TankBud

Agassiz's cory

Brochis agassizii

Also known as Corydoras agassizii, Spotted cory, Agassiz cory

FreshwaterFish

Agassiz's cory (Brochis agassizii)
Imperial Tropicals · Used with permission

Care at a glance

Temperature
72–79°F
22–26°C
pH
6.0–7.5
Adult size
2.8 in
7 cm
Minimum tank
24 gal
90 L
Temperament
Peaceful
Social behavior
Shoaling
Swim level
Bottom
Difficulty
Medium
Breeding
Medium
Rarity
Common
Family
Callichthyidae
Origin
Upper Amazon around Iquitos in Peru and western Brazil.

Overview

Agassiz's cory is a peaceful, spotted cory that lives on the bottom of a community tank. It needs a little more experience than the easiest cories.

Did you know

Agassiz's cory is easiest to tell from its spotted look-alikes by the jet black leading edge of its dorsal fin.

Caring for the Agassiz's cory

Keep Agassiz's cories in a group of six or more, in a tank of at least 24 gal (90 L). Give them smooth sand, and they settle in well in a planted community.

They like soft to neutral water, at 72 to 79°F (22 to 26°C) and a pH of 6.0 to 7.5. Offer sinking pellets, frozen bloodworm and other small foods that reach the bottom.

Agassiz's cories are peaceful, so keep them with gentle tank mates. Cooler, softer water changes that imitate the rainy season help trigger spawning. Breeding them is moderately difficult.

Good to know

Agassiz's cory is one of several near identical spotted, tall finned cories. The 2024 revision placed it in the genus Brochis, as Brochis agassizii, in the family Callichthyidae.

In the wild

Agassiz's cory lives in tributaries of the upper Amazon around Iquitos in Peru, and in western Brazil. It forages in groups over sand and fine sediment, in slow, shaded stretches near wood and leaf litter. The water there is warm, soft and slightly acidic.

Weekly picks

Tank mates

The Agassiz's cory is a peaceful, shoaling species that keeps to the bottom. These picks share a community profile with it, are safe together in both directions, and overlap on water type, temperature and pH.

Check the full mix in the stocking calculator

Common questions

What size tank does an Agassiz's cory need?

An Agassiz's cory needs at least 24 gal (90 L). It spends most of its time in the bottom.

What temperature and pH does an Agassiz's cory need?

An Agassiz's cory is comfortable at 72–79°F (22–26°C) with a pH of 6.0–7.5.

What does an Agassiz's cory eat?

An Agassiz's cory eats sinking pellets, frozen bloodworm and other small foods that reach the bottom.

How big does an Agassiz's cory get?

An adult Agassiz's cory reaches about 2.8 in (7 cm).

Does an Agassiz's cory need a group?

Yes. An Agassiz's cory is a shoaling species and should be kept in a group, not singly.

How does an Agassiz's cory breed?

Agassiz's cories spawn after cooler, softer water changes that imitate the rainy season. Breeding them is moderately difficult.

Related species