Vulcan Cory Care Guide - Tank Setup, Diet & Breeding

The Vulcan Cory, sold under the scientific name Corydoras sp. CW111, is a striking undescribed member of the Corydoradinae. Its compact body carries the familiar armour-like rows of bony plates, while dark markings and warm orange to copper tones create a dramatic appearance that makes this fish especially appealing to Corydoras enthusiasts.

Like other Corydoras, it is a peaceful bottom-dweller with a lively, personable character. Vulcan Corys regularly explore the substrate with their barbels, pause in amusing upright poses and occasionally dart to the surface to gulp air, a natural behaviour made possible by their specialised intestine.

In the aquarium they are most confident when living in a proper group. They interact closely with one another, resting together and foraging over the same areas, yet they are not aggressive toward other peaceful fish. Their activity is generally gentle and unobtrusive, making them a charming feature of a community aquarium.

The CW111 designation identifies a distinctive Corydoras form that has been traded before receiving a formal scientific description. Its Vulcan common name reflects its fiery colouring, and individual intensity can vary with age, mood, condition and locality.

Vulcan Corys are associated with the upper Rio Nanay basin around Loreto in north-eastern Peru, South America. They come from warm, soft, clear to lightly tea-stained tributaries and forest streams of the Amazon region.

A group of Vulcan Corys should have at least 60 litres, with a footprint of about 60 x 30 cm or larger; floor area is more important than height. Use smooth fine sand or rounded, soft gravel so their sensitive barbels remain safe, and provide open feeding areas alongside driftwood, rounded stones, leaf litter and sturdy plants for cover. Good filtration, gentle water movement and well-oxygenated water suit their stream-dwelling nature, while sharp decor and coarse substrate should be avoided.

Vulcan Corys reach approximately 5.5 cm (2.2 in) in total length. Females are usually larger and broader-bodied than males, with females reaching around 5.5 cm (2.2 in) and males commonly growing to about 4.5–5 cm (1.8–2 in).

Vulcan Corys are omnivorous foragers that feed on small invertebrates, insect larvae, worms, crustaceans and plant or organic matter in nature. Offer a varied diet of sinking catfish pellets or wafers supplemented with frozen or live bloodworm, blackworm, daphnia, brine shrimp and similar foods. Food should reach the bottom, and meals should be varied rather than relying on leftover food from other fish.

Vulcan Corys are peaceful community fish and can be kept with small tetras, rasboras, pencilfish, peaceful danionins, honey gouramis, small livebearers and other calm South American species. They also mix well with other peaceful Corydoras when space and group sizes are adequate. Avoid large or predatory fish, fin-nippers, boisterous cichlids and aggressive bottom-dwellers that may outcompete, injure or intimidate them.

Vulcan Corys are egg-scattering catfish that can be encouraged to spawn with excellent water quality and a period of slightly cooler, well-oxygenated water. A group will often spawn after generous feeding, with females placing adhesive eggs on plant leaves, aquarium glass or other smooth surfaces. Remove the eggs or move the adults if raising fry is the goal, as the adults may eat them. The eggs usually hatch in around three to five days, and the tiny fry need appropriately sized foods such as microworms or finely powdered fry food before progressing to small live or frozen foods.

Females are generally larger, deeper-bodied and noticeably wider when viewed from above, especially when carrying eggs. Males are usually smaller and slimmer, with a more streamlined outline; the colour pattern is broadly similar in both sexes.