Corydoras Melini

Melini's cory carries a broad, blurred dark band along its flank rather than the crisp spots or stripes of its relatives — a pattern that blends surprisingly well into shadowed leaf litter and root tangles once the fish stops moving. Corydoras as a genus are estimated to have diversified into well over 170 described species across South America, and new ones are still being found, which tells you how successful this basic body plan actually is.

Care level: Easy · Temperament: Peaceful, shoaling · Max size: ~2.5" · Min tank: 20 gal · Diet: Omnivore, sinking pellets + occasional live/frozen