All fish / Callichthyidae

Skunk Cory

Brochis arcuatus

Also known as skunk corydoras, arched cory, arched corydoras, corydoras arcuatus, brochis arcuata, brochis arcuatus, skunk catfish, arcuatus cory, コリドラス・アルクアータス, 弓背鼠, 弓线鼠鱼

A small armoured catfish with a cream to pale tan body and one bold black stripe that curves from the snout along the back to the base of the tail. People keep it because it is peaceful, active in groups and spends its time picking through the sand for leftover food.

Care at a glance

Care level

Moderate

Temperament

Peaceful

Adult size

5 cm

Temperature

22 to 26 °C

pH

6 to 7.5

Smallest tank

80 litres

Keep as

Group of 6 or more

Diet

Omnivore: sinking catfish pellets, bloodworm, brine shrimp, daphnia and small worms

Swims

Bottom of the tank

Lifespan

5 to 10 years

Water

Freshwater

Wild range

Upper Amazon basin in Peru, Ecuador, Colombia and Brazil

Breeding

It lays sticky eggs on glass or plants after the typical Corydoras T-position courtship. It is bred in captivity much less often than common cories, and most fish on sale are still wild caught.

Good to know

Wild-caught fish can be delicate when first imported, so quarantine them and keep them on soft sand with clean, well-oxygenated water. A 2024 revision moved this species from Corydoras to Brochis, and it is easily confused with look-alikes such as C. narcissus and C. urucu.