All fish / Callichthyidae

Skunk Cory

Hoplisoma granti

Also known as skunk corydoras, skunk catfish, arched corydoras, corydoras arcuatus, c020, corydoras granti, arcuatus cory, コリドラス・アルクアトゥス, 弓背鼠, 弓线鼠鱼

A small armoured catfish with a pale, pinkish-cream body and a long black stripe that arches from the snout along the back to the base of the tail. Most fish sold as the skunk cory are this species, kept for their peaceful nature and busy foraging along the substrate.

Care at a glance

Care level

Easy

Temperament

Peaceful

Adult size

5 cm

Temperature

22 to 26 °C

pH

6 to 7.2

Smallest tank

60 litres

Keep as

Group of 6 or more

Diet

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

Swims

Bottom of the tank

Lifespan

5 to 10 years

Water

Freshwater

Wild range

Upper Amazon basin: Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador and Peru

Breeding

Lays eggs, with females sticking them to glass or plants after a T-position embrace, much like other Corydoras. It has been bred in captivity, though it is less often spawned than commoner species and a cool water change can help trigger spawning.

Good to know

Long confused with Brochis arcuata (formerly Corydoras arcuatus), so older care sheets under that name usually refer to this fish. It needs soft sand and clean water to protect its barbels.