Northern longnose cory (Corydoras septentrionalis) care guide

Group

Freshwater fish

Other names

Northern long-nosed corydoras, Corydoras cortesi (synonym), Corydoras septentrionalis

Family

Callichthyidae (armoured catfishes)

Origin

South America: the Orinoco basin in Venezuela and Colombia (type locality the Río Piña near Maturín, Venezuela).

Water

freshwater

Maximum size

4.9 cm

Temperature

22–26°C

pH

6–7.5

Hardness

Adaptable; soft to moderately hard (2–25 dGH)

Minimum tank

80 litres

Care level

beginner

Temperament

peaceful

Care

A long-snouted Corydoras for a group of six or more. Allow around 80 litres for a group (our estimate from adult size), with plenty of open sand. 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 suggests either a dry-season style set-up with leaf litter and wood, or a rainy-season style with sand or gravel, wood and stone caves; FishBase notes it lives in spring-fed waters with some current. PlanetCatfish describes it as very adaptable with no special water needs, giving 22–26 °C and pH 6.0–7.5. FishBase gives 20–26 °C and pH 6.0–8.0. Identification and sexing: a long-snouted species with the usual twin rows of body plates; the tail fin rays are banded brown and white, forming six or seven bars across the fin. 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: still placed in Corydoras by PlanetCatfish and FishBase. Corydoras cortesi is a synonym. Status: IUCN Least Concern (assessed 2020). Sources: PlanetCatfish (planetcatfish.com/common/species.php?speciesid=390); FishBase (fishbase.se/summary/Corydoras-septentrionalis.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. Make sure food actually reaches the bottom, as faster mid-water fish will take it first, and feed some after lights-out.

Breeding

PlanetCatfish has no aquarium breeding report. FishBase describes the typical Corydoras method: the female holds the fertilised eggs between her pelvic fins and then sticks them to a suitable surface, producing around 100 eggs per spawning. To try, condition a group on live and frozen foods and trigger spawning with a large, slightly cooler water change. Remove the eggs to a separate container and raise the fry on microworm and baby brine shrimp in very clean water.

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. It suits most calm tropical community tanks. 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.