{"product_id":"orange-laser-corydoras","title":"Orange Laser Corydoras (Corydoras sp. CW010) | Live Freshwater Community Fish","description":"\u003cp\u003eOne of the most spectacular Corydoras in the hobby, the \u003cstrong\u003eOrange Laser Cory\u003c\/strong\u003e (\u003cem\u003eCorydoras sp. CW010\u003c\/em\u003e) is a wild-type bristletooth-style cory from the Peruvian Amazon known for the bold electric-orange lateral stripe that runs from snout to tail across a metallic-bronze body. They’re busy, peaceful schoolers that hoover the bottom of your tank for uneaten food while showing off colors that pop in any planted aquarium — a true centerpiece bottom dweller.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"background: #fff8e1; border-left: 4px solid #f59e0b; padding: 12px 16px; margin: 14px 0; border-radius: 4px;\"\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin: 0; font-size: 1.02em;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAvailable in two sizes.\u003c\/strong\u003e Choose \u003cstrong\u003eMedium\u003c\/strong\u003e (typical young adult, ~1.5–2″) or \u003cstrong\u003eLarge\u003c\/strong\u003e (fully colored adult, ~2–2.5″) above. Either way, plan for a \u003cstrong\u003eschool of 4 to 6 or more\u003c\/strong\u003e — corys are obligate shoalers and stress in smaller groups.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBrowse all our \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/collections\/fish\"\u003efreshwater fish\u003c\/a\u003e or shop the rest of our \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/collections\/fresh-water\"\u003efreshwater section\u003c\/a\u003e for tank mates, food, and supplies.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin: 14px 0 4px; font-size: 1.05em; font-weight: 600; line-height: 1.25;\"\u003eCare Guide\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTank size:\u003c\/strong\u003e 20 gallons minimum for a school of 4 to 6. Long footprints beat tall, narrow tanks — corys live on the bottom.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWater:\u003c\/strong\u003e 72–78°F, pH 6.5–7.5, soft to moderately hard. Stable parameters matter more than chasing exact numbers.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSubstrate:\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eSmooth sand or rounded fine gravel only.\u003c\/strong\u003e Sharp or coarse substrate damages their delicate barbels (sensory whiskers) and can lead to infection. \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/caribsea-super-naturals-maui-moon-20lb-black-freshwater-aquarium-sand\"\u003eCaribSea Super Naturals sand\u003c\/a\u003e works beautifully and makes their orange stripe really pop.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFiltration \u0026amp; flow:\u003c\/strong\u003e Gentle to moderate. Corys appreciate well-oxygenated water but don’t enjoy a current-blasted tank.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAquascape:\u003c\/strong\u003e Open sand floor for foraging plus driftwood, broad-leaf plants (anubias, java fern), and a few caves or hides for daytime resting.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDiet:\u003c\/strong\u003e Omnivore. Feed sinking foods at lights-out so they reach the bottom — \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/seachem-nutridiet-herbivore-tabs-85g-probiotic-sinking-fish-food\"\u003eSeachem NutriDiet sinking tabs\u003c\/a\u003e, frozen bloodworms, daphnia, brine shrimp, and quality flake that drifts down. They’ll also clean up spillage from mid-water feeders.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMaintenance:\u003c\/strong\u003e 25–30% weekly water changes with \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/seachem-prime-complete-concentrated-water-conditioner\"\u003eSeachem Prime\u003c\/a\u003e. Keep nitrates low — corys are sensitive to dirty water.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNo salt:\u003c\/strong\u003e Corydoras are scaleless on parts of their body and intolerant of aquarium salt. Do not add salt as a remedy.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLid required:\u003c\/strong\u003e Corys occasionally dart to the surface for a gulp of air. A snug lid prevents jumps.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin: 14px 0 4px; font-size: 1.05em; font-weight: 600; line-height: 1.25;\"\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ctable style=\"border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%; max-width: 560px;\"\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; padding: 6px 10px; font-weight: 600;\"\u003eCommon Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; padding: 6px 10px;\"\u003eOrange Laser Cory \/ Orange Laser Corydoras\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; padding: 6px 10px; font-weight: 600;\"\u003eScientific Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; padding: 6px 10px;\"\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eCorydoras\u003c\/em\u003e sp. CW010\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; padding: 6px 10px; font-weight: 600;\"\u003eFamily\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; padding: 6px 10px;\"\u003eCallichthyidae (armored catfish)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; padding: 6px 10px; font-weight: 600;\"\u003eOrigin\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; padding: 6px 10px;\"\u003ePeruvian Amazon, South America\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; padding: 6px 10px; font-weight: 600;\"\u003eCare Level\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; padding: 6px 10px;\"\u003eBeginner\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; padding: 6px 10px; font-weight: 600;\"\u003eDiet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; padding: 6px 10px;\"\u003eOmnivore — sinking foods preferred\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; padding: 6px 10px; font-weight: 600;\"\u003eLifespan\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; padding: 6px 10px;\"\u003e8–10+ years\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; padding: 6px 10px; font-weight: 600;\"\u003eMax Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; padding: 6px 10px;\"\u003e~2.5 inches\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; padding: 6px 10px; font-weight: 600;\"\u003eWater Type\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; padding: 6px 10px;\"\u003eFreshwater, tropical\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin: 14px 0 4px; font-size: 1.05em; font-weight: 600; line-height: 1.25;\"\u003eCompatibility\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOrange Laser Corys are textbook peaceful community fish — they ignore everything that isn’t food on the substrate.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eGreat tank mates:\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/neon-tetra-small-5-qty\"\u003eneon tetras\u003c\/a\u003e, ember tetras, harlequin rasboras, \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/zebra-danio-danio-rerio-freshwater\"\u003ezebra danios\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/black-skirt-tetra-gymnocorymbus-ternetzi-freshwater\"\u003eblack skirt tetras\u003c\/a\u003e, dwarf gouramis, peaceful livebearers, otocinclus, kuhli loaches.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eOther corys:\u003c\/strong\u003e mix happily with our \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/panda-cory-corydoras-panda-freshwater\"\u003ePanda Corys\u003c\/a\u003e or \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/mixed-cory-catfish\"\u003eMixed Cory Catfish\u003c\/a\u003e — corys often shoal as a mixed group.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eInverts:\u003c\/strong\u003e safe with snails (nerite, ramshorn) and adult shrimp. Fry may be eaten.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAvoid:\u003c\/strong\u003e aggressive cichlids, fin-nippers (tiger barbs, serpae tetras), large predatory fish, anything that will outcompete them at meals.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin: 14px 0 4px; font-size: 1.05em; font-weight: 600; line-height: 1.25;\"\u003eRecommended Foods \u0026amp; Supplies\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/seachem-nutridiet-herbivore-tabs-85g-probiotic-sinking-fish-food\"\u003eSeachem NutriDiet Sinking Tabs\u003c\/a\u003e — bottom-feeder staple\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/caribsea-super-naturals-maui-moon-20lb-black-freshwater-aquarium-sand\"\u003eCaribSea Super Naturals Sand\u003c\/a\u003e — barbel-friendly substrate\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/seachem-prime-complete-concentrated-water-conditioner\"\u003eSeachem Prime\u003c\/a\u003e — water conditioner for every change\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/hikari-dark-rock-cave-aquarium-hide-bettas-shrimp-plecos\"\u003eHikari Dark Rock Cave\u003c\/a\u003e — resting hide\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/collections\/nutrition\"\u003eBrowse all fish food\u003c\/a\u003e · \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/collections\/maintenance-water-care\"\u003ewater care \u0026amp; treatments\u003c\/a\u003e · \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/collections\/freshwater-aquarium-plants\"\u003elive plants\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin: 14px 0 4px; font-size: 1.05em; font-weight: 600; line-height: 1.25;\"\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat size should I buy?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eBoth sizes ship the same care, just different stages of life. Medium fish color up over a few months in your tank; Large fish are already showing their full adult orange stripe. Mixing sizes in one school is fine.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow many do I need?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eFour to six is the minimum. Corys are obligate schoolers — in groups smaller than that they get stressed, hide constantly, and stop foraging. Eight to ten is the sweet spot.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs this the same fish as the Green Laser Cory?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eClosely related — both are CW010 forms or close cousins of \u003cem\u003eCorydoras aeneus\u003c\/em\u003e. The Orange Laser shows a vivid orange lateral stripe; the Green Laser shows an iridescent green stripe. Different color forms, same care.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDo I really need sand?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eStrongly recommended. Corys forage by sifting substrate through their gills, and sharp gravel files down their barbels over time, leading to infection and reduced sense of smell. Smooth fine sand or polished pea-size gravel is fine.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDo you quarantine your Corydoras?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eYes — every Corydoras is observed and quarantined for health before being made available for sale.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLocal pickup only?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eYes. Squeaky’s Aquatics livestock is sold for in-store pickup at our Lawrenceville, Georgia showroom only.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Squeaky's Aquatics","offers":[{"title":"Medium","offer_id":48760338776283,"sku":"FW1-F6730","price":25.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Large","offer_id":48760338809051,"sku":"FW1-F6731","price":29.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0767\/5209\/3403\/files\/images_eff63874-befd-44ac-9ce3-f941b24e2f8f.jpg?v=1772838716","url":"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/orange-laser-corydoras","provider":"Squeaky's Aquatics","version":"1.0","type":"link"}