Origin
Native to southeastern Brazil, particularly in the coastal drainages of Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo where clear, cool streams and riverbeds prevail.

Visual & Functional Appeal
Large-bodied with bold dark banding across a bronze-to-silver body. Adult males develop filamentous "beard-like" bristles. Their size and pattern make them stand out in larger community or subtropical tanks.

Purpose
Active bottom-dweller that stirs the substrate and scavenges excess food. Social and peaceful, it helps aerate sand and reduce buildup of organic waste.

Importance
Unique among corydoras for its cool water tolerance and visual impact. Often chosen for temperate tanks or South American biotopes. Encourages natural schooling behaviors.

Included Resources
Needs a fine sand substrate to prevent barbel damage. Prefers strong filtration and added aeration. Plants, driftwood, and open swimming zones help replicate its natural stream habitat.

Best Use Cases
Ideal for large planted tanks, subtropical South American setups, or peaceful community aquariums. Pairs well with hillstream loaches, rainbowfish, and other cool-tolerant species.

Conservation Context
Native habitats face urban pollution and degradation. Hobbyist breeding reduces wild collection. Emphasis on captive propagation can help protect wild stocks in Brazil.

Ideal Aquatic Animals
• Hillstream loaches
• White Cloud Mountain minnows
• Smaller rainbowfish
• Peaceful barbs
• Amano or ghost shrimp

Region (A)
• Latitude: -22.9068° S
• Longitude: -43.1729° W
(Rio de Janeiro, Brazil — Atlantic coastal drainages)

Region (B)
• Latitude: -23.5505° S
• Longitude: -46.6333° W
(São Paulo region — cool mountain streams)