Product Details

Orange Venezuelan Corydora – Osteogaster venezuelanus

The Orange Venezuelan Corydora is a peaceful, sociable cory-type catfish known for its warm orange body colour, darker shoulder patch and constant bottom-foraging behaviour. Also sold as the Venezuelan Orange Corydoras, Orange Cory, Venezuela Orange Cory or under the older name Corydoras venezuelanus, this attractive catfish is ideal for mature planted community aquariums with soft sand, calm tank mates and clean, stable water. It is a colourful alternative to the standard Bronze Corydoras and should always be kept in a proper group.

Key Identification:

Common Name: Orange Venezuelan Corydora
Other Names: Venezuelan Orange Corydoras, Orange Cory, Venezuela Orange Cory, Venezuelan Cory
Scientific Name: Osteogaster venezuelanus
Older / Trade Name: Corydoras venezuelanus, Corydoras aeneus “Venezuela Orange”
Fish Type: Cory-type Catfish
Water Type: Freshwater

Natural Range & Habitat:

Osteogaster venezuelanus is associated with northern Venezuela, including river and lake drainage habitats such as the Rio Tuy and Lake Valencia region. In nature, related cory-type catfish live close to the bottom in freshwater streams, tributaries and quieter margins where soft substrates, leaf litter, roots and plant cover provide feeding and shelter.

Most Orange Venezuelan Corydoras in the aquarium trade are captive-bred or commercially farmed. In the aquarium, they should be provided with fine sand, smooth décor, shaded areas, plants and stable water conditions rather than sharp gravel or a bare, newly set-up tank.

Appearance & Adult Size:

Orange Venezuelan Corydoras have a compact, armoured body with short barbels around the mouth for searching through the substrate. Their body colour is usually orange, bronze, copper or rusty-gold, often with a darker shoulder patch and darker shading across the upper body.

Adults usually reach around 5–6.5 cm. Mature females are normally broader and fuller-bodied than males, especially when viewed from above, while males tend to be slimmer and more active during breeding behaviour.

Aquarium Suitability:

This species is well suited to peaceful planted aquariums, cory-type catfish groups and natural-style community displays with sand, wood and plants. It spends most of its time on the lower levels, foraging across the substrate and resting in shaded areas.

Orange Venezuelan Corydoras are not algae eaters and should not be bought as a cleaning fish. They need targeted sinking foods, clean substrate and calm tank mates that will not outcompete or harass them.

Recommended Aquarium Size:

A practical minimum is 60–80 litres for a group, with a tank length of at least 60 cm recommended. Larger aquariums are better for bigger groups and mixed community setups.

Keep in a group of at least 6, with 8 or more preferred where space allows. A proper group helps reduce stress, improves confidence and encourages natural foraging behaviour.

Water Conditions:

Temperature: 20–26°C
pH: 6.5–7.8
Hardness: Soft to moderately hard
Additional Notes: Clean, stable and well-oxygenated water is important. Fine sand is strongly recommended to protect the barbels and allow natural feeding behaviour. Avoid sharp gravel, dirty substrates, poor oxygenation and unstable new aquariums.

Temperament & Tank Mates:

Aquarium Category: Community Fish

Orange Venezuelan Corydoras are peaceful, social bottom-dwellers. Suitable tank mates include small to medium tetras, rasboras, danios, pencilfish, peaceful livebearers in suitable water, dwarf cichlids, small gourami, Otocinclus and other calm community fish.

Avoid large predators, aggressive cichlids, fin-nipping species, boisterous barbs and very competitive bottom feeders. They should not be kept singly or in pairs, as low numbers can make them shy and less active.

Feeding:

Orange Venezuelan Corydoras are omnivorous bottom-foragers. Offer quality sinking catfish pellets, soft sinking granules and fine wafers as the staple diet. Supplement with frozen or live foods such as bloodworm, daphnia, brineshrimp, cyclops, mosquito larvae and tubifex.

They will search the substrate for food, but they must not be expected to survive on leftovers alone. In busy aquariums, feed sinking foods after the main lights dim to make sure the group receives enough food.

Behaviour in the Aquarium:

This species spends most of its time on the lower levels of the aquarium, moving across sand in small groups and using its barbels to locate food. When settled, Orange Venezuelan Corydoras are active, visible and often rest together under plants, wood or shaded areas.

Like other cory-type catfish, they may occasionally dart to the surface to take a gulp of air. This is normal, but repeated frantic surface visits can indicate poor oxygenation or water quality issues.

Care Notes:

Add Orange Venezuelan Corydoras only to a mature, fully cycled aquarium. Provide soft sand, clean water, peaceful tank mates and regular maintenance.

This species can suffer barbel damage or infection if kept on sharp or dirty substrate. Keep them in a proper group, make sure food reaches the bottom and avoid very warm, poorly oxygenated tanks. Captive-bred stock is usually adaptable, but stable water quality remains essential.

Recommended For:

Beginner to intermediate

Availability:

Common to occasional / Usually captive-bred or commercially farmed

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, body tone and markings can occur between individual fish.