Home · Callichthyidae · Light cory
Light cory (Corydoras guianensis) — Callichthyidae

Light cory

Corydoras guianensis
LC · Least Concern

The Light cory (Corydoras guianensis) is a freshwater fish of the family Callichthyidae that grows up to 4 cm.

Length
4.2 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Schooling
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Not eaten

Description

The Guyana corydoras is a small armoured catfish of the family Callichthyidae from the Guianas in South America. The species grows to only about 4 cm and has the stocky body characteristic of Corydoras, armoured with two rows of bony plates, and short barbels at the mouth. It lives in schools of several dozen individuals in creeks with a sandy bottom. Rooting around, it searches with its barbels for small invertebrates, worms and detritus. Corydoras occasionally breathe gut air at the surface. The stout pectoral spines can prick, so careful handling is advised.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Light cory?

The Light cory has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly brown and shows a spots pattern.

Where does the Light cory live?

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

How big does the Light cory get?

The Light cory grows to a maximum of about 4 cm.

Is the Light cory dangerous to humans?

No, the Light cory is harmless to humans.

Is the Light cory edible?

The Light cory is not usually eaten.

Download Fin's Fish Guide

Identify fish in seconds, log your catches and dives. Join the TestFlight beta.

Get the beta →

All data

Identification

Dutch name
Guyana-pantsermeerval sourced
English name
Light cory verified
Scientific name
Corydoras guianensis
Family
Callichthyidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
4.2 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Brown inferred
Pattern
Spots inferred
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Mouth position
Inferior (downward) inferred
Lips
Thick / fleshy inferred
Barbels
Yes sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous inferred
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

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

Behaviour & biology

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

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten sourced
Fishing method
Geen doelsoort voor de hengelsport; hooguit incidentele vangst of bruikbaar als aasvisje. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced

Status & sources

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

Same genus Corydoras

More from the family Callichthyidae

Download Fin's Fish Guide

Identify fish in seconds, log your catches and dives. Join the TestFlight beta.

Get the beta →