Weitzmani Cory

Corydoras weitzmani is a stunning cory from the Madre de Dios basin in southeastern Peru, instantly recognised by two distinct, crisply defined black saddles — one behind the head over the dorsal region and another over the caudal peduncle. The background colour is cream to white, and a warm golden or brassy flush covers the upper body between the saddles. It is one of the most desirable species in the genus.

Originating from the Madre de Dios, a river draining the cloud forest flanks of the Peruvian Andes, C. weitzmani inhabits cool, clear, well-oxygenated water with fine sandy and gravelly substrates. It is slightly cooler-tolerant than typical Amazonian cories and prefers temperatures in the lower part of the tropical range.

Despite being a prized species, care is not extreme — intermediate skill is sufficient. Provide clean, cool-ish soft water, a fine substrate, and a large enough group to produce confident schooling. Feed high-quality sinking foods and supplement with frozen invertebrates to maintain the golden dorsal sheen. Available periodically through specialist Peruvian importers.

Water: Soft to moderately hard, pH 5.8–7.0, temperature 22–26°C; cooler than typical Amazon cories; high oxygenation preferred. Tank: 100 L minimum with fine sand, driftwood, and moderate plant cover; good water flow and oxygenation essential. Feeding: High-quality sinking pellets, frozen Mysis, bloodworm, and Daphnia; twice-daily feeding. Breeding: Possible in captivity; cool, well-oxygenated water and live food conditioning important. Compatibility: Peaceful; ideal for Peruvian biotope setups with tetras and other cool-water Andean species.