Hognosed brochis
Brochis multiradiatus
Also known as Hog Nose Cat, Hog nose brochis
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
- Shoaling
- Swim level
- Bottom
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Breeding
- No record
- Rarity
- Rare
- Family
- Callichthyidae
- Origin
- Ecuador, Peru
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.
Weekly picks
Tank mates
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.
Melon barb
Haludaria fasciata
Freshwater2.8 in (7 cm) · 40 gal (150 L)72–79°F (22–26°C)
Pike topminnow
Belonesox belizanus
Freshwater7.9 in (20 cm) · 44 gal (165 L)73–82°F (23–28°C)
Hoplo catfish
Hoplosternum littorale
Freshwater7.9 in (20 cm) · 40 gal (150 L)72–81°F (22–27°C)Red-tail bitterling
Acheilognathus tonkinensis
Freshwater4.7 in (12 cm) · 40 gal (150 L)61–79°F (16–26°C)
Common hatchetfish
Gasteropelecus sternicla
Freshwater1.6 in (4 cm) · 33 gal (125 L)68–82°F (20–28°C)
Bulldog pleco
Chaetostoma formosae
Freshwater4.3 in (11 cm) · 40 gal (150 L)68–77°F (20–25°C)
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.
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.
Related species
3.5 in (9 cm)40 gal (150 L)70–79°F (21–26°C)Giant brochis
Brochis britskii
3.5 in (9 cm) · 40 gal (150 L)
3.1 in (8 cm)40 gal (150 L)70–82°F (21–28°C)Emerald catfish
Brochis splendens
3.1 in (8 cm) · 40 gal (150 L)
3.1 in (8 cm)40 gal (150 L)72–79°F (22–26°C)Robust cory
Brochis robusta
3.1 in (8 cm) · 40 gal (150 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)
2.8 in (7 cm)24 gal (90 L)72–79°F (22–26°C)Agassiz's cory
Brochis agassizii
2.8 in (7 cm) · 24 gal (90 L)
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)