The Adolfo's Cory Catfish (Corydoras adolfoi) is a rare and attractive-colored species. Although it is uncommon in the aquarium hobby, it is highly sought after owing to its beautiful orange-yellow head color as it matures. It's a pretty active, distinctively marked schooling fish that's ideal for the nano, community, or planted aquarium.
The Adolfo's Cory Catfish is a docile schooling fish that can be kept with nearly all nano aquarium animals, including dwarf cichlids and angelfish. It is not dangerous to most peaceful ornamental invertebrates, including larger dwarf shrimp, but it does prey on smaller dwarf shrimp. It is a typical scavenger that will dwell in and feed at the aquarium bottom.
Because the soft underbelly of this tiny, delicate fish is extremely sensitive to coarse substrate, it should be maintained in an aquarium with sand or very smooth gravel. This fish is easy to maintain, as it will consume most dry, frozen, and live foods. It can thrive in a wide range of tropical freshwater settings as long as appropriate maintenance is carried out and drastic changes are avoided.
Corydoras Adolfoi are known as "cleaners." They are, in fact, scavengers, but they will never replace the role of the aquarist! It won't consume its own or other fish's feces. However, it will consume dying tissue, bacteria, leftover food, and other decaying matter. This makes them a valuable addition to the aquarium as they help keep the water quality high.
Characteristics of Corydoras Adolfoi:
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Quick Facts About Corydoras Adolfoi
Habitat in the wild
The name of the discoverer and legendary fish fancier Adolfo Schwartz was given to the Adolfoi cory catfish species, because he is responsible for spreading information about the fish throughout the world.
It appears that this Corydoras species is limited to the Rio Negro tributaries in Brazil's Sao Gabriel da Cachoeira municipality. However, according to some sources, certain fish species are found in the Uaupes River, which is Rio Negro's primary tributary. Currently, there is no information that may be taken as more trustworthy.
Catfish prefer sluggish blackwater tributaries and flooded woodlands with water that has a similar tea color due to the presence of tannin and tanning chemicals. Such water has low hardness and a pH of 4.0 to 6.0. Small-sized Characin fish species and dwarf cichlids are two common inhabitants of such basins.
Corydoras Adolfoi Care
Adolfo's Cory is a beautiful, sought-after species that is best suited to smaller soft water aquariums. In order to safeguard the delicate barbel region, a soft sand substrate is required. Among bogwood/aquatic plants, provide enough shaded resting places.
Corydoras adolfoi must be maintained in groups of five or more. Before introducing this fish, the aquarium should be completely mature and regular partial water changes are required because they can be susceptible to high nitrate levels.
Other calm fish from the tetra, pencilfish, and rasbora families are also suitable tankmates. Corydoras can breathe air through their intestines, so a tiny gap should be left between the surface of the water and the cover slides to allow them to come up for air. It may repeat this numerous times a day.
Corydoras Adolfoi Size
The fish will grow in length up to 2.2 - 2.4 inches (5.5 - 6 cm). To reach their full potential size good water quality as well as balanced and regular meals are crucial.
Corydoras Adolfoi Lifespan
The typical lifetime of Corydoras Adolfoi is about 5 years. The lifespan of Corydoras may be shorter or longer, depending on the size, age, and general condition of the fish.
Corydoras Adolfoi Appearance
The Corydoras Adolfoi is a tiny, brightly colored, and peaceful aquarium catfish. Corydoras Adolfoi is an unusual variant of Corydoras, since it lacks scales and is highly sensitive to salt, chemicals, and medications. It has bright orange-yellow head colors as it matures, making it immediately identifiable.
Its whiskers are utilized to look for food on the ground. The term "catfish" is derived from these whiskers. In the case of a sting, it's difficult to remove the real harpoon since it's like a genuine harpoon. In addition, at this time, the Corydoras injects a maximum amount of toxins.
Most of the time, they will flee for such a situation to happen. But be careful when you put your hands in the water! To prevent a fish from getting stuck in it, use a big mesh net. Corydoras Adolfoi have an amusing winking behavior that's entertaining to observe!
Corydoras Adolfoi Sexual Dimorphism
Females generally grow larger and more robust, and sexually mature individuals are considerably rounder and wider-bodied than males, especially while pregnant.
Corydoras Adolfoi Behavior
This fish is not aggressive, peaceful, or energetic. It's also lively and active, constantly stirring the floor in search of food. It also enjoys playing in the current, in the middle of the aquarium, and along the windows.
If your Corydoras are entirely inactive during the day, it's most likely due to a cohabitation (other species intimidate them) problem, a too few number of individuals, an unsuitable aquarium or the water temperature that is too low. Check these items and you'll see that your Corydoras are active at all times of day!
It must satisfy its sociable urge in order to feel good. In fact, it will rapidly develop in a group of at least eight individuals. There's no doubt that the higher the number, the better! Do not be afraid to put the most Corydoras in your aquarium, as long as it has enough volume. According to this point, it is assumed that:
The more individuals you have, the more their behavior will be similar to that seen in nature, where Corydoras congregate in groups of hundreds of fish!
Even if the corydoras are extremely nervous, you may teach them to become accustomed to your presence with gentleness and patience. The secret is to create very, very slow and peaceful gestures at all times. When your corydoras don't flee you, it indicates a level of satisfaction, security, and self-assurance that is far greater than usual!
Corydoras Adolfoi Diet and Feeding
The fish isn't picky about its diet, and it will consume anything. Adolfo's catfish should be fed a varied diet, and you should give it a variety of meals. Catfish will eat anything, frozen, live, or artificial. The fish will consume a wide range of foods. Catfish enjoy special pellets made for them as well.
The problem is that little of the food reaches the tank bottom since most of it is consumed by the fish in the middle water layers. If you notice that your catfish aren't receiving adequate nutrition, offer them food after you turn off the light.
Corydoras Adolfoi Tank Mates
As you can see, the ideal tank companions are ones from the same species. It's important to remember that many Corydoras species cannot be kept in the same aquarium. Adolfo's catfish won't stay with panda cory in the same school. The school should be made up of fish of the same species.
You may have any fish that lives in the upper and medium water strata as tankmates; they should not, however, be excessively big or aggressive. If these fish are non-aggressive toward Adolfo's catfish, they will be able to cohabit in the tank.
Corydoras Adolfoi Tank Setup
In general, two criteria are required for the Freshwater Corydoras Adolfoi aquarium: a non-cutting substrate and good filtration.
Substrate: It's critical to use sand or fine gravel (like beach sand). Sand was proved to be essential for the oral hygiene of Corydoras. The Corydoras also use this sand to eliminate any parasites that might be fatal to them, by swallowing it at top speed and spitting it out of their gills in order to search for food. It's critical to avoid sharp surfaces, such as quartz, which can damage your fish's barbels and cause them to be completely destroyed.
Filter: It is the current, more than the length of the facade, that is essential for Corydoras in an aquarium. They are, in fact, excellent swimmers and athletes! So, use a powerful current on the "middle" section of the aquarium while decreasing the current in areas like the bottom and the surface.
You'll see your Corydoras devour food as it swims against the current in this location (if no other species scares them)! For everyone to get some rest, reduce the intensity of the current during the night or turn it off.
If you want to replicate the natural habitat of the Corydoras Adolfoi and enhance its wellbeing, use driftwood roots to construct attractive hiding places that don't get planted too densely. You may also use alder fruits and dried leaves in the aquarium to provide a natural look (you'll have to replace them before they decay).
You may leave on a portion of 50 to 80 percent of sand beaches required for the hunt, 30 to 40 percent of wood, and 10 to 20 percent of plants. If your fish are happy in their tank, they will not hesitate to move. A Corydoras that cannot swim is a distressed fish in its aquarium.
Choose robust plants with broad leaves and sluggish development for your tank. In an aquarium, avoid using fertilizer since it is strongly discouraged in Corydoras community tanks. Choose plants that do not require this kind of fertilizers for their growth.
Make sure there is plenty of sand beach available for Corydoras to search the substrate, regardless of your design choices.
The sensitivity of Corydoras to water pollution is considerable. So make 10 to 20 percent of water changes each week.
This fish needs special care, clean water and stabilized conditions. If you detect symptoms of stress, such as increased breathing and then lethargy, change 50% of the water immediately. Be cautious, the new water must have identical parameters as the tank's water, including temperature. It's not a good idea to isolate your sick fish if you can help it.
Stick the hospital tray to the main tank so that the sick Corydoras may view its relatives. This species, like all Corydoras, is able to swallow a bubble on the surface. It is, in fact, an example of "intestinal" breathing in which the fish can use when necessary to supplement its oxygen supply.
In exceptional circumstances, Corydoras are capable of killing a human. Take notice of their pectorals or backbones! Depending on the species, they may have hematotoxin poisons, hepatotoxic poisons, neurotoxins which are all capable of causing death.
Corydoras Adolfoi Breeding / Reproduction Corydoras Adolfoi
The breeding of Corydoras Adolfoi is, in fact, comparable to that of one of the other species. When breeding the fish, put one female and two males in a separate tank and feed them rich food.
When the female fish has been rounded with eggs, replace half of the water in the tank with fresh and chilly water( about 50-70%), while increasing the water flow. Repeat these steps until the fish start spawning.
Adolfo's catfish may lay their eggs on the bottom of the tank, but it is suggested that some tank plants with lobed leaves or a shower pouf made of synthetic mesh be added. Remove the fish or eggs after the spawning has ended. If you eliminate the eggs, the new tank's water parameters should be identical to those in the original tank.
To prevent fungal infection, most breeders add methylene blue or other chemicals to the tank.
Corydoras Adolfoi Fry
The eggs should hatch in 3 to 4 days, and the fry will be able to swim freely a few days later. It continues until the larvae have eaten the yolk sacs contents and started feeding on their own. You may begin feeding Brine Shrimp Pellets to young fish. Other live foods, such as microworm are also encouraged. Daily water changes of 10-20% are recommended.
You should make sure that the Corydoras Adolfoi fry have a lot of hiding spots. The plants you picked for the breeding tank will be sufficient.
Start feeding Corydoras Adolfoi fry 3-4 times per day with live food like brine shrimp or micro worms. When they get bigger, feed them bloodworms or daphnia.
Corydoras Adolfoi Diseases
Corydoras are quite sensitive to water pollution, so make sure you do regular water changes. If your fish is acting strangely, check the water parameters first. If they seem off, do a big water change immediately. If your fish is still acting sick after you’ve done a water change, quarantining them is your best bet.
Some common diseases that can affect Corydoras are Ich, velvet disease, hole in the head, and fin rot. If you notice any of these symptoms, quarantine your fish immediately and treat them with the appropriate medication. Corydoras are also susceptible to stress, so try to reduce stressors in their environment as much as possible.
FAQ:
How Big Do Adolfoi Corydoras Get?
Most Adolfoi Corydoras only grow to be about 2 inches long. However, some individuals have been known to reach lengths of 3 inches. 2.2 - 2.4 inches is the average size for this species.
Some of the factors that can affect a fish’s size are the quality of its environment and the availability of food.
How Do You Breed Corydoras Adolfoi?
To breed Corydoras Adolfoi, put one female and two males in a separate tank and feed them rich food. When the female fish is rounded with eggs, replace half of the water in the tank with fresh and chilly water (about 50-70%), while increasing the water flow. Repeat the process until the fish begin to spawn.
How Long Do Corydoras Adolfoi Live?
The average lifespan for Corydoras Adolfoi is up to 5 years, but some individuals have been known to live for 7-8 years or more with proper care.
Corydoras Duplicareus Vs Adolfoi, What is the Difference?
Adolfoi Corydoras are often confused with a very close species: the Corydoras Duplicareus. In reality, the only distinction is that the black band of Corydoras Adolfoi is thinner than that of Corydoras Duplicareus.
The posterior edge of the pectoral fin sharp spine of Corydoras duplicareus has serrations, whereas Corydoras adolfoi does not. It's difficult to perceive this in a regular aquarium. The greatest approach to tell if your fish have these serrations is to place them in a shallow, preferably white, container and shine a light up from below.
With the help of a magnifying glass, you should be able to tell whether there are any serrations. The black band of Corydoras duplicareus is generally a little thicker than the black band of Corydoras adolfoi, and it tends to be somewhat stockier than the former.
Are Corydoras Adolfoi Hardy?
Corydoras adolfoi are quite hardy and can tolerate a wide range of water conditions. However, they prefer slightly acidic to neutral water with a pH of 4.0-6.0. They also prefer water that is on the cooler side, with a temperature range of 72–86 degrees Fahrenheit.
Do Corydoras Adolfoi Need a Heater?
Corydoras adolfoi prefers water with 72-86 degrees Fahrenheit temperature, so a heater is not strictly necessary. However, if you live in an area with colder winters, a heater may be necessary to maintain a consistent water temperature.
Who Can Live With These Adolfoi Corydoras?
Like all Corydoras, the first choice of roommates for this fish will be its own relatives! You are therefore limited in terms of species that may be included in your shoal. Indeed, Corydoras do not get along, and a Corydoras Adolfoi will not join a group with a Corydoras Julii for example. So you must have the same species in your group.
It does not worry about the others in an aquarium with a variety of species, and it has no issues with collaborative cohabitation. Choose quiet roommates for your Corydoras because they are frightened by species that are too bright or too big. For example, the Ember Tetra is a great match for Corydoras adolfoi.
In the area of the bottom, we must avoid excessive competition for food. It will be ideal if the Corydoras are the sole fish in this zone of the aquarium, and no Loaches or Plecos should be present.
Final Thoughts
The Adolf Corydoras is a great addition to any peaceful community aquarium. It’s an active little fish that will add a splash of color and interest to your tank. These bottom-dwellers are easy to care for and breed, making them a perfect choice for both beginner and experienced aquarists alike.
When kept in a well-maintained tank, Corydoras adolfoi are relatively long-lived fish, with a lifespan of up to 5 years. So if you’re looking for a fun and low-maintenance pet fish, the Adolf Cory might just be the perfect choice for you!
