Loxozonus cory (Corydoras loxozonus) care guide

Group
Freshwater fish
Other names
Dirty bandit cory, Hoplisoma loxozonum, C079 (variant)
Family
Callichthyidae (armoured catfishes)
Origin
Colombia: Río Meta system in the Orinoco basin, including the Guaviare and Ariari rivers.
Water
freshwater
Maximum size
5.5 cm
Temperature
21–24°C
pH
6–8
Hardness
Soft to hard, 2–25 dGH
Minimum tank
54 litres
Care level
beginner
Temperament
peaceful

Care

The dirty bandit cory is a peaceful, sociable cory from Colombia; keep a group of at least six of the one species. As a fish of about 5 cm, a tank with a base of about 60 × 30 cm (roughly 54 litres) is a sensible minimum; this is our estimate, as the sources give no tank size. Use fine sand, or at least smooth rounded gravel kept very clean, so the fish can sift for food without wearing down their barbels. Add driftwood, plants and some shade, leaving an open patch of floor for foraging. It prefers cooler tropical water: PlanetCatfish gives 21–24 °C. FishBase gives a pH of 6–8 and 2–25 dGH, so it is adaptable, but keep it stable. Keep nitrate low with regular partial water changes and do not let waste build up in the substrate, as dirty conditions quickly lead to eroded barbels and infections. Corys handle salt and many medications (especially copper) poorly, so treat with care. Darting to the surface for a gulp of air now and then is normal: they breathe air through the gut. The pectoral-fin spines are sharp and can give a painful jab, so take care when netting and handling. The species name means "slanting belt", after the dark oblique band running along the back. PlanetCatfish notes that C079 is a form without the black diagonal stripe. It comes from the same Colombian river system as the bandit cory (Hoplisoma metae), and the two can be confused. Females are larger and rounder than males. Name note: since the 2024 split of Corydoras it is classified as Hoplisoma loxozonum (FishBase and PlanetCatfish), but it is still sold as "Corydoras loxozonus". PlanetCatfish gives 5.5 cm SL; FishBase gives 4.9 cm. FishBase lists it as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List (2020), reflecting its small range; PlanetCatfish shows Not Evaluated. Buy captive-bred fish where possible. Sources: PlanetCatfish (planetcatfish.com/common/species.php?speciesid=779); FishBase (fishbase.se/summary/Corydoras-loxozonus.html). Checked October 2026.

Diet

An omnivorous bottom forager. Give good-quality sinking tablets or granules as a staple, with small live and frozen foods such as bloodworm, Daphnia and brine shrimp several times a week, especially when conditioning for breeding.

Breeding

Has been bred in aquariums; PlanetCatfish holds several breeding reports. Use the usual cory approach: condition a group with more males than females on live and frozen foods, then trigger spawning with a large water change using slightly cooler water. Eggs are stuck to the glass or plants; remove them or the adults, and raise the fry on microworm and newly hatched brine shrimp.

Compatibility and tank mates

Peaceful and gregarious. Keep with small, calm community fish such as tetras, rasboras, pencilfish, dwarf cichlids and other peaceful catfish that are happy at the cooler end of tropical. Avoid large, aggressive or food-grabbing fish.

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

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