Imitator cory
Brochis imitator
Also known as Corydoras imitator, Long-nosed adolfoi, Long-nosed false adolfoi
FreshwaterFish
Care at a glance
- Temperature
- 72–79°F
- 22–26°C
- pH
- 5.5–7.2
- Adult size
- 2.6 in
- 6.5 cm
- Minimum tank
- 21 gal
- 80 L
- Temperament
- Peaceful
- Social behavior
- Shoaling
- Swim level
- Bottom
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Breeding
- Medium
- Rarity
- Rare
- Family
- Callichthyidae
- Origin
- Upper Rio Negro basin in Brazil and southern Venezuela.
Overview
The Imitator cory is a peaceful shoaler for the bottom of a calm, soft water tank. It is best with a little experience.
Did you know
The long nosed Imitator cory copies the black cap and orange shoulder pattern of the short nosed adolfoi and duplicate cories. The match is so close that it shoals with the adolfoi cory in the same rivers.
Caring for the Imitator cory
Keep Imitator cories in a group of six or more, in a tank of at least 21 gal (80 L). Give them soft sand to forage over. A calm, shaded tank with tannin stained water suits them best.
They need soft, acidic water, at 72 to 79°F (22 to 26°C) and a pH of 5.5 to 7.2. Feed sinking pellets and small frozen foods that reach the bottom.
Imitator cories are peaceful and get along with other community fish. Breeding them is a moderate challenge.
Good to know
The Imitator cory belongs to the family Callichthyidae. The 2024 revision placed it in the genus Brochis, as Brochis imitator. It is also sold as the long-nosed false adolfoi.
In the wild
The Imitator cory comes from blackwater tributaries of the upper Rio Negro, in Brazil and southern Venezuela. The water there is very soft and acidic, and stained brown by tannins. It forages over sand among leaf litter and submerged wood.
Weekly picks
Tank mates
The Imitator 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.
Neocaridina shrimp
Neocaridina davidi
Freshwater1.6 in (4 cm) · 5 gal (19 L)59–84°F (15–29°C)
Guppy
Poecilia reticulata
FreshwaterBrackish2.4 in (6 cm) · 10 gal (38 L)64–82°F (18–28°C)
Neon tetra
Paracheirodon innesi
Freshwater1.5 in (3.8 cm) · 11 gal (40 L)70–77°F (21–25°C)
Apple snail
Pomacea canaliculata
Freshwater5.9 in (15 cm) · 21 gal (80 L)64–81°F (18–27°C)
Steel blue killifish
Fundulopanchax gardneri
Freshwater2.2 in (5.5 cm) · 21 gal (80 L)70–79°F (21–26°C)
Blue panchax
Aplocheilus panchax
Freshwater3.5 in (9 cm) · 20 gal (75 L)72–82°F (22–28°C)
Common questions
What size tank does an Imitator cory need?
An Imitator cory needs at least 21 gal (80 L). It spends most of its time in the bottom.
What temperature and pH does an Imitator cory need?
An Imitator cory is comfortable at 72–79°F (22–26°C) with a pH of 5.5–7.2.
What does an Imitator cory eat?
An Imitator cory eats sinking pellets and small frozen foods that reach the bottom.
How big does an Imitator cory get?
An adult Imitator cory reaches about 2.6 in (6.5 cm).
Does an Imitator cory need a group?
Yes. An Imitator cory is a shoaling species and should be kept in a group, not singly.
Related species
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)
2.6 in (6.5 cm)20 gal (75 L)73–81°F (23–27°C)Bethan's cory
Brochis bethanae
2.6 in (6.5 cm) · 20 gal (75 L)
2.6 in (6.5 cm)24 gal (90 L)75–82°F (24–28°C)Pretty cory
Brochis pulchra
2.6 in (6.5 cm) · 24 gal (90 L)
2.6 in (6.5 cm)20 gal (75 L)75–82°F (24–28°C)Seuss's cory
Brochis seussi
2.6 in (6.5 cm) · 20 gal (75 L)
2.6 in (6.5 cm)20 gal (75 L)70–81°F (21–27°C)Spotted cory
Brochis ambiacus
2.6 in (6.5 cm) · 20 gal (75 L)