It originates in inland waters in South America, and is found in the upper Araguaia River basin in Brazil.

The fish will grow in length up to 2.9 centimetres (1.1 inches).

It lives in a tropical climate in water with a pH of 6.0 – 7.2, a water hardness of 12 dGH, and a temperature range of 22–25 °C (72–77 °F).

It feeds on worms, benthic crustaceans, insects, and plant matter.

The sixray corydoras is of commercial importance in the aquarium trade industry.