Bandit cory

The bandit cory is a small, peaceful armoured catfish from the Rio Meta drainage in Colombia, named for the dark mask-like band running through its eyes and a second stripe along the dorsal ridge. It inhabits soft, warm, well-oxygenated tributaries over sand and leaf litter. Strongly gregarious, it should be kept in groups of at least six on a fine sand substrate to protect its delicate barbels, which are essential for foraging. It coexists happily with tetras, small rasboras, dwarf cichlids and other corys. Maintain temperatures of 22-26 C, a pH near neutral to slightly acidic, and soft to moderately hard water. Feed a varied omnivorous diet of sinking pellets, frozen bloodworm, Daphnia and the occasional vegetable matter. Good filtration and clean substrate prevent barbel erosion.