Outcast Cory

Corydoras pinheiroi is a seldom-encountered species from the Brazilian Amazon, specifically the Rondônia and Madeira basin tributaries in western Brazil. It is a medium-sized cory with a delicate pattern of fine brown reticulation over a pale cream to white body, giving it a clean, marbled appearance. Both fins and body carry subtle patterning that becomes more visible under good lighting.

In its natural habitat it inhabits slow-moving forest streams and flooded areas with fine sandy substrates and leaf litter. The water is soft, slightly acidic, and often tannin-stained. In the aquarium it adapts reasonably well to standard soft-water tropical conditions, though it responds best to a naturalistic setup with Indian almond leaves and driftwood.

C. pinheiroi is an intermediate-level species that rewards careful attention to water quality and diet variety. Keep in a group of six or more, feed high-quality sinking foods with regular frozen or live supplementation, and maintain low nitrate levels for the best long-term health and colouration.