Gold Laser Cory (CW010)

The Gold Laser Cory (CW010) is a peaceful South American armoured catfish with a bright gold line over an olive-bronze body. This listing is for one live, unsexed fish in the approximate size selected. It is not a six-fish pack, and a size choice does not guarantee male or female. The live options are approximately 2-2.5 cm, 2.5-3 cm and 3-4 cm; price and availability are controlled separately by each Shopify variant.

CW010 is prized for more than colour. A settled group searches the floor together, pauses under wood or plants, and then fans out again to investigate the sand. The fish is gentle with suitable tank mates, but it needs deliberate feeding and a proper same-kind social group. It is not an algae eater, a waste disposal service or a substitute for aquarium maintenance.

Plan this purchase around the adult fish, not the supplied juvenile. Allow at least 90 litres and 80 cm of aquarium length for six adults, with more floor area for a larger shoal or additional bottom dwellers. A practical target is 22-26°C, pH 6.5-7.2 and approximately 2-12 dGH in a mature, well-oxygenated aquarium. Clean, stable water and a smooth foraging surface are central to long-term care.

Is a Gold Laser Cory right for your aquarium?

This fish is a strong choice for a keeper who wants an active but non-territorial bottom species and is prepared to keep a real social group. It suits a mature planted community aquarium, a species-focused display or a calm South American-style setup. Its metallic line remains visible in subdued light and gives a group a distinctive moving highlight without the aggressive behaviour associated with many showier fish.

The important limitation is floor space. Six adults must be able to forage without constantly colliding with decor, plecos, loaches or food competitors. A tall aquarium with a tiny base is less useful than a long, moderately deep tank. The filter must already be biologically mature, ammonia and nitrite must remain at zero, and oxygen must be dependable at the warmest point of the day.

This is not the best first animal for a newly filled aquarium or an impulse addition to a tank with only one or two other corys. It is also a poor fit where the water is persistently hot, the substrate has sharp fragments, or aggressive fish control every feeding area. The right setup rewards the keeper with confident social behaviour; the wrong setup often produces hiding, weight loss and damaged barbels long before a dramatic emergency appears.

Good reasons to choose CW010

• You can keep at least six and provide an 80 cm or longer footprint.
• Your aquarium is mature, covered and consistently well oxygenated.
• You enjoy observing natural foraging and group interaction.
• You can deliver sinking food after faster midwater fish have eaten.
• You prefer a peaceful show fish with a restrained gold-and-bronze pattern.

Reasons to choose another species first

• The tank is under 90 litres or shorter than 80 cm.
• You only have room for one or two more bottom fish.
• The aquarium regularly exceeds 26°C for long periods.
• Large cichlids, aggressive loaches or territorial catfish own the floor.
• You want an animal primarily to remove algae or uneaten waste.

What exactly is CW010?

CW010 is an aquarium identification code used for a recognisable fish that has not been given a formal species description. The letters and number help specialists, breeders and retailers discuss the same form without inventing a scientific name. It is widely known in the trade as the Gold Laser Cory and was long written as Corydoras sp. CW010.

A major revision of the subfamily now places this lineage in Osteogaster. The most defensible current provisional identity is therefore Osteogaster sp. CW010, while the older Corydoras wording remains familiar and useful in the aquarium trade. This page uses both where context helps, but it does not present CW010 as a formally described binomial.

Current and familiar names

Name	How it is used	What it means
Gold Laser Cory	Preferred customer-facing common name	Refers to the bright metallic dorsal stripe
Osteogaster sp. CW010	Current provisional scientific placement	An undescribed form in the revised genus
Corydoras sp. CW010	Former and familiar trade identity	The name still used in older books, searches and stock lists
CW010	Specialist identification code	Not a retail stock-keeping code and not a formal species epithet

Why the taxonomy changed

The family relationship did not suddenly change in the aquarium; the scientific classification became more precise. Genetic and morphological work showed that the enormous old genus contained several distinct evolutionary lineages. The revised framework re-established genera including Osteogaster. A peer-reviewed Corydoradinae classification explains that wider revision.

For a buyer, care should follow the known CW010 form rather than generic assumptions about every cory. The new name does not change the fish's sale unit, temperament or immediate husbandry, but clear identity helps prevent misleading comparisons with unrelated panda, pygmy or sterbai species.

Evidence and uncertainty

Specialist records associate CW010 with Peru near Pucallpa and the Rio Ucayali drainage. The current CW010 species account records its size, social care and practical water range, while the Gold Laser profile documents its long-standing trade recognition. Because the form remains undescribed, this listing does not promise a collecting locality, pure wild lineage or a final species relationship.

Appearance, size and natural variation

The feature that gives this fish its common name is the luminous yellow-gold band running from the shoulder along the upper body. Beneath it, the flanks may appear olive, bronze, grey-green or brown depending on age, diet, mood, substrate and lighting. The belly is paler, the mouth points down towards the substrate, and several pairs of barbels help the fish inspect food and surfaces.

Young fish may look less dramatic immediately after transport. Their stripe can strengthen as they settle, resume feeding and move under lower-stress lighting. Exact brightness is a natural characteristic, not a printed colour standard. A fish may also arrive slimmer or paler than a mature display specimen without being a different form.

Adult size and body shape

Males are generally slimmer and reach around 5.5 cm. Mature females can approach 6 cm and often become broader through the abdomen when viewed from above. Sex is difficult to judge reliably in small juveniles, which is why this product is sold unsexed. Ordering a larger size option does not create a sex guarantee.

Life stage or choice	Approximate length	Planning note
Small listed variant	2-2.5 cm	Juvenile; markings and sex may be less obvious
Medium listed variant	2.5-3 cm	Juvenile; still needs adult-sized group planning
Large listed variant	3-4 cm	Young fish; not necessarily sexually mature
Adult male planning size	About 5.5 cm	Usually slimmer when mature
Adult female planning size	About 6 cm	Often deeper-bodied when mature

What the gallery can and cannot show

The four existing gallery images are representative illustrations chosen to communicate the gold line, armoured shape, downturned mouth and planted-aquarium context. They are not photographs of the individual animal that will be packed for an order. The exact fish will vary in tone, stripe intensity, fin position, body depth and developmental stage. No image should be read as a promise of sex, perfect symmetry or a particular backdrop.

Origin and habitat context

CW010 is associated with Peruvian waters around Pucallpa in the Rio Ucayali basin. That broad context points to warm freshwater margins and tributary habitats where fish can search fine deposits around leaves, roots and submerged structure. It does not justify claiming that every commercial animal came directly from one named stream, and this listing makes no wild-caught claim.

The useful aquarium lesson is behavioural. These fish are adapted to inspect the bottom continuously, using their barbels and mouth to locate small edible material. A bare, brightly lit box may keep them alive, but it does not provide the same choice of shaded resting places, soft foraging zones and broken sight lines as a thoughtfully furnished aquarium.

Turning habitat knowledge into husbandry

Use natural context as a guide rather than trying to reproduce a photograph. Fine smooth sand across most of the floor, pieces of wood, robust plants and some open feeding space work well. Leaf litter can add cover in an appropriate setup, but it must not be allowed to trap large amounts of decaying food. Gentle to moderate circulation should deliver oxygen throughout the tank without forcing the shoal to fight a strong current continuously.

Subdued areas help newly arrived fish settle, while an open foreground lets the keeper check body condition and feeding. This balance is more useful than filling every centimetre with caves. A social cory generally wants the choice to rest beneath cover and then move into a broad shared foraging area.

Tank size and floor-space planning

The practical minimum for six adults is 90 litres with an aquarium length of at least 80 cm. This is a planning floor, not a target to squeeze under. A longer tank gives the group multiple feeding patches and leaves room to move around wood, plants and filter equipment. Increase the footprint for eight or more fish, busy tank mates or another bottom-dwelling species.

Volume alone can mislead. A 90-litre cube and a 90-litre rectangular aquarium do not offer the same linear floor route. Measure the usable base after allowing for large decor. A layout that reduces the open bottom to a narrow corridor may need a larger aquarium even though the label says 90 litres.

How many should be kept together?

Keep at least six CW010 together. Eight or more can show fuller social behaviour where the aquarium provides enough floor area and food access. One or two may survive, but survival is a poor welfare standard: a very small group is more likely to hide, startle or depend on unrelated cory species for partial security.

A mixed collection does not fully replace a same-form group. Different corys may rest and feed near one another, yet their signals, preferred conditions and adult sizes can differ. Build the core group first, then assess whether the aquarium genuinely has capacity for another bottom species.

Footprint, cover and open lanes

Reserve a generous open sand area for group feeding and observation. Place wood and plants towards the back or sides, creating shaded pockets without dividing the floor into isolated cells. Keep the route to the surface clear because these armoured catfish sometimes make a rapid air-breathing visit.

Setup factor	Practical target	Why it matters
Adult group	Six minimum; eight or more where space allows	Supports confidence and natural social activity
Aquarium volume	90 litres minimum for six adults	Provides dilution, stability and group space
Aquarium length	At least 80 cm	Creates useful foraging routes and feeding separation
Open floor	Broad sand area	Allows the group to sift and lets the keeper assess them
Cover	Wood, plants and shaded edges	Gives choice without enclosing the whole floor

Water parameters and filtration

A practical target is 22-26°C, pH 6.5-7.2 and approximately 2-12 dGH. These are husbandry bands, not instructions to force tap water rapidly with chemicals. A stable tank near the middle of the range is safer than one that swings while the keeper chases a decimal point. Test the source water and acclimate carefully when the shop and home values differ.

Ammonia and nitrite must remain at zero. Keep nitrate controlled through stocking, feeding, plant growth and regular water changes rather than relying on a single universal threshold. Oxygen is especially important during warm weather, after medication, at night in heavily planted tanks and whenever organic waste increases.

Recommended parameter table

Parameter	Practical target	Response outside target
Temperature	22-26°C	Correct slowly; investigate persistent heat and oxygen loss
pH	6.5-7.2	Prioritise stability and source-water compatibility
General hardness	About 2-12 dGH	Acclimate across meaningful differences; avoid sudden mineral shifts
Ammonia	0 mg/L	Stop feeding, protect oxygen and perform appropriate emergency maintenance
Nitrite	0 mg/L	Treat as a filtration or cycling emergency
Oxygen	High and stable	Increase surface movement and investigate the cause of decline

Filtration and flow

Use a mature filter sized for the entire community, with intake protection appropriate to the supplied fish. A sponge pre-filter can prevent small juveniles from being drawn against an intake and provides another surface for grazing. Position the return so oxygenated water reaches the lower tank without turning the floor into a constant high-flow channel.

Mechanical filtration should capture suspended debris, while biological media handles dissolved waste. Neither replaces substrate maintenance. Clean filter media in removed aquarium water when necessary and avoid replacing all mature media at once. A sudden loss of biofiltration is far more dangerous than a little harmless staining.

Air breathing: normal visit or warning?

Corydoradinae are facultative air breathers and can use a modified intestine for gas exchange. An occasional fast trip to the surface followed by an immediate return may therefore be normal. A new pattern of repeated dashing, all fish gathering near the surface, rapid gill movement or lethargy is different: check temperature, oxygen, ammonia, nitrite, filter operation and surface movement promptly.

Substrate, plants and decor

Fine smooth sand is the preferred surface because it supports the fish's natural sifting behaviour. The group can take mouthfuls, separate edible particles and expel the sand through the gill area. This is both enrichment and a useful way for the keeper to observe appetite. Rinse new substrate appropriately and choose material without sharp fragments.

It is too simple to say that every piece of rounded gravel automatically removes barbels. Abrasive edges can cause injury, while trapped waste, poor water quality and high bacterial load can worsen tissue damage. The sensible approach is to provide a smooth surface and keep it clean. Do not use the substrate debate as a reason to ignore hygiene.

Planting that leaves room to forage

Attach epiphytes to wood, place rooted plants around the perimeter and keep a broad foreground open. Dense planting can be excellent, but the group still needs accessible feeding zones where sinking food does not disappear into stems. Secure new plants so early exploration does not expose roots, and remove decaying leaves before they accumulate beneath hardscape.

Safe decor and handling hazards

Use smooth wood, stones and hides with openings large enough that an adult cannot wedge itself. Avoid narrow ornaments with unseen chambers. Corys have strong pectoral and dorsal spines that may lock when alarmed; these can snag fine mesh and can prick skin. Guide the fish calmly with a suitable container or coarse soft net, and never grasp it tightly.

Element	Recommended	Avoid
Substrate	Fine, smooth, clean aquarium sand	Sharp chips, abrasive fragments and deep dirty pockets
Hardscape	Smooth wood and stable stones	Tight holes, unstable stacks and cutting edges
Plants	Shaded edges with open feeding floor	A floor so dense that food and fish cannot be checked
Lighting	Moderate with shaded choices	Unbroken glare and no refuge
Surface route	Clear access under a secure lid	Floating barriers that trap a surfacing fish

Social behaviour and group dynamics

A healthy shoal alternates between shared rest, loose searching and brief coordinated movement. Not every individual must remain shoulder-to-shoulder all day. Confidence is better judged by regular feeding, normal body condition, exploratory behaviour and the ability to rest openly, not by demanding a perfect school in every minute.

New arrivals may hide while learning the tank. Dim the light, reduce disturbance and make sure food reaches their area. If only one animal remains withdrawn after the others settle, inspect it closely for injury, breathing changes or poor weight. Social support cannot correct a physical illness or unsuitable water.

Adding fish to an established group

Quarantine according to your established livestock protocol and match temperature and chemistry carefully. Additions should be the same CW010 form when the goal is to strengthen the shoal. Reassess adult capacity before buying: adding juveniles to reach six is good only if the aquarium can support six adults.

What to feed a Gold Laser Cory

Base the diet on a complete sinking micro-pellet, tablet or soft wafer appropriate to the fish's mouth size. Add measured portions of frozen or live foods such as daphnia, cyclops, brine shrimp, mosquito larvae or suitable worms. Rotation improves nutritional breadth, but rich foods should supplement rather than replace a balanced staple.

These fish may investigate biofilm and tiny organisms, yet they cannot live reliably on algae, faeces or the fragments missed by other fish. In a busy community, midwater species can consume nearly everything before it lands. Watch a complete feeding and confirm that each cory gets food rather than assuming a sinking tablet has solved the problem.

Feeding frequency and portion control

Feed small juveniles modest portions once or twice daily, adjusting for the rest of the community. Adults can also be fed once or twice daily, with an occasional lighter day where appropriate. The correct amount is what the group can locate and consume without leaving food to decay in the substrate. There is no universal wafer-per-fish rule because food size and density vary widely.

Practical weekly feeding pattern

Food role	Examples	How to use it
Complete staple	Sinking micro-pellets, tablets or quality soft wafers	Most feeds; choose a particle the smallest fish can manage
Small animal supplement	Daphnia, cyclops, brine shrimp, mosquito larvae	Rotate measured portions several times weekly
Conditioning food	Appropriate worms or richer frozen foods	Use sparingly while monitoring body shape and water quality
Natural grazing	Biofilm and tiny organisms in a mature tank	A useful extra, never the sole diet
Not food	Fish waste, rotting leftovers or nuisance algae	Remove through maintenance; do not expect the cory to clear it

How to make sure food reaches the shoal

Feed fast upper-level fish first, then place sinking food in two or three open locations. A feeding dish can help in a heavily planted aquarium. Evening feeding may suit a busy community, but the tank should still be lit enough for the keeper to confirm consumption. Remove uneaten rich food rather than leaving it overnight.

Tank mates and compatibility

Choose peaceful fish that overlap in water chemistry and temperature without dominating the bottom. Small and medium tetras, pencilfish, calm rasboras and other restrained community species can work. Compatibility is not a label attached to a species forever: adult size, group number, feeding speed, aquarium length and individual behaviour all affect the result.

Other cory forms can coexist in a large aquarium, but they should not be used to justify keeping too few CW010. Loaches and plecos require closer scrutiny because many share the same floor and food. A peaceful species can still be a poor companion when it grows large, becomes territorial around caves or starves the shoal at every meal.

Compatibility guide

Potential companion	General fit	Check before combining
Small peaceful tetras and pencilfish	Often suitable	Temperature, pH, adult group size and feeding speed
Calm rasboras	Often suitable	Water chemistry and activity level
Other same-sized cory forms	Possible in a larger tank	Maintain six CW010 and provide enough floor for both groups
Small peaceful plecos	Use caution	Adult size, cave territory, waste load and food access
Loaches	Use caution	Some are boisterous, social in large groups or strong food competitors
Dwarf shrimp	Adults often coexist	Very small shrimplets may be eaten opportunistically
Large or aggressive cichlids	Avoid	Predation, harassment and floor territory
Goldfish	Avoid	Different temperature, feeding and waste-management needs

Use water and adult size, not a generic list

Before combining species, compare the actual home-water values with the practical ranges for every animal. The site's water matcher can help organise that check, but observation still matters. A combination that is chemically compatible may fail if one species monopolises food or repeatedly startles the other.

Shrimp and snails

Adult ornamental shrimp often coexist in a planted tank, although newly hatched shrimplets can be eaten when encountered. Snails are generally ignored, and CW010 should not be purchased as snail control. If a snail population expands, correct excess feeding and organic waste rather than adding a fish with the wrong job description.

Arrival, acclimation and the first week

Prepare the aquarium before dispatch day. Confirm that the filter is running, temperature is stable, the lid is secure and the lights can be dimmed. Have a clean container and test equipment ready. Do not redesign the tank while the fish is in transit.

On arrival, follow the current instructions supplied for livestock and compare bag water with the aquarium where practical. Long transport changes water chemistry inside a sealed bag, so an unnecessarily prolonged open-bag process can be counterproductive. The site's guided acclimation timer supports a consistent process, but the written order instructions take priority.

First-day priorities

• Keep lighting low and avoid tapping, chasing or repeated netting.
• Release the fish into a clean, mature aquarium with compatible water.
• Check breathing, balance and the ability to remain upright.
• Offer only a small appropriate feed once the fish has had time to settle.
• Remove uneaten food and record any concern with clear photographs.

What can be normal after transport?

Paler colour, hiding and a cautious appetite can occur during the first hours. A juvenile may join the group only after the room is quiet. Improvement should be visible as stress falls. Loss of balance, persistent surface distress, severe injury, uncontrolled spinning or failure to respond are not routine settling behaviours and should be documented promptly.

Routine care and water changes

Perform regular partial water changes based on test results, stocking and feeding. Many established community tanks settle around a weekly schedule, but the percentage must reflect the real nitrate trend and source-water match. Temperature and chemistry of replacement water should be close enough to avoid an accidental shock.

Lightly siphon open sand where debris accumulates and clean beneath movable decor in rotation. Do not tear apart the entire aquarium at every service. Preserve stable biofiltration while preventing food and waste from forming stagnant pockets around the area where barbels spend most of the day.

Maintenance checklist

Frequency	Check	Action
Every day	Breathing, balance, appetite, group behaviour and equipment	Investigate any sudden shared change
At feeding	Food reaches every fish	Use multiple sinking-food locations and remove excess
Weekly or test-led	Water chemistry and debris	Perform a matched partial water change and targeted siphon
As flow declines	Filter intake and mechanical media	Clean without destroying mature biological media
Monthly review	Body condition, barbels, adult space and stocking	Correct slow trends before they become emergencies

Using the full care guide

For deeper information on general cory husbandry, substrate planning and social care, use the site's Corydoras care guide. Apply its general principles through the CW010-specific temperature, size and group guidance on this page.

Health, body condition and warning signs

A healthy fish is alert, balanced and able to reach food. The abdomen should not become sharply hollow, and the back should not look pinched behind the head. Barbels should be intact, fins should be held normally, and the skin should be free from obvious ulcers or cotton-like growth. Colour alone is not a diagnosis because stress, lighting and substrate alter appearance.

Barbel care

Shortening or inflammation can involve abrasion, trapped waste, bacterial load, poor water quality or a combination of factors. Check ammonia and nitrite immediately, inspect the substrate for sharp material, improve hygiene and obtain qualified aquatic-veterinary or experienced fish-health advice where damage progresses. Do not reach for salt or medication blindly; armoured catfish can be sensitive to unsuitable treatments and dose assumptions.

When surface visits become concerning

An occasional air gulp is part of cory physiology. Concern rises when visits become much more frequent, several fish breathe rapidly, the group gathers near the outlet or behaviour changes suddenly after heat, cleaning, medication or equipment failure. Increase safe aeration, verify the filter and test water before assuming the fish is simply being lively.

Red flags that need prompt action

• Ammonia or nitrite above zero.
• Loss of balance, prolonged immobility or uncontrolled movement.
• Rapid weight loss or refusal of several appropriate foods.
• Open sores, spreading redness, severe fin damage or fungal-looking growth.
• A sudden shared breathing change across the aquarium.

Sexing and breeding overview

Mature females are usually broader and males slimmer, especially when viewed from above, but juveniles cannot be sexed reliably from body width. This listing remains unsexed across every size option. A mixed-sex outcome is possible when buying a group, not guaranteed.

Well-conditioned adults may spawn after rich feeding and a water change that provides a cooler, fresh-water cue. During courtship, activity increases and the familiar cory T-position may be seen. Adhesive eggs are placed on glass, plant leaves or other surfaces. Adults may eat eggs, so breeders usually move the eggs or adults to a prepared rearing setup.

Breeding conditions

Use mature filtration, excellent oxygenation and clean water. Specialist guidance often starts with more males than females, such as roughly two males per female, but the final group must still be housed humanely outside a short spawning setup. Condition with a varied diet rather than excessive single-food feeding.

Egg and fry care

Protect eggs from adults, keep gentle water movement around them and remove obviously fungused eggs with clean tools. Newly hatched fry use their yolk reserve before needing very small foods. Once feeding begins, provide appropriately sized live or prepared fry foods in frequent measured portions and maintain exceptional cleanliness without exposing fry to powerful suction.

Breeding is optional, not a health requirement. A community keeper can enjoy the shoal without trying to produce fry. Do not lower temperature, perform extreme water changes or overfeed solely to force spawning.

How to read the gallery responsibly

The gallery's four images show the intended identity and typical visual themes: metallic dorsal stripe, green-bronze flank, armoured profile, barbels and planted freshwater context. They are representative illustrations. They should help a buyer distinguish this form from spotted or panda-patterned corys, but they cannot show the exact fish selected on dispatch day.

Natural animals vary, and juvenile appearance develops. Transport colour can be muted. The selected size is approximate and a living fish may sit slightly outside the stated band. No image establishes sex, adult condition or a guaranteed stripe intensity. This disclosure protects accurate expectations without reducing the usefulness of the visual guide.

Image-by-image purpose

• The primary illustration presents the overall gold-line identity and body shape.
• The paired scene communicates social rather than solitary care.
• The side profile helps show the downturned mouth and armoured outline.
• The planted scene provides habitat context rather than a promise of included decor.

Ordering, delivery and live-arrival support

Select the approximate size required and check the current variant price and availability shown beside the buy button. Each option represents one fish. To build the minimum group, set the quantity accordingly and confirm that your adult aquarium capacity is sufficient. Inventory can change independently for the three sizes, so this description does not hardcode an availability promise.

Eligible livestock orders are packed under the site's current delivery process and supported by the published Live Arrival Guarantee. Read the livestock delivery information before ordering because destination, dispatch day, weather and contact requirements may affect eligibility. Report a delivery concern within the stated policy window using clear evidence.

First-order saving

New customers can use WELCOME10 for 10% off a first eligible order under the current promotion terms. Enter the code at checkout and confirm that it has applied before payment. A promotion does not override livestock compatibility, minimum group needs or delivery exclusions.

Browse and plan the full group

The Corydoras range shows current related stock, while the ranked Corydoras UK guide compares common forms and explains broader buying decisions. Use those pages to plan a coherent aquarium, not to replace the requirement for a same-form CW010 group.

How CW010 compares with other popular corys

The Gold Laser form is best chosen for its metallic stripe and moderate adult size. Panda corys offer bold black patches, pygmy corys remain much smaller and spend more time above the bottom, sterbai corys are often selected for warmer aquariums, and bronze forms are widely available robust community fish. These differences matter more than stuffing several species names into one sales title.

Type	Typical attraction	Key planning distinction
Gold Laser CW010	Bright gold line over an olive-bronze body	About 5.5-6 cm; 22-26°C; group of six or more
Panda cory	High-contrast eye and tail patches	Different species identity and temperature planning
Pygmy cory	Very small size and frequent midwater movement	Not a miniature CW010; different adult scale and behaviour
Sterbai cory	Fine spotted pattern and orange pectoral detail	Often considered for warmer community setups
Bronze cory	Classic bronze form and broad availability	A described species/form, not the provisional CW010 identity

Gold Laser Cory questions answered

What scientific name should I use for CW010?

The current provisional placement is Osteogaster sp. CW010. The familiar older trade name is Corydoras sp. CW010. CW010 remains an identification code because the fish has not received a formal species description.

How many fish are included in this listing?

One live, unsexed fish is included in the size selected. The three size choices are separate variants, not group packs. Set the cart quantity to the number required and plan for at least six adults.

What size will arrive?

Choose approximately 2-2.5 cm, 2.5-3 cm or 3-4 cm where available. A living fish may be slightly outside the stated band. The supplied length is a juvenile sale size, not its adult maximum.

Can I choose male or female?

No. Every current size option is unsexed. Mature females are often broader and males slimmer, but body shape is not reliable enough in small juveniles to promise sex.

How large does a Gold Laser Cory grow?

Plan for about 5.5 cm in adult males and around 6 cm in adult females. Aquarium capacity should be based on the whole adult group, not the size delivered.

What is the minimum tank size?

Use at least 90 litres with 80 cm or more aquarium length for six adults. Choose a larger footprint for a bigger shoal, substantial decor or additional bottom dwellers.

What temperature and pH does CW010 need?

A practical target is 22-26°C and pH 6.5-7.2, with approximately 2-12 dGH. Stability, oxygen and careful acclimation are more important than rapid chemical adjustment to a single perfect number.

Can I keep one Gold Laser Cory?

No solitary plan is recommended. Keep at least six of the same form, with eight or more where adult floor space allows. Other cory species do not fully replace a same-form group.

Will it clean algae or eat fish waste?

No. It may inspect biofilm, but it is not an algae-control species and does not live on waste. Feed a complete sinking diet and maintain the aquarium yourself.

Is sand compulsory?

Fine smooth sand is strongly recommended because it supports natural sifting and is easy to inspect. Barbel problems can involve abrasion, trapped waste, bacteria and water quality together, so both surface choice and hygiene matter.

Why does my cory swim to the surface?

An occasional rapid air gulp can be normal because corys are facultative air breathers. A sudden or repeated increase, especially with rapid gill movement or group-wide distress, requires immediate oxygen, temperature and water-quality checks.

Are the gallery images the exact fish I will receive?

No. All four gallery images are representative illustrations. The dispatched fish will vary naturally in exact colour, stripe intensity, body depth, fin position, sex and developmental stage.