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
The pretty cory is a peaceful blackwater cory for the bottom of a warm community tank. It is a step up from the easiest cories.
Did you know
The pretty cory is found only in the Rio Purus system, which keeps it scarce in the hobby.
Caring for the pretty cory
Keep pretty cories in a group of six or more, in a tank of at least 24 gal (90 L). Give them soft sand in a shaded, tannin-stained tank.
They like warm, soft, acidic water, at 75 to 82°F (24 to 28°C) and a pH of 6.0 to 7.5. Feed sinking pellets and small frozen foods that reach the bottom.
Pretty cories are peaceful, so keep them with calm tank mates. Breeding males grow a very tall, sail-like dorsal fin with a pale, cream-white front ray. They are hard to breed.
Good to know
The pretty cory's scientific name means beautiful. The 2024 revision placed it in the genus Brochis, as Brochis pulchra. It is one of the larger, more sought-after blackwater cories.
In the wild
The pretty cory comes from the Rio Purus and its tributaries in Brazil, where it lives in warm, soft, tannin-stained blackwater. It forages over sand among leaf litter and roots.
Weekly picks
Tank mates
The 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.
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)
Congo tetra
Phenacogrammus interruptus
Freshwater3.1 in (8 cm) · 24 gal (90 L)73–82°F (23–28°C)Siamese flying barb
Laubuka siamensis
Freshwater2.6 in (6.5 cm) · 24 gal (90 L)72–81°F (22–27°C)
Peppered cory
Hoplisoma paleatum
Freshwater2.8 in (7 cm) · 21 gal (80 L)72–79°F (22–26°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.
What does a pretty cory eat?
A pretty cory eats sinking pellets and small frozen foods that reach the bottom.
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.
How can you tell a male pretty cory from a female?
Males in breeding condition grow a very tall, sail-like dorsal fin with a pale, cream-white front ray.
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)