Bonehead cory (Corydoras osteocarus) care guide

Group
Freshwater fish
Other names
Bonehead corydoras, C060, Hoplisoma osteocarus, Corydoras osteocarus
Family
Callichthyidae (armoured catfishes)
Origin
South America: the Orinoco basin (type locality San Fernando de Atabapo, Venezuela) and coastal rivers of Suriname.
Water
freshwater
Maximum size
4 cm
Temperature
22–25°C
pH
6–7
Hardness
Soft to moderately hard (FishBase: 2–25 dGH)
Minimum tank
60 litres
Care level
beginner
Temperament
peaceful

Care

A small, slim Corydoras for a group of six or more. A tank of about 60 litres is enough for a group (our estimate from its 4 cm adult size); a longer tank gives more foraging room. Use soft sand, or at least smooth rounded gravel: sharp or chipped gravel wears down the barbels, which then become infected. Add driftwood, plants and some shade from overhanging wood, rockwork, tall or floating plants, while leaving open sand for foraging. Keep current gentle and the water well oxygenated, and do regular partial water changes, as Corydoras are sensitive to nitrate and dirty substrate. PlanetCatfish notes that this species settles best where it has shade and only a slight current. PlanetCatfish gives 22–25 °C and pH 6.0–7.0. FishBase gives a wider pH range (6.0–8.0) and 21–25 °C; we use the PlanetCatfish figures. Identification and sexing: a slender, slightly elongated cory with a rounded head; dark spots are concentrated on the front half of the body behind the gill cover and fade out behind the dorsal fin, and there is a vertical dark band across the base of the tail. Females grow larger and are noticeably broader and fuller-bodied when seen from above; mature males are slimmer and have more pointed tips to the paired fins. Name: now classified as Hoplisoma osteocarus after the 2024 split of Corydoras; still sold as Corydoras osteocarus and listed as C060. Status: IUCN Least Concern (assessed 2020, per FishBase). Imported occasionally; also turns up as a by-catch among other small cories. Sources: PlanetCatfish (planetcatfish.com/common/species.php?speciesid=864); FishBase (fishbase.se/summary/Corydoras-osteocarus.html). Checked October 2026.

Diet

An omnivorous scavenger that sifts the sand for small invertebrates. Offer good-quality sinking pellets, tablets or granules as the staple, plus frozen or live bloodworm, Daphnia, brine shrimp and small worms several times a week (bloodworm and mosquito larvae are favourites). Make sure food actually reaches the bottom, as faster mid-water fish will take it first, and feed some after lights-out.

Breeding

PlanetCatfish reports that it breeds readily when well-conditioned adults are given a drop in water temperature (a cooler water change), and that spawning is typically frenzied. FishBase records about 300 eggs attached to plants in captivity, hatching in 3–4 days at about 21 °C. Little is recorded about rearing the fry, but they can be expected to need the same care as other small cories: move the eggs to a separate container with gentle aeration, remove any fungused eggs, and feed the fry infusoria or microworm, then baby brine shrimp and crushed foods, keeping the water very clean.

Compatibility and tank mates

A peaceful shoaling catfish for a calm community of similar-sized fish: small tetras, pencilfish, hatchetfish, rasboras, dwarf cichlids such as Apistogramma, and other Corydoras or small plecos. As a small, slim species it does best with gentle tankmates that will not crowd it at feeding time. Avoid large or boisterous cichlids, fin-nippers that pester bottom-dwellers, and any fish big enough to swallow it. Very small shrimp fry may be eaten, but adult shrimp and snails are left alone.

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

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