Hognosed brochis

Brochis multiradiatus

FreshwaterFish

Care at a glance

Temperature: 70–79°F (21–26°C)
pH: 6.5–7.5
Adult size: 3.5 in (9 cm)
Minimum tank: 40 gal (150 L)
Temperament: Peaceful
Social behavior: Schooling
Swim level: Bottom
Difficulty: Medium
Breeding: No record
Rarity: Rare
Origin: Ecuador, Peru
Family: Callichthyidae

Overview

The hognosed brochis is a large, peaceful cory relative that shoals, so keep six or more and give them room on the bottom. They graze the substrate in a group and mix well with calm, medium sized community fish. Offer sinking pellets, frozen bloodworm and other meaty foods, and some vegetable matter, making sure enough sinks to the floor. Because they are bulky and best in numbers, plan on a tank of around 150 liters or larger with open sandy areas.

In the wild

Brochis multiradiatus comes from the upper Amazon in Ecuador and Peru, including the Napo drainage, living over sand in warm, soft, gently flowing water. Provide a soft sand bed, driftwood, and shaded planting, with clean, well filtered water and open foraging space. Keep the temperature between 21 and 26 C and a near neutral pH of 6.5 to 7.5, with regular water changes.

Good to know

This deep bodied armored catfish of the family Callichthyidae reaches around 9 cm and carries a notably long, hog like snout. It belongs to Brochis, whose name here, multiradiatus, means many rayed, after the tall dorsal fin carrying roughly 15 to 18 rays where a typical cory has only 6 to 8. Home spawning is seldom documented, though the group deposits adhesive eggs on firm surfaces.

Did you know

The name multiradiatus means many rayed, describing the extra long dorsal fin packed with fifteen to eighteen rays. Combined with its elongated, hog like snout used to root through sand, it makes this one of the more distinctive large cories.