Corydoras ellisae - (No Online Purchases)

Here’s a clear, shop-ready care guide for Corydoras ellisae (often sold as “False Network Cory” or similar), written with Australian spelling and tailored for home aquarists.

Overview

• Common name: Corydoras ellisae
• Family: Callichthyidae
• Origin: South America (Amazon basin, particularly Peru)
• Size: ~5–6 cm
• Lifespan: 5–10 years with proper care
• Temperament: Peaceful, schooling bottom-dweller

This species is a hardy, attractive Corydoras with a reticulated or “network-like” pattern, making it popular for community aquariums.

Tank Requirements

• Minimum tank size: 60 litres (larger preferred for groups)
• Substrate: Fine sand is strongly recommended
  • Prevents damage to their sensitive barbels
• Decor: Driftwood, plants, and shaded areas
• Filtration: Moderate, with gentle flow
• Lid: Recommended (they may dart to the surface)

Water Parameters

• Temperature: 22–26°C
• pH: 6.0–7.5
• Hardness: Soft to moderately hard
• Water quality: Very important
  • Sensitive to ammonia and nitrite
  • Regular water changes (20–30% weekly)

Behaviour & Compatibility

• Schooling fish: Keep in groups of at least 5–6 (more is better)
• Tank mates:
  • Small, peaceful fish (e.g. tetras, rasboras, dwarf gourami)
  • Avoid aggressive or large species
• Activity:
  • Most active during dusk and dawn
  • Frequently sift substrate for food

Feeding

• Diet: Omnivorous bottom feeder
• Recommended foods:
  • Sinking pellets or wafers
  • Frozen foods (bloodworms, brine shrimp)
  • Live foods occasionally
• Important:
  • Do not rely on “leftovers” from other fish
  • Ensure food reaches the bottom

Special Care Notes

• Barbel health:
  • Avoid sharp gravel and poor water conditions
• Air breathing:
  • Like other Corydoras, they occasionally gulp air from the surface
  • This is normal behaviour
• Acclimatisation:
  • Drip acclimation recommended due to sensitivity

Breeding (Optional Info for Customers)

• Difficulty: Moderate
• Spawning trigger: Cooler water changes, increased feeding
• Egg laying: On glass, plants, or decor
• Parental care: None (eggs should be separated to prevent predation)

Common Customer Mistakes

• Keeping too few (they become stressed alone)
• Using coarse gravel (damages barbels)
• Assuming they “clean the tank”
• Overlooking water quality
• Mixing with aggressive species

Recommendations

• groups, not single fish
• sand substrate 
• appropriate sinking foods
• not algae eaters
• peaceful nature and community suitability