Book excerpt: The Corydoras is a genus of freshwater catfish that belongs to the Callichthyidae family. The name Corydoras is derived from the Greek word 'Kory, ' which means 'helmet, ' and 'Doras, ' which means skin. The Corydoras is the largest of the Neotropical fishes with over 160 species within it! Due to the large number of species within the genus there is a wide range of colorations, sizes and body shapes available to purchase. However despite the diversity, all the fish within the genus are cared for in a similar way within a home aquarium. Corydoras catfish is native to South America and can commonly be found anywhere from Trinidad to Argentina. The Corydoras can mainly be found in small slow moving rivers, streams, pounds and marshes. Before purchasing any fish it is important to understand that as a fish owner you are responsible for the care and wellbeing of your fish. It is important to try and learn as much as you can about the fish you are considering to keep. You need to make sure that your lifestyle, household and financial status are suited to provide your fish with the best possible care. This guide has been designed to provide you with both precise and concise information about a Corydoras Catfish's basic needs to help you provide your fish with the best quality care and aquarium practices. This guide also goes into the benefits of cycling, having a decent filtration system, plants and how to plant them. This book was previously published by 'Fish Care Manuals' under the same name.