Tailspot corydoras (Corydoras caudimaculatus) care guide

Group
Freshwater fish
Other names
Tail spot cory, Tailspot corydoras, Hoplisoma caudimaculatum
Family
Callichthyidae (armoured catfishes)
Origin
Brazil and Bolivia: the upper Rio Guaporé and the Mamoré and Madeira river systems in the southern Amazon basin.
Water
freshwater
Maximum size
5 cm
Temperature
22–26°C
pH
6–7.5
Hardness
3–18 dGH (estimated)
Minimum tank
54 litres
Care level
beginner
Temperament
peaceful

Care

A sturdy cory with a pale, lightly spotted body and a bold dark blotch at the base of the tail, which gives it its name. Keep it in a group of at least six of the same species. PlanetCatfish now lists it as Hoplisoma caudimaculatum after the 2024 split of the old genus Corydoras, but it is still sold as "Corydoras caudimaculatus". Give it shade from rockwork, driftwood or plants, and a sand substrate if possible; rounded gravel will do, but rough gravel damages the barbels. PlanetCatfish gives 22–26 °C. It gives no pH, so the pH range of 6–7.5 here is an estimate, as is the 54-litre minimum tank for a group. Keep the water clean with regular partial changes. It can be confused with the similis/ourastigma group, which have a smaller or greyer smudge at the tail base. Females grow larger and are fuller-bodied, best seen from above; males develop more pointed fins as they mature. It is widely kept and has been bred in aquariums. Sources: PlanetCatfish (planetcatfish.com/common/species.php?speciesid=322). Checked October 2026.

Diet

An easy omnivore that forages on the bottom. Feed sinking tablets, granules and flake as the staple, and add live or frozen foods such as bloodworm, whiteworm, grindal worm and Daphnia several times a week. Make sure food reaches the bottom.

Breeding

Bred in aquariums. Condition a group on live and frozen foods, then a large, slightly cooler water change usually triggers spawning. Eggs are laid in the typical cory way, a few at a time held between the female's pelvic fins, and stuck to the glass or plants. Move the eggs to a separate container, as the adults may eat them, and raise the fry on microworm and newly hatched brine shrimp in very clean water.

Compatibility and tank mates

A peaceful community fish. Good tankmates are small tetras and other characins, rasboras, small anabantoids, dwarf cichlids and other peaceful catfish. Avoid large or aggressive fish.

Last updated 5 October 2026. Community-edited care guide on Aquatic-Auctions.

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