{"product_id":"skunk-cory-corydoras-arcuatus-freshwater","title":"Skunk Cory (Corydoras arcuatus)","description":"\u003cdiv style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif;color:#1a1a1a;max-width:860px;line-height:1.7;\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"background:#E3F2FD;border-left:4px solid #1E88E5;padding:10px 14px;margin:0 0 14px;font-size:0.95em;\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eIn-store pickup only.\u003c\/strong\u003e Your order is reserved, we hold off on bagging until you arrive so it stays healthy in its display tank.\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe \u003cstrong\u003eSkunk Cory\u003c\/strong\u003e (\u003cem\u003eCorydoras arcuatus\u003c\/em\u003e) is one of the cleanest looking corydoras in the hobby. A single black stripe arcs from the snout, up over the eye, and follows the curve of the back all the way to the tail, drawn on a pale silvery body with no other markings to compete with it. The arch is where the scientific name comes from, and it is what separates this one from the dozens of spotted and blotched corys on the market. Peaceful, busy, endlessly entertaining, and one of the easiest bottom dwellers you can keep. Browse the rest of our \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/collections\/fresh-water\"\u003efreshwater livestock and supplies\u003c\/a\u003e to build the tank around it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #1E88E5;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eCare Guide\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSubstrate is the one that matters:\u003c\/strong\u003e use sand or very smooth rounded gravel. Corys feed by pushing their barbels through the substrate, and sharp gravel wears those barbels down until they erode and get infected. A cory with stubs for whiskers cannot find food properly. Sand like \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/estes-natural-aquatic-sand\"\u003eEstes Natural Aquatic Sand\u003c\/a\u003e or \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/caribsea-super-naturals-moonlight-sand\"\u003eCaribSea Super Naturals Moonlight\u003c\/a\u003e solves it permanently.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eKeep six or more.\u003c\/strong\u003e These are shoaling fish and a lone cory is a stressed cory. A group spends the day foraging together in a loose pack, which is the whole reason to own them. Six is the floor, and more is genuinely better.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTank size:\u003c\/strong\u003e 20 gallons for a group of six. Footprint matters more than height since they live on the bottom.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWater parameters:\u003c\/strong\u003e 72 to 79°F, pH 6.0 to 7.5, hardness 2 to 15 dGH. They come from soft Amazon water but adapt well to average tap water.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFeeding:\u003c\/strong\u003e omnivore, and they will not out-compete mid-water fish for flakes. Feed something that actually sinks, like \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/hikari-sinking-wafers\"\u003eHikari Sinking Wafers\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/repashy-bottom-scratcher\"\u003eRepashy Bottom Scratcher\u003c\/a\u003e, or \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/xtreme-wrigglers-krill-slow-sinking-sticks\"\u003eXtreme Wrigglers\u003c\/a\u003e, ideally after lights out. Corys are not a cleanup crew and should not be left to live on leftovers.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLifespan:\u003c\/strong\u003e 5 years and up with decent care, which is a long commitment for a small fish.\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;border-left:4px solid #1E88E5;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ctable style=\"border-collapse:collapse;width:100%;max-width:640px;\"\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eScientific name\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eCorydoras arcuatus\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCommon names\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eSkunk Cory, Arched Cory, Skunk Catfish\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFamily\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eCallichthyidae, the armored catfishes\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCare level\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eBeginner\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTemperament\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003ePeaceful, shoaling\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMinimum group\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e6, and they are noticeably happier in larger groups\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMax size\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eAbout 2 inches\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMinimum tank\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e20 gallons for a group\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTemperature\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e72 to 79°F\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003epH\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e6.0 to 7.5\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHardness\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e2 to 15 dGH\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSubstrate\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eSand or smooth rounded gravel, never sharp\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDiet\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eOmnivore, needs sinking food\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLifespan\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e5 years or more\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOrigin\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eUpper Amazon basin, Peru and Brazil\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePickup\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eIn-store pickup at Squeaky's Aquatics\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #1E88E5;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eCompatibility\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA model community fish. They occupy the bottom and ignore everything above them, so they slot in under almost any peaceful mid-water stock: \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/ember-tetra-hyphessobrycon-amandae-freshwater\"\u003eEmber Tetra\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/brilliant-rummy-nose-tetra-hemigrammus-bleheri-freshwater\"\u003eBrilliant Rummy Nose Tetra\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/cherry-barb-puntius-titteya-freshwater\"\u003eCherry Barb\u003c\/a\u003e, and \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/zebra-danio-danio-rerio-freshwater\"\u003eZebra Danio\u003c\/a\u003e are all easy matches. The \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/otocinclus-catfish-otocinclus-vittatus-freshwater-algae-eater\"\u003eOtocinclus Catfish\u003c\/a\u003e works the glass and plants while the corys work the sand, so the two complement each other rather than compete.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMixing cory species.\u003c\/strong\u003e Different corydoras will shoal loosely together, but they school properly with their own kind, so six Skunk Corys beats two of three species. If you want to expand the group later we also carry the \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/panda-cory-corydoras-panda-freshwater\"\u003ePanda Cory\u003c\/a\u003e and the \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/orange-laser-corydoras\"\u003eOrange Laser Corydoras\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat to avoid.\u003c\/strong\u003e Large cichlids and anything big enough to try swallowing a 2 inch fish. Corys lock their pectoral and dorsal spines when threatened, which frequently kills both the cory and the fish that attempted it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #1E88E5;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eRecommended Foods \u0026amp; Supplies\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/hikari-sinking-wafers\"\u003eHikari Sinking Wafers\u003c\/a\u003e, the everyday staple\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/repashy-bottom-scratcher\"\u003eRepashy Bottom Scratcher\u003c\/a\u003e invertivore gel\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/xtreme-wrigglers-krill-slow-sinking-sticks\"\u003eXtreme Wrigglers Krill Sinking Sticks\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/estes-natural-aquatic-sand\"\u003eEstes Natural Aquatic Sand\u003c\/a\u003e or \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/caribsea-super-naturals-moonlight-sand\"\u003eCaribSea Super Naturals Moonlight Sand\u003c\/a\u003e for safe barbels\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;border-left:4px solid #1E88E5;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eFAQ\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhy does it keep dashing to the surface?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eCorydoras breathe air. They gulp a bubble at the surface and absorb oxygen through their intestine, which is a genuine adaptation to low oxygen water, not a sign of a problem. An occasional dart up and back is completely normal. Constant trips combined with gasping is a different story and means you should check your water.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCan I keep just two or three?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eYou can, but you should not. Corys are shoaling fish and small numbers leave them nervous and hidden. Six is where the behavior turns on and they start foraging out in the open all day.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDo they clean the tank for me?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eNo, and this is the most common misconception about corys. They will pick at whatever settles, but they need their own sinking food and will slowly starve on scraps. Treat them as a fish you feed, not a maintenance tool.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWill they eat my plants or shrimp?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003ePlants are completely safe. Adult shrimp are generally fine too, though a cory will happily eat shrimplets it finds while foraging, so a dedicated breeding tank is a different conversation.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Squeaky's Aquatics","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48077718683867,"sku":"FW1-F1059","price":7.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0767\/5209\/3403\/files\/image_7102fd7d-1aef-4440-a8e7-e82761f2a800.jpg?v=1766506372","url":"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/skunk-cory-corydoras-arcuatus-freshwater","provider":"Squeaky's Aquatics","version":"1.0","type":"link"}