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Sailfin corydoras

Scleromystax macropterus

Fishes › Catfish (Siluriformes) › Callichthyidae (Corydoras and armored catfish)

The sailfin corydoras (Scleromystax macropterus), bigfin corydoras, or largefin corydoras is a subtropical freshwater fish belonging to the Corydoradinae sub-family of the family Callichthyidae.

Aquarium hobby

Experience: Beginner

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FamilyCorydoras and armored catfish

Adult lengthup to 3.5 in

WaterFreshwater

HabitatLives in freshwater. Stays near the bottom

Care at a glance

Species-specific aquarium care

Tank: At least 24 in long and 12 in front to back for one adult (adults commonly reach about 3.4 in / 8.7 cm).
Water: Freshwater.
Temperature: 64–70°F (range recorded for this species).
pH: 6–8.
Hardness: 2–25 dGH.
Layout: Lives on or near the bottom: floor space and hiding places matter more than height.

Calculated from this species' own FishBase record: tank size from its typical adult length and swimming zone, water values from its recorded ranges. The group guide below fills in general care.

Care guide

Species care notes

Tank: a base of at least 47 × 18 in (roughly 64 US gallons); space needed is rated “large tank”.
Water: soft, acidic water, 57–68 °F, pH 5–7, 1–8 dGH.
Behaviour: temperament territorial; a shoaling fish best kept in a group of six or more; suited to a community tank.
Difficulty: Moderate (Seriously Fish rating).

Short excerpts from the species profile:

Setup: “Ideally use a substrate of fine sand, although rounded gravel is an acceptable alternative provided it’s kept scrupulously clean.”
Tankmates: “Males are somewhat territorial towards one another and should not be maintained together in smaller aquaria, otherwise peaceful.”
Breeding: “Can be bred in a similar fashion to many Corydoras species.”

From the Seriously Fish profile for this species, which has the full habitat, maintenance, diet, behaviour and breeding write-up 167

Group care guide

Corydoras and armored catfish

Applies to most species in this group. Habitat: Shallow South American streams. Individual species can differ, so compare with the species numbers above and the linked sources.

Housing & setup

Soft sand substrate, groups of six or more, and clean water.

Sources 117 119 164 118

Diet

Sinking pellets, wafers and frozen bloodworms.

Sources 117 119 164 118

Social life

Keep in groups.

Sources 117 119 164 118

Health watch

Barbel erosion on dirty or rough substrate.

Sources 117 119 164 118

Understanding the animal

About this animal

It originates in coastal rivers in South America, and is found from São Paulo to Santa Catarina, Brazil and some upper Paraná River tributaries. It was originally described, under the name Corydoras macropterus, by Charles Tate Regan in 1913.

Quoted from the Wikipedia article “Sailfin corydoras” (CC BY-SA 4.0) 174

In the wild

From this species’ own FishBase record (habitat, bottom type, water and breeding data), not its family. Good care copies these conditions.¹

Where it lives	Lives in freshwater. Stays near the bottom.
Water it lives in	Freshwater, 64–70 °F (18–21 °C), pH 6–8, hardness 2–25 dH.
Climate	Subtropical climate.

What this means for care

Keep water within its wild range, 64–70 °F.

FishBase species summary: Scleromystax macropterus

Native climate (measured)

Warm-season highs	about 82°F (up to 86°F in the hottest sampled areas)
Cool-season lows	about 53°F (down to 46°F in the coldest sampled areas)
Average temperature	63–72°F across sampled records
Relative humidity	79–82% on average (driest month about 77%)
Rainfall	about 1754 mm a year

Measured at 26 wild occurrence records sampled against WorldClim 2.1 climate data (1970–2000 averages). Air conditions in the range are ecological context, not enclosure settings: microhabitats such as burrows, leaf litter or basking rocks can be cooler, warmer or more humid.

From the sources

Quoted from the matching sections of reputable sources for this exact species. Specialist databases are used first; Wikipedia (community-edited, CC BY-SA 4.0) only fills gaps. Other sources are short credited quotes.

Overview

The sailfin corydoras (Scleromystax macropterus), bigfin corydoras, or largefin corydoras is a subtropical freshwater fish belonging to the Corydoradinae sub-family of the family Callichthyidae. It originates in coastal rivers in South America, and is found from São Paulo to Santa Catarina, Brazil and some upper Paraná River tributaries. It was originally described, under the name Corydoras macropterus, by Charles Tate Regan in 1913. The fish will grow in length up to 3.4 inches (8.7 centimeters). — Wikipedia (community-edited)

Where it lives

Home ranges Population dynamics Growth parameters Max. ages / sizes Length-weight rel. Length-frequencies Mass conversion Recruitment Abundance Life cycle Reproduction Maturity Maturity/Gills rel. — FishBase

Data and studies

The numbers

Each bar is what one source reports. Where several sources weigh in, the dashed gold band marks their average.

Adult length

Average of sources3.5in

FishBase 1643.4

Seriously Fish species profiles 1673.5

Maximum recorded length. Measured as standard length (snout to the base of the tail, not counting the tail fin). Fish in home aquariums often stay smaller than wild records.

Water temperature

Average of sources60.5–69°F

FishBase 16464–70

Seriously Fish species profiles 16757–68

Range the species tolerates in nature; aim for the middle.

pH

Average of sources5.5–7.5

FishBase 1646–8

Seriously Fish species profiles 1675–7

Water hardness

Average of sources1.5–16.5dGH

FishBase 1642–25

Seriously Fish species profiles 1671–8

Minimum tank footprint

Reported47in

Seriously Fish species profiles 16747

Seriously Fish recommends a tank base of at least 47 × 18 in (about 64 US gallons).

Sources for this sheet

FishBase (Froese & Pauly, eds.), version 24.07 Peer-reviewed researchThe global scientific database on fishes, maintained by a consortium of research institutions; every value is referenced.
Seriously Fish species profiles Experienced keeper or breederLong-running aquarium reference written and peer-checked by experienced fishkeepers and ichthyologists; each profile covers habitat, tank size, water, diet, behaviour and breeding.
Merck Veterinary Manual: Management of aquarium fish Zoo, university or veterinaryThe Merck Veterinary Manual: a standard veterinary reference written and reviewed by veterinary specialists.
Merck Veterinary Manual: Types and features of aquatic systems Zoo, university or veterinaryThe Merck Veterinary Manual: a standard veterinary reference written and reviewed by veterinary specialists.
Merck Veterinary Manual: Nutritional diseases of fish Zoo, university or veterinaryThe Merck Veterinary Manual: a standard veterinary reference written and reviewed by veterinary specialists.
Wikipedia (species article) Community referenceFree encyclopedia; useful overviews with their own citations. Intro text is quoted under CC BY-SA 4.0.