All fish / Callichthyidae

Julii Cory

Corydoras julii

Also known as julii corydoras, leopard cory, julie cory, juli cory, julii catfish, leopard corydoras, false julii, コリドラス・ジュリー, corydoras julii, 豹纹鼠鱼, 真豹纹鼠

A small armoured catfish with a pale grey body covered in fine black dots and a squiggly maze pattern on the head, plus a dark line along the side. It is kept for its lively, sociable foraging along the substrate and its gentle nature in community tanks.

Care at a glance

Care level

Easy

Temperament

Peaceful

Adult size

5 cm

Temperature

22 to 26 °C

pH

6 to 7.5

Smallest tank

60 litres

Keep as

Group of 6 or more

Diet

Omnivore: sinking pellets, wafers, bloodworm, daphnia and brine shrimp

Swims

Bottom of the tank

Lifespan

5 to 10 years

Water

Freshwater

Wild range

Brazil: lower Amazon tributaries in Piauí, Maranhão and Pará

Breeding

Spawns in typical cory fashion with a T-position, the female sticking eggs to glass and plants, often triggered by a cooler water change. It is bred occasionally in captivity but is less often bred than common cories.

Good to know

Most fish sold as julii are actually the similar Corydoras trilineatus, which has a bolder reticulated pattern and is more widely available. Give them soft sand to protect their barbels and avoid salt treatments.