Photo: Karsten Schönherr (CC BY-SA 4.0) — via Wikimedia Commons
Spotfin Corydoras (Corydoras punctatus)
A compact, spot-patterned armoured catfish from Suriname that schools along the bottom and keeps every tank tidy.
Will it live with a Spotfin Corydoras?
We compare each fish against your spotfin corydoras on temperament, size, water parameters and swimming zone. Set your tank size and filter the results.
- Agassiz's Corydoras✅ CompatiblePeaceful · 6 cm · Easy care · 22–28 °C (72–82 °F)
- Compatible on the things that matter: shared water near 22–26 °C, workable temperaments, and no predator-and-prey size gap.
- Both favour the bottom of the tank — offer enough cover so they aren't always in each other's space.
- Keep Spotfin Corydoras in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- Keep Agassiz's Corydoras in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- Banded Dwarf Cichlid✅ CompatibleSemi-aggressive · 7 cm · Medium care · 24–30 °C (75–86 °F)
- Compatible on the things that matter: shared water near 24–26 °C, workable temperaments, and no predator-and-prey size gap.
- Both favour the bottom of the tank — offer enough cover so they aren't always in each other's space.
- Keep Spotfin Corydoras in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- Betta✅ CompatibleSemi-aggressive · 6.5 cm · Easy care · 24–28 °C (75–82 °F)
- Peaceful + Semi-aggressive, but with no direct clash here, and their water overlaps around 24–26 °C — no size, zone or temperament conflicts.
- Keep Spotfin Corydoras in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- Black Skirt Tetra✅ CompatibleSemi-aggressive · 6 cm · Easy care · 20–26 °C (68–79 °F)
- Peaceful + Semi-aggressive, but with no direct clash here, and their water overlaps around 22–26 °C — no size, zone or temperament conflicts.
- Keep Spotfin Corydoras in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- Keep Black Skirt Tetra in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- Blackline Rasbora✅ CompatiblePeaceful · 6 cm · Easy care · 22–28 °C (72–82 °F)
- Both are peaceful, and their water overlaps around 22–26 °C — no size, zone or temperament conflicts.
- Keep Spotfin Corydoras in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- Keep Blackline Rasbora in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- Blood Red Tiger Pleco✅ CompatiblePeaceful · 6 cm · Medium care · 24–29 °C (75–84 °F)
- Both are peaceful, and their water overlaps around 24–26 °C — no size, zone or temperament conflicts.
- Both favour the bottom of the tank — offer enough cover so they aren't always in each other's space.
- Keep Spotfin Corydoras in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- Butterfly Hillstream Loach✅ CompatiblePeaceful · 6 cm · Hard care · 18–24 °C (64–75 °F)
- Both are peaceful; temperature, pH and hardness ranges all overlap and neither outsizes the other enough to be a threat.
- Both favour the bottom of the tank — offer enough cover so they aren't always in each other's space.
- Keep Spotfin Corydoras in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- Celebes Rainbowfish✅ CompatiblePeaceful · 7 cm · Medium care · 22–28 °C (72–82 °F)
- Both are peaceful; temperature, pH and hardness ranges all overlap and neither outsizes the other enough to be a threat.
- Keep Spotfin Corydoras in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- Keep Celebes Rainbowfish in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- Corydoras Catfish✅ CompatiblePeaceful · 6.5 cm · Easy care · 22–26 °C (72–79 °F)
- Compatible on the things that matter: shared water near 22–26 °C, workable temperaments, and no predator-and-prey size gap.
- Both favour the bottom of the tank — offer enough cover so they aren't always in each other's space.
- Keep Spotfin Corydoras in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- Keep Corydoras Catfish in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- Costa's Tetra✅ CompatiblePeaceful · 7 cm · Easy care · 22–28 °C (72–82 °F)
- Both are peaceful; temperature, pH and hardness ranges all overlap and neither outsizes the other enough to be a threat.
- Keep Spotfin Corydoras in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- Keep Costa's Tetra in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- Croaking Gourami✅ CompatiblePeaceful · 7 cm · Easy care · 24–28 °C (75–82 °F)
- Compatible on the things that matter: shared water near 24–26 °C, workable temperaments, and no predator-and-prey size gap.
- Keep Spotfin Corydoras in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- Desert Goby✅ CompatibleSemi-aggressive · 6 cm · Easy care · 18–28 °C (64–82 °F)
- Peaceful + Semi-aggressive, but with no direct clash here, and their water overlaps around 22–26 °C — no size, zone or temperament conflicts.
- Both favour the bottom of the tank — offer enough cover so they aren't always in each other's space.
- Keep Spotfin Corydoras in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- Diamond Tetra✅ CompatiblePeaceful · 6 cm · Easy care · 22–28 °C (72–82 °F)
- Both are peaceful; temperature, pH and hardness ranges all overlap and neither outsizes the other enough to be a threat.
- Keep Spotfin Corydoras in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- Keep Diamond Tetra in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- Eastern Betta✅ CompatibleSemi-aggressive · 6 cm · Medium care · 24–28 °C (75–82 °F)
- Peaceful + Semi-aggressive, but with no direct clash here; temperature, pH and hardness ranges all overlap and neither outsizes the other enough to be a threat.
- Keep Spotfin Corydoras in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- Hongsloi Dwarf Cichlid✅ CompatibleSemi-aggressive · 7 cm · Medium care · 24–29 °C (75–84 °F)
- Peaceful + Semi-aggressive, but with no direct clash here; temperature, pH and hardness ranges all overlap and neither outsizes the other enough to be a threat.
- Both favour the bottom of the tank — offer enough cover so they aren't always in each other's space.
- Keep Spotfin Corydoras in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- Mahachai Betta✅ CompatibleAggressive · 7 cm · Medium care · 24–30 °C (75–86 °F)
- Peaceful + Aggressive, but with no direct clash here, and their water overlaps around 24–26 °C — no size, zone or temperament conflicts.
- Keep Spotfin Corydoras in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- Peacock Gudgeon✅ CompatiblePeaceful · 7 cm · Medium care · 22–28 °C (72–82 °F)
- Both are peaceful; temperature, pH and hardness ranges all overlap and neither outsizes the other enough to be a threat.
- Keep Spotfin Corydoras in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- Peppered Corydoras✅ CompatiblePeaceful · 7 cm · Easy care · 18–26 °C (64–79 °F)
- Both are peaceful; temperature, pH and hardness ranges all overlap and neither outsizes the other enough to be a threat.
- Both favour the bottom of the tank — offer enough cover so they aren't always in each other's space.
- Keep Spotfin Corydoras in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- Keep Peppered Corydoras in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- Rio Negro Checkerboard Cichlid✅ CompatiblePeaceful · 7 cm · Hard care · 24–29 °C (75–84 °F)
- Both are peaceful; temperature, pH and hardness ranges all overlap and neither outsizes the other enough to be a threat.
- Both favour the bottom of the tank — offer enough cover so they aren't always in each other's space.
- Keep Spotfin Corydoras in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- Roundtail Paradise Fish✅ CompatibleSemi-aggressive · 7 cm · Easy care · 10–26 °C (50–79 °F)
- Peaceful + Semi-aggressive, but with no direct clash here, and their water overlaps around 22–26 °C — no size, zone or temperament conflicts.
- Keep Spotfin Corydoras in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- Spotted Corydoras✅ CompatiblePeaceful · 7 cm · Easy care · 22–27 °C (72–81 °F)
- Both are peaceful; temperature, pH and hardness ranges all overlap and neither outsizes the other enough to be a threat.
- Both favour the bottom of the tank — offer enough cover so they aren't always in each other's space.
- Keep Spotfin Corydoras in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- Keep Spotted Corydoras in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- Sterbai Corydoras✅ CompatiblePeaceful · 6.5 cm · Medium care · 24–30 °C (75–86 °F)
- Both are peaceful, and their water overlaps around 24–26 °C — no size, zone or temperament conflicts.
- Both favour the bottom of the tank — offer enough cover so they aren't always in each other's space.
- Keep Spotfin Corydoras in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- Keep Sterbai Corydoras in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- Sumo Loach✅ CompatibleSemi-aggressive · 7 cm · Medium care · 22–26 °C (72–79 °F)
- Compatible on the things that matter: shared water near 22–26 °C, workable temperaments, and no predator-and-prey size gap.
- Both favour the bottom of the tank — offer enough cover so they aren't always in each other's space.
- Keep Spotfin Corydoras in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- Umbrella Dwarf Cichlid✅ CompatibleSemi-aggressive · 7 cm · Medium care · 20–26 °C (68–79 °F)
- Peaceful + Semi-aggressive, but with no direct clash here; temperature, pH and hardness ranges all overlap and neither outsizes the other enough to be a threat.
- Both favour the bottom of the tank — offer enough cover so they aren't always in each other's space.
- Keep Spotfin Corydoras in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- African Butterfly Cichlid⚠️ With cautionSemi-aggressive · 8 cm · Medium care · 22–28 °C (72–82 °F)
- Your 75 L tank is below the ~80 L this pairing really wants — crowding raises aggression.
- Keep Spotfin Corydoras in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- Amazon Puffer⚠️ With cautionPeaceful · 8 cm · Medium care · 23–28 °C (73–82 °F)
- Your 75 L tank is below the ~120 L this pairing really wants — crowding raises aggression.
- Keep Spotfin Corydoras in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- Keep Amazon Puffer in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- Ash Lipped Apisto⚠️ With cautionSemi-aggressive · 7 cm · Hard care · 24–29 °C (75–84 °F)
- Your 75 L tank is below the ~80 L this pairing really wants — crowding raises aggression.
- Keep Spotfin Corydoras in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- Black Ruby Barb⚠️ With cautionSemi-aggressive · 6 cm · Easy care · 22–26 °C (72–79 °F)
- Your 75 L tank is below the ~100 L this pairing really wants — crowding raises aggression.
- Keep Spotfin Corydoras in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- Keep Black Ruby Barb in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- Bleeding Heart Tetra⚠️ With cautionSemi-aggressive · 7 cm · Medium care · 23–28 °C (73–82 °F)
- Your 75 L tank is below the ~80 L this pairing really wants — crowding raises aggression.
- Keep Spotfin Corydoras in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- Keep Bleeding Heart Tetra in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- Bright Diamond Tetra⚠️ With cautionPeaceful · 7 cm · Hard care · 24–28 °C (75–82 °F)
- Your 75 L tank is below the ~80 L this pairing really wants — crowding raises aggression.
- Keep Spotfin Corydoras in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- Keep Bright Diamond Tetra in a shoal of 8+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- Buenos Aires Tetra⚠️ With cautionSemi-aggressive · 7 cm · Easy care · 18–26 °C (64–79 °F)
- Your 75 L tank is below the ~80 L this pairing really wants — crowding raises aggression.
- Keep Spotfin Corydoras in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- Keep Buenos Aires Tetra in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- Colombian Tetra⚠️ With cautionSemi-aggressive · 6.5 cm · Easy care · 24–28 °C (75–82 °F)
- Your 75 L tank is below the ~114 L this pairing really wants — crowding raises aggression.
- Keep Spotfin Corydoras in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- Keep Colombian Tetra in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- Congo Tetra⚠️ With cautionPeaceful · 8 cm · Medium care · 22–28 °C (72–82 °F)
- Your 75 L tank is below the ~120 L this pairing really wants — crowding raises aggression.
- Keep Spotfin Corydoras in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- Keep Congo Tetra in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- Dwarf Chain Loach⚠️ With cautionPeaceful · 6 cm · Medium care · 24–29 °C (75–84 °F)
- Your 75 L tank is below the ~80 L this pairing really wants — crowding raises aggression.
- Keep Spotfin Corydoras in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- Keep Dwarf Chain Loach in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- Glass Catfish⚠️ With cautionPeaceful · 8 cm · Medium care · 23–28 °C (73–82 °F)
- Your 75 L tank is below the ~80 L this pairing really wants — crowding raises aggression.
- Keep Spotfin Corydoras in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- Keep Glass Catfish in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- Melon Barb⚠️ With cautionPeaceful · 7 cm · Easy care · 22–28 °C (72–82 °F)
- Your 75 L tank is below the ~80 L this pairing really wants — crowding raises aggression.
- Keep Spotfin Corydoras in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- Keep Melon Barb in a shoal of 8+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- Pantanal Corydoras⚠️ With cautionPeaceful · 8 cm · Medium care · 22–27 °C (72–81 °F)
- Your 75 L tank is below the ~110 L this pairing really wants — crowding raises aggression.
- Keep Spotfin Corydoras in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- Keep Pantanal Corydoras in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- Rounded Filament Barb⚠️ With cautionPeaceful · 7 cm · Medium care · 22–27 °C (72–81 °F)
- Your 75 L tank is below the ~80 L this pairing really wants — crowding raises aggression.
- Keep Spotfin Corydoras in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- Keep Rounded Filament Barb in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- Scissortail Rasbora⚠️ With cautionPeaceful · 8 cm · Easy care · 22–27 °C (72–81 °F)
- Your 75 L tank is below the ~90 L this pairing really wants — crowding raises aggression.
- Keep Spotfin Corydoras in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- Keep Scissortail Rasbora in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- Tiger Barb⚠️ With cautionSemi-aggressive · 7 cm · Easy care · 22–28 °C (72–82 °F)
- Your 75 L tank is below the ~95 L this pairing really wants — crowding raises aggression.
- Keep Spotfin Corydoras in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- Keep Tiger Barb in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- Discus⛔ Not recommendedPeaceful · 20 cm · Hard care · 28–31 °C (82–88 °F)
- Temperature needs don't overlap (Spotfin Corydoras 22–26 °C vs Discus 28–31 °C).
- Your 75 L tank is below the ~200 L this pairing really wants — crowding raises aggression.
- Keep Spotfin Corydoras in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- Keep Discus in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- German Blue Ram⛔ Not recommendedPeaceful · 6 cm · Hard care · 27–30 °C (81–86 °F)
- Temperature needs don't overlap (Spotfin Corydoras 22–26 °C vs German Blue Ram 27–30 °C).
- Keep Spotfin Corydoras in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
Compatibility is computed from each species' care data — a strong starting point, not a guarantee. Individual temperament varies, so always introduce new fish slowly and watch them.
Spotfin Corydoras care specs
- Care level
- Easy
- Breeding
- Hard
- Max size
- 6.5 cm (2.6 in)
- Min tank size
- 60 L (15.9 gal)
- Temperature
- 22–26 °C (72–79 °F)
- pH
- 6–7.8
- Hardness
- 2–15 dGH
- Lifespan
- 3–5 years
- Diet
- Omnivore
- Swim level
- Bottom
- Group size
- 6+ (shoaling)
- Family
- Callichthyidae
- Origin
- South America — Suriname River basin (Suriname) and Iracoubo River basin (French Guiana)
What is a Spotfin Corydoras?
The spotfin corydoras (Corydoras punctatus) is a small armoured catfish that grows to about 6.5 cm (2.5 in), named for the bold black blotch at the base of its dorsal fin. The rest of the body is silver-grey with scattered dark spots along the flanks — a clean pattern that reads well against pale sandy substrate.
Like all Callichthyidae, it is protected by two rows of bony scutes, carries lockable pectoral and dorsal spines, and supplements gill breathing by gulping air at the surface. It is entirely peaceful and one of the more manageable corydoras for a soft-water community tank. Following a 2024 revision, it also trades under the name Hoplisoma punctatum, so expect to see both on labels and in literature.
Where does the Spotfin Corydoras come from?
Wild spotfin corydoras are native to the Suriname River basin in Suriname and the Iracoubo River basin in French Guiana — a relatively compact South American range. Habitat is classic soft blackwater: warm, gently acidic, low current, sandy or leaf-littered bottom with submerged roots and driftwood. Replicating even an approximation of that environment makes a visible difference to activity levels, colour saturation, and willingness to spawn.
What tank size and setup does the Spotfin Corydoras need?
A school of six needs at least 60 litres (16 gal) with a generous footprint. Prioritise floor area over height — corydoras patrol the bottom horizontally and benefit far more from a long, wide tank than a tall, narrow one.
Substrate is the most critical choice: fine sand or smooth, rounded gravel only. Sharp or angular substrate erodes the barbels corydoras use to locate food. Damaged barbels become infected, and a corydoras that cannot use its barbels cannot feed properly. Decor of driftwood, smooth rocks, and broad-leafed plants provides shaded resting zones. Keep filter output diffused; sustained strong current at floor level stresses fish that evolved in calm streams. A tight lid matters — corydoras surface-dash to breathe and can jump from an open tank.
What water parameters does the Spotfin Corydoras need?
- Temperature: 22–26 °C (72–79 °F). Slightly cooler than many tropicals; sustained temperatures above 27 °C shorten lifespan.
- pH: 6.0–7.8. Best toward the softer, more acidic end.
- Hardness: 2–15 dGH. Very hard, alkaline water causes chronic stress over time.
Stability matters as much as hitting precise numbers. Cycle the tank fully before adding fish, maintain weekly water changes of 25–30 %, and keep nitrates below 20 ppm. These fish are hardy within their preferred range but are not forgiving of neglected water chemistry.
What do Spotfin Corydoras eat?
Spotfin corydoras are bottom-foraging omnivores. A practical rotation:
- Sinking pellets or wafers as the daily staple.
- Frozen bloodworm two or three times a week for conditioning.
- Frozen daphnia or brine shrimp for variety.
- Blanched vegetables (zucchini, spinach) for plant-based nutrition.
Feed after lights-out or at dusk when they are most active. Confirm that sinking food reaches the bottom before mid-water tank-mates consume it — corydoras need to locate it first.
Are Spotfin Corydoras peaceful — and what fish can live with them?
Spotfin corydoras are among the most reliably peaceful fish in the hobby. They occupy the bottom zone exclusively, making them natural partners for mid-water and surface species. Suitable companions include small tetras, peaceful rasboras, dwarf gouramis, and temperate livebearers. Avoid large cichlids, aggressive barbs, or anything large enough to view a 6.5 cm catfish as prey. Tank-mate water requirements must also align — avoid species that demand hard, alkaline water above 20 dGH.
For a full, filterable list of compatible and incompatible species, see Spotfin Corydoras tank mates.
How do you tell male from female Spotfin Corydoras?
Sexing is most reliable in well-conditioned adults viewed from above. Females are noticeably deeper-bodied and broader across the abdomen, especially when gravid. Males are slimmer and carry markedly longer, thicker pectoral fin spines with visible spikelets along the posterior edge — a feature pronounced in this species. These differences are unreliable in juveniles below about 3 cm; wait for the group to mature before confirming the sex ratio.
How do Spotfin Corydoras breed?
Breeding is rated hard. Success requires conditioning with live and frozen foods, then simulating a rainy-season temperature drop: lower tank temperature by 4–5 °C over two to three days using cooler aged water, then slowly raise it back. This mimics the seasonal dilution and cooling that triggers spawning in the wild.
Spawning follows corydoras convention: the female clasps the male in the T-position, fertilises eggs held in her pelvic fins, then deposits adhesive clusters on glass or broad plant leaves. Clutch size is modest — roughly 20–50 eggs. Remove adults or eggs after spawning. Eggs hatch in 3–5 days at 24 °C; feed fry infusoria and micro-worm initially, then baby brine shrimp as they grow.
What diseases affect Spotfin Corydoras?
- Barbel erosion / bacterial infection: Caused by sharp substrate or poor water quality. The barbels shorten, redden and become infected. Prevention is substrate choice and water hygiene.
- Ich (white spot): White pinhead dots on body and fins, typically following stress or chilling. Quarantine all new fish for at least two weeks before adding them to an established tank.
- Columnaris and bacterial ulcers: Pale patches, fraying fins, or skin ulcers — almost always linked to poor water quality or physical injury.
- Red blotch disease: Subcutaneous haemorrhaging, stress- and water-quality-related.
The pattern is consistent: the great majority of corydoras health problems trace to substrate quality, water chemistry, or skipped water changes. Address those first.
Health note: Disease diagnosis and medication dosing are beyond the scope of a care profile. Corydoras are sensitive to certain treatments — particularly salt and copper-based medications — so verify compatibility with a reputable aquatics-health source before medicating.
How long do Spotfin Corydoras live?
A well-maintained spotfin corydoras lives 3–5 years. The upper end is achievable with soft, clean water, fine-sand substrate, a stable group of at least six, and a varied diet. Substandard conditions — hard water, sharp gravel, solitary housing, or poor nutrition — compress that range noticeably. A healthy school is active and consistently entertaining across several years in a well-run community aquarium.
Frequently asked questions
Is Corydoras punctatus the same as Hoplisoma punctatum?
Yes — a 2024 taxonomic revision resurrected the older genus name Hoplisoma for this species, so you will see both names in current literature. In the aquarium trade it is still most commonly sold as Corydoras punctatus or the spotfin corydoras.
What makes the spotfin corydoras different from other Corydoras species?
The defining field mark is the bold black blotch at the base of the dorsal fin — the "spotfin" — combined with scattered dark spots along the silver-grey flanks. It is also somewhat smaller and prefers slightly cooler, softer water than common corydoras like C. aeneus.
What you need to keep a spotfin corydoras
The baseline is a heated, filtered 60 L+ tank: a reliable heater to hold 22–26 °C (72–79 °F), a gentle filter that won't batter a spotfin corydoras in the current, and a tight-fitting lid. Cycle the tank fully before adding any fish.
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