Pretty cory
Brochis pulchra
Also known as Corydoras pulcher, Pulcher cory
FreshwaterFish
Care at a glance
- Temperature
- 75–82°F
- 24–28°C
- pH
- 6.0–7.5
- Adult size
- 2.6 in
- 6.5 cm
- Minimum tank
- 24 gal
- 90 L
- Temperament
- Peaceful
- Social behavior
- Shoaling
- Swim level
- Bottom
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Breeding
- Hard
- Rarity
- Rare
- Family
- Callichthyidae
- Origin
- Rio Purus and its tributaries in Brazil.
Overview
Keep pretty cories in a group of six or more over soft sand in warm, soft, acidic water around 24 to 28 C. They do best in a shaded, tannin stained tank with calm tankmates. Feed sinking pellets and small frozen foods that reach the bottom.
In the wild
The pretty cory comes from the Rio Purus, where it lives in warm, soft, tannin stained blackwater. It forages over sand among leaf litter and roots. The species is found only in this river system, which keeps it scarce in the hobby.
Good to know
The scientific name means beautiful, and breeding males grow a very tall, sail like dorsal fin with a pale cream front ray. The 2024 revision placed the species in the genus Brochis as Brochis pulchra. It is one of the larger, more sought after blackwater cories.
Did you know
Breeding males raise a striking sail like dorsal fin tipped with a cream white front ray.
Weekly picks
Tank mates
Pretty 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)
Striped flying barb
Esomus metallicus
Freshwater3 in (7.5 cm) · 24 gal (90 L)72–79°F (22–26°C)
Peru black cory
Corydoras semiaquilus
Freshwater2.6 in (6.5 cm) · 24 gal (90 L)72–79°F (22–26°C)
Wapoga rainbowfish
Melanotaenia rubrivittata
Freshwater2.2 in (5.6 cm) · 24 gal (90 L)75–84°F (24–29°C)
Wrestling halfbeak
Dermogenys pusilla
FreshwaterBrackish2.8 in (7 cm) · 25 gal (95 L)75–82°F (24–28°C)
Koh Chang loach
Schistura kohchangensis
Freshwater3.5 in (9 cm) · 24 gal (90 L)72–81°F (22–27°C)
Common questions
What size tank does a Pretty cory need?
A Pretty cory needs at least 24 gal (90 L). It spends most of its time in the bottom.
What temperature and pH does a Pretty cory need?
A Pretty cory is comfortable at 75–82°F (24–28°C) with a pH of 6.0–7.5.
How big does a Pretty cory get?
An adult Pretty cory reaches about 2.6 in (6.5 cm).
Does a Pretty cory need a group?
Yes. A Pretty 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)21 gal (80 L)72–79°F (22–26°C)Imitator cory
Brochis imitator
2.6 in (6.5 cm) · 21 gal (80 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)