HomeFreshwater aquarium fishCatfish & plecosElegant corydoras Elegant corydoras (Corydoras elegans) Scientific name: Corydoras elegans Steindachner, 1876 The Elegant corydoras (Corydoras elegans) is a freshwater fish of the family Callichthyidae that grows to about 5 cm (2 in). It is easy to keep and peaceful, suits community aquariums and needs water at 22–26°C (72–79°F) and a pH of 6.0–8.0. Native range: South America, Upper Amazon River basin. Elegant corydoras care at a glanceCare levelEasyTemperamentPeacefulCommunity tankGoodAdult size5 cm (2 in)Temperature22–26°C (72–79°F)pH6.0–8.0Hardness2–25 dGH (36–446 ppm)DietOmnivore. Accepts flakes. Species factsScientific nameCorydoras elegansFamilyCallichthyidae (Callichthyid armored catfishes)OrderSiluriformes (Catfish)ClassActinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)Maximum length5.1EnvironmentFreshwater;; pH range: 6.0 - 8.0; dH range: 2 - 25 demersalClimateTropicalDistributionSouth America: Upper Amazon River basin.Conservation status (IUCN)Not EvaluatedThreat to humansHarmlessUsesFisheries: of no interest; aquarium: commercialResilienceHigh, minimum population doubling time less than 15 months (Preliminary K or Fecundity.) More catfish & plecosBarredtail corydorasCorydoras cochuiTailspot corydorasCorydoras caudimaculatusSpotback corydorasCorydoras blochiBanded corydorasScleromystax barbatusPink corydorasCorydoras axelrodiGuapore corydorasCorydoras guaporeSee all catfish & plecos SourcesTaxonomy, distribution and biology data: FishBase (Froese, R. and D. Pauly, eds.), licensed CC BY-NC 4.0. Aquarium care parameters compiled, checked and converted to metric and imperial units by Guppies.za.net.Last updated 28 September 2026