TankBud

Reticulated cory

Brochis reticulata

Also known as Corydoras reticulatus, Network cory

FreshwaterFish

Reticulated cory (Brochis reticulata)
Imperial Tropicals · Used with permission

Care at a glance

Temperature
72–79°F
22–26°C
pH
6.0–7.2
Adult size
2.4 in
6 cm
Minimum tank
20 gal
75 L
Temperament
Peaceful
Social behavior
Shoaling
Swim level
Bottom
Difficulty
Easy
Breeding
No record
Rarity
Common
Family
Callichthyidae
Origin
Lower Amazon River basin, Brazil (South America)

Overview

The reticulated cory is a peaceful bottom dweller that spends the day foraging across the sand. It is a good fish for a beginner.

Did you know

The barbels around the reticulated cory's mouth are packed with taste and touch sensors. They let the fish read the sand for food it cannot see, which is why a clean, soft bottom matters so much.

Caring for the reticulated cory

Keep reticulated cories in a group of at least six, and more if you have room. Singles or pairs get stressed and withdrawn. A tank of at least 20 gal (75 L) suits a group.

Give them soft, fine sand so they can sift mouthfuls of it without wearing down their barbels. Skip sharp gravel and undergravel filters. Plant the tank, and add driftwood and leaf litter if you want the tannin-stained look they appreciate.

They will not tolerate a dirty bottom, which erodes their barbels and invites infection, so vacuum the substrate often. Run the water warm and soft to moderately hard, at 72 to 79°F (22 to 26°C) and a pH of 6.0 to 7.2. Keep some flow and surface movement, since they like it well oxygenated.

Reticulated cories gulp air at the surface to breathe through the gut, so a clear path to the top matters. They are peaceful and make good community fish alongside small, gentle tank mates. Captive breeding is not documented for this species, though it likely follows the cooler water change trigger used for its relatives.

Good to know

The reticulated cory, Brochis reticulata, is a member of the armored catfish family Callichthyidae. It is named for the netlike pattern across its body.

In the wild

Reticulated cories come from the lower Amazon basin in Brazil. They work the bottom of warm, slow rivers and tributaries.

Weekly picks

Tank mates

The reticulated 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 reticulated cory need?

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

What temperature and pH does a reticulated cory need?

A reticulated cory is comfortable at 72–79°F (22–26°C) with a pH of 6.0–7.2.

How big does a reticulated cory get?

An adult reticulated cory reaches about 2.4 in (6 cm).

Does a reticulated cory need a group?

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

Related species