Skunk Cory – C020

Skunk Cory C020 (Corydoras Arcuatus)

The Skunk Cory, also known as the Skunk Cory Cat or Arched Cory, is a peaceful, bottom-dwelling freshwater fish that is native to the upper Amazon River basin in Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru. This species is known for its distinctive black and white coloration, with a bold black stripe that runs along both sides of the dorsal ridge from the mouth to the tail, giving it its "skunk" moniker. The main body and fins of the Skunk Cory are white to almost translucent, and the eyes are often black and fall within the striped portion of the body. In terms of size, Skunk Corys are relatively small, with adults reaching a maximum size of about 2 to 2.5 inches.

The Skunk Cory is a sociable species that is ideally suited to mature softwater aquaria. Keeping them in groups of 4-6 or more is recommended, as they are very peaceful and get along with many other communal fish. They are bottom dwellers and do not take up mid-tank swimming space, but they can be easily bullied, so it is important to provide them with plenty of hiding spots among plants or rocks at the bottom of the aquarium. Suitable tankmates include Plecostomus, Zebra Danio, White Cloud Mountain Minnow, and small schooling fish.

As for their diet, Skunk Corys are omnivores and will be busy cleaning up all the leftover bits from other fish higher up in the water column. However, this doesn't mean that they shouldn't get any special foods for themselves! A high-quality tropical sinking pellet should form the bulk of their diet, with occasional treats such as veggies or frozen bloodworms, brine shrimp, and daphnia. Feeding should occur at least once a day, and if the aquarium water temperature is above 72 to 74F (22 to 23 C), feeding can be increased to twice a day.

In terms of habitat, Skunk Corys prefer a substrate that is fairly smooth, such as sand or smaller gravel, which allows them to easily root around in the substrate while looking for food. They spend most of their day foraging, so providing them with plenty of room to explore is important. Live aquatic plants work well with Skunk Corys, as they will not dig up roots or voraciously eat plants. It is best to choose taller live plants so they do not interfere with the Skunk Cory's bottom activity.

Regarding their water parameters and aquarium size, the minimum recommended aquarium size is 20 gallons for a school of 6 Smudge Spot Cory. They prefer water parameters with a pH range of 5.0-7.5, a hardness of 2-12 dGH, and a temperature range of 72-82°F (22-28°C).