Adolfo's catfish (Corydoras adolfoi) originate in the tropical freshwater streams of Rio Negro, in Brazil, South America.
This species is commonly known as Adolfo's cory fish. The fishes are 2.2 in (5.7 cm) in length have a natural environment of slow-flowing blackwater streams and water-flooded forest areas where they feed on wild insects and water plants and are omnivores.
The catfishes have black and white-colored bodies, their lower body is light-colored, with an orange patch above their eyes and a dark black stripe from their face to the bottom at the base of the caudal fin, covering their upperparts.
The fishes are also kept in medium-sized but spacious water tanks, as they are active in swimming, require proper conditions for spawning, variety in food and frozen foods available at the bottom of the tank, and substrate covered with plants. The fish have a peaceful behavior.
Their conservation status is Least Concern as they are available in a large population.
Also, learn amazing fish facts by reading about spotted sunfish and African lungfish.
Adolfo's Catfish Interesting Facts
What type of animal is an Adolfo's catfish?
An Adolfo's catfish is a small-sized tropical freshwater fish, from the family Callichthyidae. The species have a scientific name, Corydoras adolfoi. Adolfo's catfish is also known as Adolfo's cory catfish.
What class of animal does an Adolfo's catfish belong to?
An Adolfo's catfish (Corydoras adolfoi) belongs to the class of Actinopterygii and genus Corydoras.
How many Adolfo's catfish are there in the world?
There is a large community of Corydoras catfish in the world. In recent times, they are kept in groups as aquarium fish because of their peaceful nature as well as dwelling in large groups found in natural blackwaters with suitable habitats.
An analysis from a wild area shows that a temperature of 78° F (26° C) is ideal for the spawning of this species.
Where does an Adolfo's catfish live?
Adolfo's catfish originates in the inland waters of the Trinidad, Rio Negro basin in Brazil, South America. They are also found in Rio Uaupés in Columbia.
What is an Adolfo's Catfish's habitat?
Adolfo's catfish (Corydoras adolfoi) have a natural habitat of slow-flowing blackwater streams and water flooded forest areas, where the water is rich with tanning substances and thus has a distinct dark tea-like color.
Who do Adolfo's catfish live with?
The tank mates of Adolfo's cory fishes are mostly their congeners and also Characins, Cyprinids, dwarf cichlids, Anabantoids, and other catfish species.
How long does an Adolfo's catfish live?
Adolfo's catfish (Corydoras adolfoi) can live for three to five years. The fishes have a short lifespan in aquarium tanks as well as in natural habitats.
How do they reproduce?
Adolfo's catfish can easily breed with the correct water conditions in an aquarium. The ideal breeding age of the catfishes is three to four years.
The water tank should be well oxygenated with an adequate amount of water plants and vegetation, spacious enough for swimming, the hardness of water must be soft and should have two males per female fish. The female will lay 10-60 eggs per spawn within two to three hours.
The female fish lays the eggs between her pelvic fins for the male fish to fertilize them before depositing them on the plant bodies or the glass surface.
The incubation period is for three to five days depending on the temperature inside the tank. Once the eggs are hatched or after the fishes breed, removing the adults from the tank is advisable, as they have a tendency to diet on the fry.
What is their conservation status?
The conservation status of Adolfo's catfish (Corydoras adolfoi) is classified as of Least Concern. The fish have a threat from human activities, large reptiles, and predatory birds. The catfish can be conserved in a medium-sized aquarium tank.
Adolfo's Catfish Fun Facts
What do Adolfo's catfish look like?
Adolfo's catfish (Corydoras adolfoi) are small-sized colorful fishes. The fish have a pale white-colored lower body and jet-black colored upper half.
There is an orange-yellow spot located between its dorsal fin and eyes. A solid black stripe runs across their eyes and goes along the fish's head to the bottom of the tail.
The males and females have similar colors but the females have more rounded bodies, are more bordered and slightly larger in size, and also have rounded dorsal and pelvic fins.
How cute are they?
The Adolfo's cory fish species are not so colorful, but they have a striking black stripe on their upper body and face and also sharp spines but their small size adds some cuteness to these fishes.
How do they communicate?
This species of catfish have a peaceful nature, but they make various kinds of sounds to communicate with their tank mates underwater. The fishes make drumming-like sounds to alert the other fishes. The catfishes have the power to search their food using their skin and scales helping them smell food from a long distance in the water.
How big is an Adolfo's catfish?
The Adolfo's catfish can grow up to 2.2 in (5.7 cm) in length. This species of catfish is small-sized, whereas there are other species that can grow 100 in (254 cm). They are twelve times smaller than channel catfish and twice small as cory catfish.
How fast can an Adolfo's catfish swim?
The speed of Adolfo's cory fish is not yet recorded by scientists, but the fish can swim actively and move in small groups.
How much does an Adolfo's catfish weigh?
A mature Adolfo's catfish (Corydoras adolfoi), on average, can weigh 0.3 oz (11 g).
What are the male and female names of the species?
There is no specific name given to the male and female of this fish species.
What would you call a baby Adolfo's catfish?
When the baby hatches from Adolfo's catfish egg, it is called a fry.
What do they eat?
The catfish species diet on underwater worms, insects like mayflies, water beetles, and plant vegetation. In aquarium conditions, it is necessary that the fishes are provided with enough food. Their basic diet in-tank comprises frozen foods and even bloodworms.
Regular addition of vegetables like and cucumber, boiled spinach, and peas gives a variation in their diet. the fishes have a tendency to feed the foods lying at the bottom of the tanks. The fishes search and eat together in small groups.
Are they poisonous?
Yes, they are poisonous as Corydoras generally have poisonous spines and body armor which helps them to defend themselves from predators. If stressed, they release harmful toxins that can kill other fishes. They also tend to produce a lot of waste.
Would they make a good pet?
Yes, Adolfo's catfish can make good pets in an aquarium. The temperature conditions must be around 78 °F (26 °C), the hardness of water must be soft, good air supply inside the tank, and the substrate should have frozen food available at the bottom of the tank and sufficient plant vegetation.
Did you know...
The Adolfo's catfish for sale is available at $10-$20.
The substrate of the water tank containing the catfishes should consist of soft sand in order to protect the delicate barbel area, and have plenty of dark hiding spots among the plants. The fishes swim up to the water surface to get some air.
How did Adolfo's catfish get their name?
Adolfo's catfish community was named after legendary fish collector Adolfo Schwartz. He was the one who made this species available to the aquarists.
Are Adolfo's catfish good cleaners?
Yes, Adolfo's catfishes are good cleaners, as they eat the foods available at the bottom of the water tank, hence in a way cleaning the tank bottom. They are efficient cleaners like cory catfish.
Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly animal facts for everyone to discover! Learn more about some other fish from our channel catfish facts or black ghost knifefish facts pages.
You can even occupy yourself at home by coloring in one of our free printable Adolfo's catfish coloring pages.
Main image by Nicklas Iversen.
Second image by Nicklas Iversen.