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Giant cory (Corydoras britskii) — Callichthyidae

Giant cory

Corydoras britskii

The Giant cory (Corydoras britskii) is a freshwater fish of the family Callichthyidae that grows up to 9 cm.

Length
8.8 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Omnivore
Behaviour
Schooling
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Venomous / poisonous

Description

The Giant cory is an armoured dwarf catfish (Callichthyidae) from clear streams and blackwater creeks of the Paraguay basin in South America. The species grows to about 5 cm and has a stocky body with two rows of overlapping bony plates, short barbels and an inferior mouth. As a peaceful, social bottom-dweller it roots through sand in small groups searching for insect larvae, small worms and detritus; sometimes it darts to the surface to gulp air. The dorsal and pectoral spines are mildly venomous and can give a painful prick when handled.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Giant cory?

The Giant cory has an elongate, eel-like body and is mainly brown.

Where does the Giant cory live?

The Giant cory lives in fresh water and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom.

How big does the Giant cory get?

The Giant cory grows to a maximum of about 9 cm.

Is the Giant cory dangerous to humans?

The Giant cory is venomous — handle spines with care and seek medical help after a sting if needed.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Britski's pantsermeerval sourced
English name
Giant cory sourced
Scientific name
Corydoras britskii
Family
Callichthyidae
Other names
Britski's catfish sourced

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
8.8 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Barbels
Yes sourced
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Omnivore inferred
Social behaviour
Schooling sourced
Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Nocturnal inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Fishing method
Klein van stuk en nauwelijks een hengelsportdoel; wordt vooral incidenteel of als aasvis gevangen. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Venomous / poisonous verified

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Corydoras

More from the family Callichthyidae

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