Product Details

CW124 Inka Cory – Corydoras sp. CW124

Overview:

The CW124 Inka Cory is a rare, long-snouted Corydoras-type catfish from Peru, appreciated for its elegant profile, dark charcoal patterning and peaceful group behaviour. Also known as the Inca Cory, this undescribed Corydoras sp. CW124 is a specialist choice for aquarists who enjoy less common Cory species and can provide a mature aquarium with soft sand, clean water and calm tank mates. It is peaceful enough for suitable community aquariums, but it should be treated as a rare wild-type Cory rather than a basic clean-up fish.

Key Identification:

Common Name: CW124 Inka Cory
Other Names: Inca Cory, Inka Corydoras, CW124 Cory, Corydoras sp. CW124
Scientific Name: Corydoras sp. CW124
Fish Type: Cory-type Catfish / Armoured Catfish
Water Type: Freshwater

Natural Range & Habitat:

The CW124 Inka Cory is associated with Peru, particularly the Rio Las Piedras in the Madre de Dios region. ScotCat lists the distribution as South America: Peru, Rio Las Piedras, while trade sources also place it in the Madre de Dios region.

In nature, long-snouted Corydoras forage over fine substrates in river margins and tributary habitats. In the aquarium, this means the fish should be given soft sand, shaded retreats, wood, leaf litter or plants, and clean well-oxygenated water with low stress.

Appearance & Adult Size:

This is a longer-snouted Corydoras with a more streamlined profile than many round-bodied Cory-type catfish. The body is pale to white with charcoal-grey to black patterning, often darker and more defined in males. Under good lighting, the head may show a subtle greenish metallic sheen. Potomac Valley Aquarium Society describes CW124 as having a charcoal pattern over a white background, with clearer markings in males and a metallic green reflection on the head.

Adults usually reach around 6–8 cm, with ScotCat listing males around 7 cm and females around 8 cm. Females are usually fuller-bodied, especially when mature.

Aquarium Suitability:

This species is best suited to a mature, peaceful aquarium with a soft substrate and calm tank mates. It works well in planted community aquariums, Peruvian-style setups and specialist Corydoras displays. It should not be kept on sharp gravel, in aggressive communities or in new aquariums with unstable water quality. Because it is longer-snouted, it particularly benefits from sand where it can push its snout naturally while searching for food.

Recommended Aquarium Size:

A practical minimum is 90 litres for a group, with 120 litres or more preferred for a larger shoal or community setup. Floor space is more important than height, so choose an aquarium with a good footprint and open sandy areas.

Water Conditions:

Temperature: 22–25°C
pH: 6.5–7.5
Hardness: Soft to moderately hard; softer stable water preferred
Additional Notes: Keep the water clean, mature and well oxygenated, with gentle to moderate flow and regular partial water changes. ScotCat gives CW124 a temperature range of 22–25°C and pH 6.5–7.5, which is a sensible care range for long-term aquarium maintenance.

Temperament & Tank Mates:

Aquarium Category: Community Fish

CW124 Inka Corys are peaceful, social bottom-dwellers. Suitable tank mates include small to medium tetras, pencilfish, hatchetfish, peaceful rasboras, Otocinclus, small 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 boisterous feeders. Keep in a group of at least 6, with 8 or more preferred. A proper group improves confidence, feeding response and natural foraging behaviour.

Feeding:

CW124 Inka Corys are omnivorous foragers and should be fed directly. Offer fine sinking catfish pellets, bottom-feeder tablets, soft granules and quality sinking foods as the staple. Supplement with frozen or live foods such as bloodworm, daphnia, cyclops, brineshrimp, tubifex and finely chopped worms. ScotCat notes that CW124 accepts granular foods, tablet foods, frozen bloodworm and good-quality flake.

They will search for missed food, but they should never be expected to survive only on leftovers.

Behaviour in the Aquarium:

This species spends most of its time on the bottom, probing through sand and moving in a loose group. Long-snouted Corydoras often show interesting foraging behaviour, pushing their snouts into soft substrate to locate food. In a quiet aquarium, they may become active throughout the day, especially around feeding time. Like other callichthyid catfish, they may occasionally dart to the surface to gulp air, which is normal if water quality is good.

Care Notes:

Use soft sand wherever possible. Sharp gravel or dirty substrate can damage the snout and barbels, leading to infection. Add only to a mature, cycled aquarium with stable water quality and low nitrate. Keep in groups, provide shaded areas and ensure food reaches the bottom. Because CW124 is an uncommon undescribed Corydoras, careful acclimation and low-stress tank mates are strongly recommended. Cory-type catfish can release defensive secretions when stressed, so they should be transported carefully and not mixed with other fish in small bags.

Recommended For:

Intermediate

Availability:

Rare / Specialist Corydoras import or captive-bred when available

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.