Home · Callichthyidae · Bandit corydoras
Bandit corydoras (Corydoras melini) — Callichthyidae

Bandit corydoras

Corydoras melini

The Bandit corydoras (Corydoras melini) is a freshwater fish of the family Callichthyidae that grows up to 5 cm.

Length
5 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Omnivore
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless

Description

The Bandit corydoras is a small armoured catfish (Callichthyidae) from fresh water of the Rio Negro and Meta area in northwestern South America. The species grows to about 5 cm and has a stocky body with two rows of overlapping bony plates and three pairs of barbels around an underslung mouth. A black band runs across the eyes and a second runs obliquely through the back to the tail base. As a gregarious bottom-dweller it roots in groups through soft sand in search of worms, larvae and detritus and can take a gulp of air at the surface. The fish is harmless to humans and is popular in the aquarium trade.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Bandit corydoras?

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

Where does the Bandit corydoras live?

The Bandit corydoras lives in fresh water and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom.

How big does the Bandit corydoras get?

The Bandit corydoras grows to a maximum of about 5 cm.

Is the Bandit corydoras dangerous to humans?

No, the Bandit corydoras is harmless to humans.

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
Bandiet-pantsermeerval sourced
English name
Bandit corydoras sourced
Scientific name
Corydoras melini
Family
Callichthyidae
Other names
False bandit catfish verified

Appearance

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

Habitat & distribution

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

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Omnivore inferred
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
Harmless verified

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 →