CORYDORAS META 2.5cm

Meta Corydoras (Corydoras metae, also called Bandit Cory, Masked Cory, or Meta Cory) is a small South American armoured catfish. The “bandit” look comes from the dark mask through the eye plus a dark band from the dorsal fin down the flank that stops at the caudal peduncle. They are peaceful and easy once water quality is stable, and they do best in a proper school—not as a lone “cleanup crew.” They gulp air at the surface. That is normal. Use a lid so they cannot jump. Keep a same-species group. One or two fish hide, stop eating, and decline. A group of 6+ forages together and stays visible.

TANK SET UP: They are plant-safe and work well in planted tanks. Substrate is the most important choice. Use fine sand.

• Open sand for foraging

• Cover: driftwood, leaf litter (almond/catappa), caves, dense plants

• Moderate, oxygen-rich flow — not a blast from a powerhead

• Dimmer zones; they will still forage in brighter light

TANK MATE: Good tank mates are small, peaceful tetras, rasboras, danios, dwarf gouramis, ram/apistogramma-type dwarfs, otocinclus, bristlenose, cherry shrimp (adults are usually ignored).

IMPORTANT: Do not mix different Corydoras species if you care about keeping lines pure — they can hybridise.

FILTRATION: Because Corydoras metae naturally inhabit slow-to-moderate moving river systems, the recommended filter flow rate is 4 to 5 times the total aquarium volume per hour (turnover rate)

MAINTENANCE: Keep ammonia and nitrite at 0. Nitrates preferably under 20 ppm. Weekly 25–30% water changes (more if the tank is heavily stocked).

FEEDING: Feed sinking pellets/wafers made for bottom feeders as the staple. Add frozen or live bloodworms, brine shrimp, daphnia, or blackworms a few times a week. Occasional blanched zucchini or similar is fine.

Feed once or twice a day.