Leopard cory
Brochis leopardus
Also known as Corydoras leopardus, Leopard catfish, Long-nosed leopard 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
- Western Amazon basin in Brazil and Peru, including the rio Yavari.
Overview
Keep leopard cories in a group of six or more over soft sand at 22 to 26 C in soft, slightly acidic water. They are peaceful, active foragers that use open space at the front of the tank. Feed sinking pellets and small frozen foods such as bloodworm and daphnia.
In the wild
The leopard cory forages over sand in clear and slightly stained tributaries of the western Amazon. The water is warm, soft and gently acidic. Groups work the open bottom near submerged wood and leaf litter.
Good to know
Its pale body is covered with small dark leopard like spots and it has a noticeably long, pointed snout. That snout shape is the quickest way to separate it from the similar three line cory. The 2024 revision moved it to the genus Brochis as Brochis leopardus.
Did you know
The leopard cory looks almost identical to the three line cory but has a much longer, more pointed snout.
Weekly picks
Tank mates
Leopard 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.
Black molly
Poecilia sphenops
FreshwaterBrackish4.7 in (12 cm) · 24 gal (90 L)70–82°F (21–28°C)
Wrestling halfbeak
Dermogenys pusilla
FreshwaterBrackish2.8 in (7 cm) · 25 gal (95 L)75–82°F (24–28°C)
Apple snail
Pomacea canaliculata
Freshwater5.9 in (15 cm) · 21 gal (80 L)64–81°F (18–27°C)
Guntea loach
Lepidocephalichthys guntea
Freshwater4.7 in (12 cm) · 24 gal (90 L)64–82°F (18–28°C)
Sondhi danio
Devario sondhii
Freshwater3.1 in (8 cm) · 24 gal (90 L)68–79°F (20–26°C)
Blue-eyed livebearer
Priapella intermedia
Freshwater2.8 in (7 cm) · 24 gal (90 L)72–82°F (22–28°C)
Common questions
What size tank does a Leopard cory need?
A Leopard cory needs at least 24 gal (90 L). It spends most of its time in the bottom.
What temperature and pH does a Leopard cory need?
A Leopard cory is comfortable at 72–79°F (22–26°C) with a pH of 6.0–7.5.
How big does a Leopard cory get?
An adult Leopard cory reaches about 2.8 in (7 cm).
Does a Leopard cory need a group?
Yes. A Leopard 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)Agassiz's cory
Brochis agassizii
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)