Gold Laser Cory Care Guide - Aquarium Setup, Diet & Breeding

The Gold Laser Cory is a striking, undescribed corydoras recognised by the bright golden-yellow stripe running along the back and upper flanks. This luminous marking contrasts with a pale silver to bronze body, dark markings around the eyes and a finely patterned tail and fins. Individual fish can vary in the intensity and tone of their gold colouring.

Like other Corydoras, Gold Laser Corys are peaceful, bottom-dwelling catfish with a habit of exploring the substrate in short bursts. They use their sensitive barbels to investigate the surroundings and frequently rise to the surface to gulp atmospheric air, an adaptation that helps them cope with oxygen-poor conditions in nature.

In the aquarium they are most engaging when kept in a social group, where they forage together, rest side by side and become noticeably bolder. They are not aggressive fish, although their lively searching can make them appear constantly busy during feeding and exploration.

Their natural habitat consists of shallow Amazonian waterways with soft bottoms, submerged leaf litter, roots and scattered vegetation. As a trade-designated species rather than a formally described one, CW010 remains of particular interest to catfish enthusiasts and may eventually receive a scientific name as its classification is studied further.

Corydoras sp. 'CW010' is a naturally occurring, scientifically undescribed corydoras from Peru in South America. It is associated with the upper Amazonian drainage, with the trade form commonly linked to the Rio Nanay region.

A group should have at least a 75-litre aquarium, with a footprint of roughly 90 × 30 cm or larger so there is ample floor space for foraging. Use smooth, fine sand or rounded small-grain substrate to protect the delicate barbels, and provide driftwood, smooth stones, leaf litter and sturdy plants that create shaded resting places without covering the entire bottom. Gentle water movement, good oxygenation and open areas for feeding complete a suitable setup.

Males reach about 5 cm (2 in), while females can grow to approximately 6 cm (2.4 in).

Gold Laser Corys are omnivorous foragers that eat small aquatic invertebrates, insect larvae, worms, crustaceans and organic material from the substrate in nature. Offer a varied diet of sinking catfish pellets or wafers alongside frozen or live foods such as bloodworm, daphnia, brine shrimp and blackworm. Occasional soft vegetables can add variety, but they should not be expected to survive on leftover food or algae alone.

Gold Laser Corys are peaceful community fish and can live with similarly calm South American tetras, pencilfish, rasboras, peaceful barbs, small livebearers and gentle dwarf cichlids such as Apistogramma. Other peaceful Corydoras species can also make suitable companions, although a dedicated group of their own kind is still important. Avoid large or predatory fish, fin-nipping species, boisterous feeders and aggressive bottom-dwellers that may outcompete, injure or intimidate them.

Gold Laser Corys are egg-scattering catfish that can breed in a mature, well-conditioned aquarium. Condition a group with varied, protein-rich foods, then encourage spawning with a partial water change using slightly cooler water. The female carries a few adhesive eggs between her pelvic fins before placing them on aquarium glass, plant leaves or other smooth surfaces, while several males compete to fertilise them. Remove the adults or protect the eggs from predation; hatching usually occurs after several days, and the tiny fry can be raised on suitably fine foods before moving to larger fare.

Females are generally larger and broader-bodied, particularly when carrying eggs. Males are usually slimmer and slightly shorter, with a more streamlined profile when viewed from above.