All fish / Callichthyidae

Leopard Cory

Brochis leopardus

Also known as leopard corydoras, leopard catfish, corydoras leopardus, leopardus cory, long-nosed leopard cory, leopard cory catfish, コリドラス・レオパルドゥス, 豹纹鼠鱼, 豹斑鼠

This is a pale armoured catfish covered in a fine network of dark spots and lines, with a dark line along the flank, a black blotch on the dorsal fin and a longer, more pointed snout than most similar corys. People keep it because it is a peaceful, active bottom dweller that spends its time sifting the substrate in groups and gets along with most community fish.

Care at a glance

Care level

Easy

Temperament

Peaceful

Adult size

6.5 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 pellets and wafers, bloodworm, brine shrimp, daphnia and other small live or frozen foods

Swims

Bottom of the tank

Lifespan

8 to 15 years

Water

Freshwater

Wild range

Upper Amazon basin, Peru, Colombia and Brazil

Breeding

It lays eggs much like other corys: the female holds the eggs between her pelvic fins and sticks them to glass or plants, often after a large cool water change. It is bred in captivity now and then, but not often, and the eggs and fry do best when moved to a separate container.

Good to know

It is often mixed up with the three line cory (Hoplisoma trilineatum), which has a shorter snout and stays smaller. Use soft sand or smooth gravel so it does not damage its barbels.