Geoffroy's cory (Corydoras geoffroy) care guide

Group
Freshwater fish
Other names
Wolf cory, Geoffroy's corydoras
Family
Callichthyidae (armoured catfishes)
Origin
South America: coastal rivers of Suriname and French Guiana.
Water
freshwater
Maximum size
7 cm
Temperature
22–26°C
pH
6–8
Hardness
Soft to hard, 2–25 dH
Minimum tank
80 litres
Care level
intermediate
Temperament
peaceful

Care

Geoffroy's cory is a relatively large cory, reaching about 7 cm standard length according to FishBase. It is historically important: it is the type species of the genus Corydoras, which is why it keeps the name Corydoras after the 2024 revision that moved many other corys into Hoplisoma, Brochis, Gastrodermus and Osteogaster. It is seldom seen in the trade. Keep a group of at least six. The 80-litre minimum given here is our estimate for a group of fish this size. Use fine sand so they can dig with their barbels, and add driftwood, leaf litter and plants for cover. FishBase gives 22–26 °C, pH 6.0–8.0 and hardness 2–25 dH. Keep the water clean and stable. Corys have no scales, only bony plates, and are sensitive to salt and to many medications (especially copper-based treatments), so use half doses or leave them out when treating a tank. Keep nitrate low with regular partial water changes and lightly siphon the sand so uneaten food does not rot. They gulp air at the surface now and then, which is normal. Take care when netting them: the fin spines are sharp and catch in nets. The site name "Geoffrey's Corydora" was a misspelling; the species is named after the French naturalist Étienne Geoffroy Saint-Hilaire. FishBase lists the English name wolf cory. It is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List (assessed 2021). We could not read the PlanetCatfish page for this species when checking, so these figures come from FishBase and Wikipedia. Sources: FishBase (fishbase.se/summary/Corydoras-geoffroy.html); Wikipedia (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Corydorasgeoffroy). Checked October 2026.

Diet

A bottom-foraging omnivore. Feed good-quality sinking pellets, tablets or granules, plus small frozen or live foods such as bloodworm, daphnia and brine shrimp. Make sure food reaches the bottom; corys should not be expected to live on leftovers.

Breeding

No detailed breeding reports were found in the sources checked. Typical cory methods are worth trying: condition a group with more males than females on live and frozen foods, then do a large, slightly cooler water change to trigger spawning. Females are usually larger and broader than males. Eggs are stuck to the glass or plants and should be moved or protected, as adults may eat them.

Compatibility and tank mates

Peaceful and suitable for a calm community tank with small to medium tetras, pencilfish, rasboras, dwarf cichlids and other peaceful catfish. Avoid large or aggressive fish that could harass or eat it.

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

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