripe running along the upper body. Also searched for as the Albino Orange Laser Cory, Albino Gold Laser Cory or Albino Peru Orange Stripe Cory, this peaceful Cory-type catfish is ideal for aquarists wanting an unusual bottom-dwelling shoal for a mature community aquarium. It is social, active and attractive, but it still needs soft substrate, clean water and the company of its own kind rather than being treated as a simple clean-up fish.

Key Identification:

Common Name: CW010 Albino Orange Lazer Cory
Other Names: Albino Orange Laser Cory, Albino Gold Laser Cory, Orange Lazer Cory, Orange Laser Cory, Gold Laser Cory, Peru Orange Stripe Cory, CW010 Cory, Corydoras sp. CW010, Corydoras aeneus var.
Scientific Name: Osteogaster sp. CW010
Fish Type: Cory-type Catfish / Armoured Catfish
Water Type: Freshwater

Natural Range & Habitat:

The albino form is a captive-bred ornamental strain, but the standard Orange Laser / Gold Laser CW010 form is associated with Peru in the aquarium trade. Fishkeeper lists it as Corydoras sp. “Peru orange stripe”, while Aqua Imports notes the Orange Laser Cory from the Ucayali and Marañón rivers in Peru, both major Amazon headwaters.

In nature, related Bronze Cory-type fish are bottom-dwelling shoalers found over soft substrates, marginal cover and quieter areas of streams, tributaries and floodplain waters. In the aquarium, this fish should be provided with fine sand, clean water, shaded cover and open feeding areas.

Appearance & Adult Size:

The Albino Orange Lazer Cory has a pale cream to pinkish-white body with red or pink eyes and a distinctive orange to gold stripe along the upper flank. The stripe is the key feature linking it to the CW010 Orange Laser group, although intensity may vary between individuals, age and lighting. The body shape is compact and rounded, with bony side plates, short barbels and a classic Cory-type profile.

Adults usually reach around 5.5–6 cm, with females typically becoming slightly larger and deeper-bodied than males. Fishkeeper lists the Gold Laser Cory CW010 at up to around 6 cm, which is a practical adult size for aquarium planning.

Aquarium Suitability:

This is an excellent choice for a peaceful, mature freshwater community aquarium, especially a planted tank or specialist Cory setup. It needs soft sand or very smooth fine gravel so it can forage naturally without damaging its barbels. Open sandy areas, wood, leaf litter, plants and shaded retreats all suit this species well.

It is not suitable for sharp gravel, aggressive communities, dirty substrates or newly set-up aquariums. Albino forms can appear especially bright under aquarium lighting, so shaded areas help reduce stress and improve confidence.

Recommended Aquarium Size:

A practical minimum is 70–80 litres for a group, with 90 litres or more preferred for a larger shoal in a community aquarium. Floor space is more important than height, so choose a tank with a good footprint and open substrate for group foraging.

Water Conditions:

Temperature: 22–26°C
pH: 6.0–7.5
Hardness: Soft to moderately hard; adaptable if stable
Additional Notes: Provide clean, well-oxygenated water, gentle to moderate flow and regular partial water changes. Avoid dirty substrate and high nitrate. Like other Cory-type catfish, it can gulp air at the surface, so always leave access to the water surface. Fishkeeper specifically notes that Corydoras/Osteogaster can breathe air intestinally and should have a small air gap above the water surface.

Temperament & Tank Mates:

Aquarium Category: Community Fish

CW010 Albino Orange Lazer Corys are peaceful, social bottom-dwellers that should be kept with calm community fish. Suitable tank mates include small to medium tetras, rasboras, danios, pencilfish, hatchetfish, Otocinclus, small peaceful plecs, dwarf cichlids in suitable setups and gentle gouramis. ScotCat describes CW010 as very peaceful and suitable with small to medium tank mates such as tetras, rasboras and danios.

Avoid large predatory fish, aggressive cichlids, rough bottom-dwellers and fin-nipping or boisterous species that may stress them or outcompete them at feeding time. Keep in a group of at least 6, with 8 or more preferred. A proper group improves confidence, activity and natural foraging behaviour.

Feeding:

These Cory-type catfish are omnivorous foragers and should be fed directly. Offer fine sinking catfish pellets, 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. ScotCat recommends good-quality flake and tablet foods with occasional frozen or live foods for CW010.

They will search for leftovers, but should never be expected to survive only on scraps from fish feeding above them.

Behaviour in the Aquarium:

This species spends most of its time on the lower levels, moving across sand in a group and using its barbels to search for food. It may rest under plants, wood or shaded areas between feeding sessions. Once settled, a group can become active and visible, especially at feeding time, although some laser Cory forms can be shy at first. Occasional quick trips to the surface to gulp air are normal.

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, avoid sharp gravel and make sure food reaches the bottom. Albino fish may be more visually exposed in bright aquariums, so provide plants, wood or shaded cover. During transport or stressful handling, Cory-type catfish should be packed carefully and not mixed with other fish due to the defensive secretions some species can release.

Recommended For:

Beginner to intermediate

Availability:

Occasional / Captive-bred albino strain / Specialist Cory-type catfish

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.