Agassiz's cory
Brochis agassizii
Also known as Corydoras agassizii, Spotted cory, Agassiz cory
FreshwaterFish
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
Keep them in a group of six or more over smooth sand at 22 to 26 C in soft to neutral water. They are peaceful and settle in well in a planted community with gentle tankmates. Offer sinking pellets, frozen bloodworm and other small foods that reach the bottom.
In the wild
Agassiz's cory lives in tributaries of the upper Amazon near Iquitos, foraging over sand and fine sediment. The water is warm, soft and slightly acidic. It forms groups in slow, shaded stretches near wood and leaf litter.
Good to know
This is one of several near identical spotted, tall finned cories, and the quickest way to recognize it is the solid black front edge of the dorsal fin. The 2024 revision placed it in the genus Brochis as Brochis agassizii. Cooler, softer water changes that imitate the rainy season help trigger spawning.
Did you know
The jet black leading edge of the dorsal fin is the fastest way to tell Agassiz's cory from the other spotted cories it resembles.
Weekly picks
Tank mates
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.
Barred danio
Devario pathirana
Freshwater2.4 in (6 cm) · 24 gal (90 L)70–79°F (21–26°C)Siamese flying barb
Laubuka siamensis
Freshwater2.6 in (6.5 cm) · 24 gal (90 L)72–81°F (22–27°C)
Apple snail
Pomacea canaliculata
Freshwater5.9 in (15 cm) · 21 gal (80 L)64–81°F (18–27°C)
Koh Chang loach
Schistura kohchangensis
Freshwater3.5 in (9 cm) · 24 gal (90 L)72–81°F (22–27°C)
Sondhi danio
Devario sondhii
Freshwater3.1 in (8 cm) · 24 gal (90 L)68–79°F (20–26°C)
Wrestling halfbeak
Dermogenys pusilla
FreshwaterBrackish2.8 in (7 cm) · 25 gal (95 L)75–82°F (24–28°C)
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.
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.
Related species
2.8 in (7 cm)24 gal (90 L)72–79°F (22–26°C)Leopard cory
Brochis leopardus
2.8 in (7 cm) · 24 gal (90 L)
2.8 in (7 cm)20 gal (75 L)75–82°F (24–28°C)Mosaic cory
Brochis haraldschultzi
2.8 in (7 cm) · 20 gal (75 L)
2.8 in (7 cm)24 gal (90 L)72–79°F (22–26°C)Ornate cory
Brochis ornata
2.8 in (7 cm) · 24 gal (90 L)
3 in (7.5 cm)26 gal (100 L)72–82°F (22–28°C)Pantanal cory
Brochis pantanalensis
3 in (7.5 cm) · 26 gal (100 L)
2.6 in (6.5 cm)20 gal (75 L)75–82°F (24–28°C)Amanda Jane's cory
Brochis amandajanea
2.6 in (6.5 cm) · 20 gal (75 L)
2.6 in (6.5 cm)20 gal (75 L)73–79°F (23–26°C)Bannertail cory
Brochis robineae
2.6 in (6.5 cm) · 20 gal (75 L)