The Flagtail Corydoras is a striking and highly sought-after bottom dweller native to the Rio Negro basin. Characterized by the distinct black and white horizontal stripes on its caudal fin, it requires a soft sand substrate to protect its delicate barbels while foraging. Like all Corydoras, it is a highly social schooling fish and must be kept in groups to feel secure and display natural behaviors.
Flagtail Cory (Mrs Schwartz's Cory) At a Glance
Flagtail Cory (Mrs Schwartz's Cory) Tank Requirements
Will Flagtail Cory (Mrs Schwartz's Cory) fit in your tank?
Care guides tell you what Flagtail Cory (Mrs Schwartz's Cory) needs, the next question is whether your tank can safely provide it. Test Flagtail Cory (Mrs Schwartz's Cory) against your tank size, maintenance needs, and the fish you already keep before you buy.
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Flagtail Cory (Mrs Schwartz's Cory) Water Parameters
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Flagtail Cory (Mrs Schwartz's Cory) Temperament & Compatibility
Flagtail Cory (Mrs Schwartz's Cory) Varieties
Each variety inherits the species defaults above. Only differences are highlighted.
Standard
The standard commercial and wild-type form of the Flagtail Cory. Must be kept in a minimum group of 6, though larger groups (10+) will result in significantly more active and confident behavior.
Same care requirements as the base species
Also known as: Wild Type
Flagtail Cory (Mrs Schwartz's Cory) Care Guide Summary
The Flagtail Cory (Mrs Schwartz's Cory), scientifically known as Corydoras robineae, belongs to the Catfish family group. Adults reach a maximum size of approximately 5.5 cm and have a fusiform body shape with a moderate growth rate. Classified as peaceful, this species primarily occupies the bottom zone of the aquarium and produces a low level of biological waste.
To thrive, the Flagtail Cory (Mrs Schwartz's Cory) requires a freshwater only aquarium with a minimum volume of 60 litres and a tank length of at least 60 cm. Water temperature should be maintained between 24°C and 28°C, with a pH range of 6–7.5 and a general hardness of 2–12 dGH. A moderate water flow is preferred.
The Flagtail Cory (Mrs Schwartz's Cory) is a rewarding species to keep, provided its core environmental needs are met. The Flagtail Cory (Mrs Schwartz's Cory) is typically available in one standard form.
Flagtail Cory (Mrs Schwartz's Cory) Habitat Setup
When setting up an aquarium for the Flagtail Cory (Mrs Schwartz's Cory), a moderate water flow best suits their natural preferences. Because this species occupies the bottom zone, the aquarium layout should prioritise sufficient floor space with hiding spots among rocks, wood, or dense planting. Useful additions include a sand substrate to accommodate their sifting behaviour and leaf litter or blackwater tannins to replicate their natural soft-water habitat.
Flagtail Cory (Mrs Schwartz's Cory) Compatibility Notes
Classified as peaceful, the Flagtail Cory (Mrs Schwartz's Cory) is a schooling species that feels most secure in a sizeable group, where natural shoaling behaviour reduces stress and brings out their best colours. Selecting tankmates that favour different water layers from the bottom zone can help reduce competition and territorial overlap.
Flagtail Cory (Mrs Schwartz's Cory) Recommended Tank Sizes
Standard aquarium sizes that meet the minimum volume and length requirements for Flagtail Cory (Mrs Schwartz's Cory).
20 Gallon High
20 Gallon Long
29 Gallon Standard
30 Gallon Breeder
36 Gallon Bowfront
40 Gallon Breeder
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Frequently Asked Questions About Flagtail Cory (Mrs Schwartz's Cory)
How big does Flagtail Cory (Mrs Schwartz's Cory) get?
Flagtail Cory (Mrs Schwartz's Cory) (Corydoras robineae) typically reaches a maximum adult size of approximately 5.5 cm. They have a fusiform body shape and a moderate growth rate.
What tank size does Flagtail Cory (Mrs Schwartz's Cory) need?
A minimum aquarium volume of 60 litres and a tank length of at least 60 cm are recommended for Flagtail Cory (Mrs Schwartz's Cory). This ensures enough swimming space and helps maintain stable water conditions.
What water parameters does Flagtail Cory (Mrs Schwartz's Cory) need?
Flagtail Cory (Mrs Schwartz's Cory) thrives in freshwater only conditions with a temperature range of 24–28°C, a pH between 6 and 7.5, and a general hardness of 2–12 dGH. A moderate water flow is preferred.
Is Flagtail Cory (Mrs Schwartz's Cory) peaceful or aggressive?
Flagtail Cory (Mrs Schwartz's Cory) is classified as peaceful with an aggression score of 1 out of 10. They are generally well-suited to peaceful community tanks.
How many Flagtail Cory (Mrs Schwartz's Cory) should be kept together?
Flagtail Cory (Mrs Schwartz's Cory) is a schooling species and should be kept in groups of at least 6. Larger groups help distribute aggression and encourage natural schooling behaviour.
Does Flagtail Cory (Mrs Schwartz's Cory) have any special tank requirements?
Yes. Flagtail Cory (Mrs Schwartz's Cory) benefits from sand (sifters) and leaf litter/blackwater in the aquarium. These features help replicate their natural habitat and promote overall health and well-being.
Top Tank Mates for Flagtail Cory (Mrs Schwartz's Cory)
These fish are strong compatibility matches for Flagtail Cory (Mrs Schwartz's Cory) based on water preferences, temperament, adult size, and tank behavior.
Horned Nerite Snail
Clithon corona
Ideal Tank MatesAlligator Pleco
Pterygoplichthys scrophus
Ideal Tank MatesGolden Bristlenose Pleco
Ancistrus sp. L144
Ideal Tank MatesRamshorn Snail
Planorbidae fam.
Ideal Tank MatesAssassin Snail
Anentome helena
Ideal Tank MatesBristlenose Pleco
Ancistrus cf. cirrhosus
Ideal Tank MatesPlants That Suit Flagtail Cory (Mrs Schwartz's Cory)
These plants pair well with Flagtail Cory (Mrs Schwartz's Cory) based on shared water preferences, layout fit, and how likely they are to hold up in the same aquarium.
African Onion Plant
Crinum calamistratum
Afzel's Anubias
Anubias afzelii
Amazon Sword
Echinodorus amazonicus
Anacharis
Egeria densa
Anubias Barteri
Anubias barteri
Ashy Pipewort
Eriocaulon cinereum
Fish Similar to Flagtail Cory (Mrs Schwartz's Cory)
Schwartz's Cory
Corydoras schwartzi
A peaceful and active bottom-dwelling catfish native to the Purus River basin in Brazil. Identifiable by its striking pattern of black horizontal stripes and a tall dorsal fin. Like all Corydoras, they are highly social shoaling fish that must be kept in groups and require a soft sand substrate to protect their delicate sensory barbels.
Black Fin Cory
Corydoras leucomelas
A peaceful schooling catfish native to the Amazon basin, easily identified by its black dorsal fin and a dark mask-like band across its eyes. Like all Corydoras, they are bottom-dwellers that use sensitive barbels to forage. They possess a modified intestine allowing them to gulp atmospheric air, so occasional darts to the surface are normal. They are highly social and require a soft sandy substrate to prevent barbel erosion.
Loxozonus Corydoras (C079/C082)
Corydoras loxozonus
A peaceful, bottom-dwelling catfish native to the Rio Meta basin in Colombia. Known for the distinctive diagonal black stripe across its back and a mask over its eyes. Like all Corydoras, they are highly social and must be kept in groups. A soft, sandy substrate is strictly required to prevent damage to their delicate barbels as they sift for food.
Agassiz Cory
Corydoras agassizii
A peaceful, bottom-dwelling armored catfish native to the Amazon River basin. They are easily identified by their silvery body with dark spots and a distinct black mask over their eyes. Like all Corydoras, they are highly social and must be kept in groups. A soft sand substrate is absolutely essential to protect their delicate sensory barbels as they forage.
Black Corydoras
Corydoras schultzei
The Black Cory is a striking, deeply melanistic morph of Corydoras schultzei (often confused with C. aeneus). These peaceful, armored bottom-dwellers are highly social and must be kept in large groups to thrive. A soft sand substrate is absolutely critical to prevent damage to their sensitive foraging barbels.
Bandit Cory
Corydoras metae
A highly social, peaceful bottom-dwelling catfish endemic to the Rio Meta basin in Colombia. Instantly recognizable by the black 'bandit' mask over its eyes and the dark ridge stripe along its back. Like all Corydoras, they must be kept on a soft sand substrate to prevent severe damage and infection to their sensitive foraging barbels. They are schooling fish that require groups of at least 6 to thrive and display natural behavior.