Flagtail Corydoras (Corydoras robineae)
Flagtail Corys are very peaceful and suitable for many community aquariums. However, Flagtail Corys prefer being in schools; therefore, it would be best to keep them in groups of at least six individuals as they will show their dynamic behaviour more and come to the front more often. On the other hand, if you keep these Corys in too small a group, they may become timid and skittish, and the stress can considerably shorten their life expectancy.
Good tankmates for these Corydoras could include Tetras, Rasboras, Livebearers, smaller Cyprinids, Dwarf Gouramis, Dwarf Cichlids and other peaceful Catfish. However, you should avoid keeping them with anything very large or aggressive.
Like all Corydoras, Flagtail Corys are bottom dwellers that dig around in the substrate with their barbels looking for food. Therefore it would be better if you used sand as a substrate to avoid damaging their barbels. In addition, you will need to provide your Corys with plenty of hiding places; these can be in the form of bogwood, driftwood and smooth rocks.
These Corys will also appreciate areas of dense planting alongside some floating plants. Finally, you should also provide some surface turbulence and flow, as they prefer well-oxygenated water.
Flagtail Corys are sensitive to poor water quality and a dirty substrate; therefore, you must make sure that the quality of the water is kept pristine; otherwise, they may lose their barbels.
Flagtail Corydoras have a black and white horizontally striped "flag tail". These fish also have spots on their flanks that merge into five or six greyish-brown horizontal stripes that extend across the caudal fin. Due to the lack of the greyish brown ground colour on the caudal fin, the stripes become more black and white. Their dorsal fin shows some faint black lines but is otherwise transparent, and all their other fins are translucent.
Photos
| Quick Facts | |
|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Corydoras robineae |
| Other Names | Bannertail Corydoras, Flag-Tailed Corydoras, Mrs Schwartz's Cory |
| Classification | Actinopterygii |
| Order | Siluriformes |
| Family | Callichthyidae |
| Genus | Corydoras |
| Origins | Brazil |
| Temperament | Peaceful |
| Aquarium Level | Bottom |
| Difficulty | Beginner - Intermediate |
| Shoaling | Yes |
| Best kept as | Groups 6+ |
| Diet | Omnivore |
| Reproduction | Egg-Layer |
| Lifespan | up to 15 years |
| Water Parameters | |
|---|---|
| Water Type | Freshwater |
| PH | 6.5 - 7.5 |
| GH | 5 - 12 |
| Temperature | |
|---|---|
| 70 - 79℉ 21.1 - 26.1℃ | |
Natural Habitat
Feeding
In the home aquarium, the Flagtail Corydoras will readily accept most good quality dried foods such as granules, flakes and sinking pellets. These modern food products have been developed to provide all adequate nutrition to maintain your fish's health and dietary requirements.
Providing additional foodstuffs such as live, frozen, and freeze-dried meals such as bloodworm, daphnia, and tubifex once or twice a week will provide additional benefits to your fish's health and well-being but is not a must for this fish.
It should be noted that bloodworms should only be given as an occasional treat and should not be used as the staple diet as they are difficult for fish to digest and can potentially cause blockages.
This fish is an omnivore in the wild, meaning it will consume some vegetable matter. Although most modern fish foods take this into account and include them in their products, you can still supplement your fish's diet with blanched vegetables such as spinach, broccoli, and zucchini. Ensure you do not overfeed your fish and remove any leftovers the following day.
Sexual Dimorphism
It is somewhat straightforward to distinguish the males from the female Flagtail Corys. Mature females are slightly larger, rounder, and broader-bodied than males, specifically when carrying eggs. In contrast, males are more intensely coloured, slim, and petite than females.