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.
Schwartz's Cory At a Glance
Schwartz's Cory Tank Requirements
Will Schwartz's Cory fit in your tank?
Care guides tell you what Schwartz's Cory needs, the next question is whether your tank can safely provide it. Test Schwartz's Cory against your tank size, maintenance needs, and the fish you already keep before you buy.
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Schwartz's Cory Water Parameters
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Schwartz's Cory Temperament & Compatibility
Schwartz's Cory Varieties
Each variety inherits the species defaults above. Only differences are highlighted.
Standard
The standard wild-type presentation of Schwartz's Corydoras, characterized by silver bodies with horizontal black banding and a distinct black patch over the eye.
Same care requirements as the base species
Also known as: Wild Type, Striped Cory
Schwartz's Cory Care Guide Summary
The Schwartz's Cory, scientifically known as Corydoras schwartzi, belongs to the Catfish family group. Adults reach a maximum size of approximately 6.5 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 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 22°C and 26°C, with a pH range of 6–7.5 and a general hardness of 2–15 dGH. A moderate water flow is preferred.
The Schwartz's Cory is a rewarding species to keep, provided its core environmental needs are met. The Schwartz's Cory is typically available in one standard form.
Schwartz's Cory Habitat Setup
When setting up an aquarium for the 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.
Schwartz's Cory Compatibility Notes
Classified as peaceful, the 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. When choosing tankmates, their energetic swimming style may stress more sedentary or timid species. Selecting tankmates that favour different water layers from the bottom zone can help reduce competition and territorial overlap.
Schwartz's Cory Recommended Tank Sizes
Standard aquarium sizes that meet the minimum volume and length requirements for 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 Schwartz's Cory
How big does Schwartz's Cory get?
Schwartz's Cory (Corydoras schwartzi) typically reaches a maximum adult size of approximately 6.5 cm. They have a fusiform body shape and a moderate growth rate.
What tank size does Schwartz's Cory need?
A minimum aquarium volume of 60 litres and a tank length of at least 60 cm are recommended for Schwartz's Cory. This ensures enough swimming space and helps maintain stable water conditions.
What water parameters does Schwartz's Cory need?
Schwartz's Cory thrives in freshwater only conditions with a temperature range of 22–26°C, a pH between 6 and 7.5, and a general hardness of 2–15 dGH. A moderate water flow is preferred.
Is Schwartz's Cory peaceful or aggressive?
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 Schwartz's Cory should be kept together?
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 Schwartz's Cory have any special tank requirements?
Yes. Schwartz's Cory benefits from sand (sifters) in the aquarium. These features help replicate their natural habitat and promote overall health and well-being.
Top Tank Mates for Schwartz's Cory
These fish are strong compatibility matches for Schwartz's Cory based on water preferences, temperament, adult size, and tank behavior.
Pygmy Rainbowfish
Melanotaenia pygmaea
Ideal Tank MatesPacific Blue Eye
Pseudomugil signifer
Ideal Tank MatesOgilby's Rainbowfish
Melanotaenia ogilbyi
Ideal Tank MatesNorthern Mountain Swordtail
Xiphophorus nezahualcoyotl
Ideal Tank MatesPearl Danio
Danio albolineatus
Ideal Tank MatesNew Guinea Rainbowfish
Melanotaenia affinis
Ideal Tank MatesPlants That Suit Schwartz's Cory
These plants pair well with 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 Schwartz's Cory
Flagtail Cory (Mrs Schwartz's Cory)
Corydoras robineae
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.
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.
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.
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.
Leopard Cory
Corydoras leopardus
A peaceful, highly social bottom-dwelling catfish known for its striking leopard-like spots and elongated snout. Unlike many fish, Corydoras require fine sand substrate to prevent severe damage to their delicate sensory barbels. They are obligate shoaling fish and must be kept in groups of at least 6 to feel secure and display natural continuous foraging behaviors.