Ehrhardt's corydoras (Corydoras ehrhardti) care guide

Group
Freshwater fish
Other names
Ehrhardt's cory, Hoplisoma ehrhardti, Corydoras meridionalis
Family
Callichthyidae (armoured catfishes)
Origin
Southern Brazil: coastal rivers in Santa Catarina and Paraná states and the Iguaçu river basin.
Water
freshwater
Maximum size
4.1 cm
Temperature
19–22°C
pH
6.5–7.5
Hardness
3–18 dGH (estimated)
Minimum tank
54 litres
Care level
intermediate
Temperament
peaceful

Care

A small, pepper-patterned cory from the cooler south of Brazil, related to the peppered cory. It is a peaceful, shoaling fish: keep at least six of the same species, more if you can. A tank with a base of about 60 × 30 cm (around 54 litres) is enough for a group – our estimate, as PlanetCatfish gives no tank size. Use sand or smooth, rounded gravel, avoiding sharp grades that wear down the barbels. Add driftwood, plants and some shaded areas. The main point is temperature: PlanetCatfish gives 19–22 °C, so this is a cool-water species that does poorly in a warm tropical tank and suits an unheated room or a coldwater-to-subtropical community. Keep the water clean with regular partial changes; like all corys it is sensitive to salt and many medications. PlanetCatfish gives no pH figure; neutral, soft to moderately hard water is usual for corys from this region. Females are larger and more robust when seen from above, and males develop more pointed fins as they mature. An older name for this species is Corydoras meridionalis. Since the 2024 revision of Corydoras, PlanetCatfish lists the valid name as Hoplisoma ehrhardti; it is still sold as "Corydoras ehrhardti". PlanetCatfish shows it as Not Evaluated by the IUCN. It is kept and bred by a modest number of hobbyists and turns up occasionally as captive-bred stock. Sources: PlanetCatfish (planetcatfish.com/common/species.php?speciesid=475). Checked October 2026.

Diet

An omnivorous bottom forager. Feed sinking tablets, granules and quality flake that reach the bottom, plus live or frozen bloodworm, Daphnia and small worms several times a week.

Breeding

Has been bred in aquaria (PlanetCatfish lists several breeding reports). Use a group with more males than females, condition them well on live and frozen food, and trigger spawning with a large, cooler water change. The adhesive eggs are laid on glass and plants; remove them or the adults to protect them, and raise the fry on microworm and newly hatched brine shrimp.

Compatibility and tank mates

A peaceful community fish for cooler tanks. Good companions are other small fish that like the same temperatures, such as White Cloud Mountain minnows, some danios and small subtropical tetras, as well as other cool-water corys. Avoid large or boisterous fish.

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

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