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Hognosed brochis

Brochis multiradiatus

Also known as Hog Nose Cat, Hog nose brochis

FreshwaterFish

Hognosed brochis (Brochis multiradiatus)
Ltshears · CC BY-SA 3.0

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
Shoaling
Swim level
Bottom
Diet
Omnivore
Difficulty
Medium
Breeding
No record
Rarity
Rare
Family
Callichthyidae
Origin
Ecuador, Peru

Overview

The hognosed brochis is a large, peaceful cory relative for a roomy community tank, and it suits a keeper with some experience.

Did you know

The species name of the hognosed brochis, multiradiatus, means many rayed. Its tall dorsal fin carries about 15 to 18 rays, where a typical cory has only 6 to 8.

Caring for the hognosed brochis

Keep hognosed brochis in a group of six or more, with room on the bottom. They are bulky and best in numbers, so plan on 40 gal (150 L) or more with open sandy areas. Provide a soft sand bed, driftwood and shaded planting.

Keep the water clean and well filtered, at 70 to 79°F (21 to 26°C) and a near-neutral pH of 6.5 to 7.5. Make regular water changes. Feed sinking pellets, frozen bloodworm and other meaty foods, and some vegetable matter, making sure enough sinks to the floor.

Hognosed brochis are peaceful and mix well with calm, medium-sized community fish, grazing the substrate as a group. Home spawning is seldom documented. Like the rest of their group, they deposit adhesive eggs on firm surfaces.

Good to know

The hognosed brochis is a deep-bodied armored catfish of the family Callichthyidae, in the genus Brochis. It roots through sand with its notably long, hog-like snout, which makes it one of the more distinctive large cories. Other names for it include hog nose cat and hog nose brochis.

In the wild

The hognosed brochis comes from the upper Amazon in Ecuador and Peru, including the Napo drainage. It lives over sand in warm, soft, gently flowing water.

Weekly picks

Tank mates

The hognosed brochis 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 a hognosed brochis need?

A hognosed brochis needs at least 40 gal (150 L). It spends most of its time in the bottom.

What temperature and pH does a hognosed brochis need?

A hognosed brochis is comfortable at 70–79°F (21–26°C) with a pH of 6.5–7.5.

What does a hognosed brochis eat?

A hognosed brochis eats sinking pellets, frozen bloodworm and other meaty foods, and some vegetable matter. Make sure enough sinks to the floor.

How big does a hognosed brochis get?

An adult hognosed brochis reaches about 3.5 in (9 cm).

Does a hognosed brochis need a group?

Yes. A hognosed brochis is a shoaling species and should be kept in a group, not singly.

How does a hognosed brochis breed?

Hognosed brochis are seldom documented spawning at home. Like the rest of their group, they deposit adhesive eggs on firm surfaces.

Related species