Product Details

CW124 Inka Cory – Corydoras sp. CW124

The CW124 Inka Cory is a striking specialist cory-type catfish with a pale body, dark charcoal patterning and classic bottom-foraging behaviour. Often sold as Inka Cory, Inca Cory or Corydoras sp. CW124, this fish is best treated as a social, sand-sifting Corydoras for mature aquariums with clean water and peaceful tank mates. It is not a general clean-up fish and should be kept in a proper group with its own sinking foods.

Key Identification:

Common Name: CW124 Inka Cory
Other Names: Inka Cory, Inca Cory, CW124 Cory, Corydoras CW124, Corydoras sp. CW124
Scientific Name: Corydoras sp. CW124
Possible Affinity: Often treated by specialist sources as a colour form of Corydoras stenocephalus
Fish Type: Cory-type Catfish / Callichthyid Catfish
Water Type: Freshwater

Natural Range & Habitat:

CW124 has been traded as an undescribed or code-number Corydoras type, with specialist sources associating it with Corydoras stenocephalus. Where this identification is followed, the wider species is South American, associated with eastern Ecuador and Peru’s Ucayali basin.

In the aquarium, CW124 Inka Corys should be kept in a mature setup with soft sand or very smooth fine substrate, shaded areas, wood, plants and open feeding space. Clean, oxygen-rich water is important, and the substrate should be kept fresh without being harsh or abrasive.

Appearance & Adult Size:

CW124 Inka Corys are attractive long-nosed Corydoras-type catfish with a pale to white base colour and darker charcoal, grey or blackish body patterning. The dark markings may appear stronger through the centre of the body and softer towards the edges, with individual fish varying in contrast and pattern coverage.

Adults usually reach around 5–6.5 cm, with females often larger and fuller-bodied than males. Males are generally slimmer, and mature fish may show stronger pattern contrast when settled.

Aquarium Suitability:

This species is best suited to mature peaceful community aquariums, specialist Corydoras displays and planted South American-style setups. It does best with soft substrate, stable water quality, gentle to moderate flow and calm tank mates that will not outcompete it too aggressively at feeding time.

CW124 Inka Corys are not suitable for sharp gravel, aggressive cichlid tanks, predator aquariums, tiny nano tanks, immature aquariums or setups with poor water quality. They should not be sold simply as scavengers.

Recommended Aquarium Size:

A practical minimum is 90 litres for a small group, with a tank length of at least 75 cm recommended. Larger aquariums of 120 litres or more are preferred for bigger groups, mixed communities and long-term adult care.

Keep in a group of at least 5–6, with larger groups preferred where space allows. Corydoras-type catfish are social and become more confident, active and natural when kept with their own kind.

Water Conditions:

Temperature: 22–26°C
pH: 6.0–7.5
Hardness: Soft to moderately hard
Additional Notes: Keep water clean, stable and well oxygenated. Avoid high nitrate, sharp substrates, dirty compacted gravel and sudden water-chemistry changes. Soft sand is strongly recommended to protect the barbels and allow natural foraging.

Temperament & Tank Mates:

Aquarium Category: Community Fish

CW124 Inka Corys are peaceful bottom-dwelling community fish. Suitable tank mates include small to medium peaceful tetras, pencilfish, rasboras, peaceful dwarf cichlids with care, Otocinclus, small peaceful plecs and other calm community fish that enjoy similar water conditions.

Avoid large predators, aggressive cichlids, rough bottom dwellers, severe fin-nippers and very boisterous feeders that prevent food reaching the substrate. They should not be kept singly or in pairs, as this can make them shy and reduce natural behaviour.

Feeding:

CW124 Inka Corys are omnivorous bottom feeders and need a varied sinking diet. Offer quality sinking catfish pellets, soft granules, bottom-feeder tablets and small wafers as the staple diet. Supplement with frozen or live foods such as bloodworm, daphnia, cyclops, brineshrimp, tubifex and mosquito larvae.

They will search the substrate for food, but they must not be expected to survive on scraps. Make sure food reaches the bottom, especially when they are kept with fast midwater feeders.

Behaviour in the Aquarium:

This species spends much of its time foraging over sand, exploring shaded areas and resting under plants or wood. In a proper group, CW124 Inka Corys are social, active and often more visible once settled. Like other callichthyid catfish, they may occasionally dart to the surface to gulp air, which is normal behaviour.

Breeding behaviour may occur in well-conditioned groups, especially after excellent feeding and clean water changes. Eggs, if laid in a community tank, may be eaten unless removed or protected.

Care Notes:

Add CW124 Inka Corys only to a mature, fully cycled aquarium. Use soft sand or very smooth fine substrate, maintain good oxygenation and provide shaded resting areas. Keep the substrate clean with regular maintenance, but avoid over-cleaning to the point of removing all natural grazing opportunities.

Because CW124 is a code-number fish and trade identification can vary, individual appearance and final naming may differ between suppliers. It is best listed clearly as Corydoras sp. CW124 unless your supplier confirms a described species name.

Recommended For:

Intermediate

Availability:

Occasional / Specialist import or tank-raised 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, charcoal patterning, body tone, head shape, sex and markings can occur between individual fish.