Cat-eLog Right Callichthyidae Right Corydoradinae Right Corydoras (lineage 9)  |  | 

Down Cat-eLog Data Sheet
Scientific Name Corydoras (lineage 9) leucomelas  Eigenmann & Allen, 1942
Common Names Peruvian Freckled Cory
Panzerwels (Germany), Sortfinnet Pansermalle (Denmark)
Type Locality Yarina cocha, cutoff lake at right bank of Río Pacaya, near Sarayacu, about 5°15'S, 74°15'W, Upper Amazon, Peru.
Synonym(s) Corydoras leucomelas
Pronunciation kor ee doh rass (lineage nine). - look oh MELL uss
Etymology . The specific epithet, leucomelas means ''with white and black''.
Down Species Information
Size 45mm or 1.8" SL. Find near, nearer or same sized spp.
Identification A very easy fish to misidentify as it is often captured alongside the similar species C. agassizii and C. ambiacus and C. gomezi. C. gomezi has a distinct black spot on the dorsal, C. ambiacus grows larger and lacks the distinct ''mask'' marking through the eye and C. agassizii also lacks the ''mask'' and has much less black on the dorsal. Expect to find these four spp. mixed in many Amazonian Corydoras shipments.
General Remarks C. leucomelas is common throughout the main river channel and several smaller tributaries in the Ecuadorian, Peruvian, and Colombian Amazon. It can also be found as far downriver as Tabatinga, Brazil. Most commercial collection takes place in Peru and at Leticia, Colombia where it is known amongst collectors as ''Maldito'' (the little damned Cory) because it is so common that it brings a very low price. As of 2003, collectors in Leticia, Colombia received U.S $7.00 for every 1,000 C. leucomelas they sold to Bogota exporters. It is still collected, however, as many thousand can be captured in a few hours since it is always found in very large schools.
Down Habitat Information
Distribution South America: Upper Amazon River basin.
Amazon, Upper Amazon (click on these areas to find other species found there)
Amazon, Upper Amazon, Yavari (click on these areas to find other species found there)

Log in to view data on a map.
IUCN Red List Category Least Concern, range map and more is available on the IUCN species page. Last assessed 2020.
pH 5.6 - 7.0
Temperature 25.0-26.5°C or 77-79.7°F (Show species within this range)
Down Husbandry Information
Feeding Omnivore. Happily takes dry, frozen, and live foods. User data.
Furniture In nature, found over mud substrates in blackwaters. In the aquarium they prefer a sand substrate and enjoy hiding among plants, rocks, and driftwood.
Compatibility Compatible with tankmates of any size. This species is always found in large schools and a minimum of four individuals is recommended. In the Rio Yavari, Peru they were captured alongside Rineloricaria, Loricaria, and spotted raphaels.
Breeding Unreported.
Breeding Reports There is no breeding report.
Down Further Information
Reference Fishes of western South America, pp 178, Pl. 12 (fig. 4).
Registered Keepers There are 80 registered keepers, view all "my cats" data.
Wishlists Love this species? Click the heart to add it to your wish list.
There are 4 wishes to keep this species, see who wants what.
Spotters Spotted this species somewhere? Click the binoculars!
There are 27 records of this fish being seen, view them all.
Forum BBCode
Search for C. leucomelas
Look up AquaticRepublic.com Look up C. leucomelas on AquaticRepublic.com
Look up on Fishbase Look up C. leucomelas on Fishbase
Look up on Encyclopedia of Life Look up Corydoras (lineage 9) leucomelas on Encyclopedia of Life
Look up on Global Biodiversity Information Facility Look up C. leucomelas on Global Biodiversity Information Facility
Corydoras(ln9) leucomelas QR code LFS label creator
Last Update 2021 May 04 13:10 (species record created: 2001 Apr 30 00:00)