TankBud

Mosaic cory

Brochis haraldschultzi

Also known as Corydoras haraldschultzi, Reticulated cory

FreshwaterFish

Mosaic cory (Brochis haraldschultzi)
Mummymonkey at English Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 3.0

Care at a glance

Temperature
75–82°F
24–28°C
pH
6.0–7.5
Adult size
2.8 in
7 cm
Minimum tank
20 gal
75 L
Temperament
Peaceful
Social behavior
Shoaling
Swim level
Bottom
Difficulty
Medium
Breeding
Egg depositor · Easy
Rarity
Rare
Family
Callichthyidae
Origin
Bolivia, Brazil

Overview

The mosaic cory is a good sized, peaceful shoaler for a warm community tank. It needs a little more care than the easiest fish.

Did you know

The mosaic cory is the mirror image of the popular Sterba's cory. It shows dark spots on a light head, while Sterba's cory shows light spots on a dark head. A longer, straighter snout also helps tell the mosaic cory apart.

Caring for the mosaic cory

Mosaic cories need a group of at least six and a tank of 20 gal (75 L) or larger. Give them a soft sand bed with some open foraging space, plus driftwood and shaded planting.

They prefer warmth, at 75 to 82°F (24 to 28°C), with a pH of 6.0 to 7.5. Keep the water clean and well filtered, with steady changes to show off their fine markings.

Feed sinking pellets, frozen bloodworm and daphnia, and a little wafer. They spend the day sifting sand with their barbels, so make sure the food reaches the bottom.

Mosaic cories are peaceful and mix well with calm community fish that enjoy warm water. They are one of the more willing spawners among the larger cories. The female carries the adhesive eggs briefly between her pelvic fins, then attaches them to firm surfaces.

Good to know

The mosaic cory is an armored catfish of the family Callichthyidae, listed as Brochis haraldschultzi and also known as Corydoras haraldschultzi. It wears a dense mosaic of dark spots and lines over a pale head and body. It is also sold as the reticulated cory.

In the wild

The mosaic cory comes from the upper Amazon and the Rio Guapore, across Bolivia and Brazil. It lives over sand in warm, soft, gently flowing water.

Weekly picks

Tank mates

The mosaic 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.

Check the full mix in the stocking calculator

Common questions

What size tank does a mosaic cory need?

A mosaic cory needs at least 20 gal (75 L). It spends most of its time in the bottom.

What temperature and pH does a mosaic cory need?

A mosaic cory is comfortable at 75–82°F (24–28°C) with a pH of 6.0–7.5.

What does a mosaic cory eat?

A mosaic cory eats sinking pellets, frozen bloodworm and daphnia, and a little wafer. Make sure the food reaches the bottom.

How big does a mosaic cory get?

An adult mosaic cory reaches about 2.8 in (7 cm).

Does a mosaic cory need a group?

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

How does a mosaic cory breed?

Mosaic cories are one of the more willing spawners among the larger cories. The female carries the adhesive eggs briefly between her pelvic fins, then attaches them to firm surfaces.

Related species