It originates in inland waters in South America, and is found in the central Amazon River basin in Brazil and Colombia, Peruvian [Amazon and coastal rivers in Suriname.

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

The female holds two to four eggs between her pelvic fins, where the male fertilizes them for about 30 seconds.

Only then does the female swim to a suitable spot, where she attaches the very sticky eggs.

[citation needed] The three-stripe corydoras is of commercial importance in the aquarium trade industry.