Simulatus Cory

Corydoras simulatus is a Colombian endemic from the Magdalena River basin — a river system entirely separate from the Amazon, draining westward through the Andean foothills to the Caribbean. This geographic isolation has produced a species with similar body form and pattern to some Amazon cories but with subtle distinguishing features, including the arrangement of body spots and the structure of the head.

The Magdalena basin has slightly harder and more alkaline water than Amazonian systems due to Andean geological influence, and C. simulatus is accordingly tolerant of moderately hard, neutral to slightly alkaline water — a quality that makes it somewhat unusual among Corydoras and potentially useful for aquarists with harder tap water who wish to keep cories without extensive water treatment.

C. simulatus is peaceful, sociable, and undemanding in standard community aquaria. It is rarely exported but occasionally available through Colombian specialist suppliers. Keep in groups of six or more, provide a fine substrate, and feed a varied sinking diet.

Water: Moderately soft to hard, pH 6.5–7.5, temperature 22–26°C; tolerates harder water than most Amazon cories. Tank: 80 L with fine sand or smooth gravel, moderate planting, and good filtration. Feeding: Sinking pellets, frozen bloodworm, Tubifex, and Daphnia; twice daily feeding. Breeding: Not well documented; cool water change and protein-rich diet likely to stimulate. Compatibility: Peaceful with all community species; particularly suited to harder-water community setups.