Robust cory
Brochis robusta
Also known as Corydoras robustus, Robust catfish
FreshwaterFish
Care at a glance
- Temperature
- 72–79°F
- 22–26°C
- pH
- 6.0–7.8
- Adult size
- 3.1 in
- 8 cm
- Minimum tank
- 40 gal
- 150 L
- Temperament
- Peaceful
- Social behavior
- Shoaling
- Swim level
- Bottom
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Breeding
- Hard
- Rarity
- Rare
- Family
- Callichthyidae
- Origin
- Middle Amazon in Brazil, including the Rio Ipixuna in the Rio Purus basin.
Overview
The robust cory is a peaceful shoaler for the bottom of a community tank. It needs a little more experience than the easiest cories.
Did you know
The robust cory is one of the largest cory-type catfish in the hobby. Its size and long, pointed snout set it apart from the many smaller spotted cories.
Caring for the robust cory
Keep robust cories in a group of six or more, in a roomy tank of at least 40 gal (150 L). Give them soft sand and open floor space to forage.
Keep the water soft to neutral, at 72 to 79°F (22 to 26°C) and a pH of 6.0 to 7.8. Feed sinking pellets and larger frozen foods, such as bloodworm.
Robust cories are peaceful despite their size and safe with other community fish. Breeding them is hard.
Good to know
The robust cory is covered in small black spots and has a mostly black dorsal fin. The 2024 revision moved it to the resurrected genus Brochis, as Brochis robusta, in the family Callichthyidae.
In the wild
The robust cory lives in soft, slightly acidic tributaries of the middle Amazon in Brazil. Its range includes the Rio Ipixuna in the Rio Purus basin. It forages over sand and leaf litter in slow, shaded stretches.
Weekly picks
Tank mates
The robust 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)
Forest halfbeak
Hemirhamphodon pogonognathus
Freshwater3.5 in (9 cm) · 34 gal (130 L)75–82°F (24–28°C)
Congo tetra
Phenacogrammus interruptus
Freshwater3.1 in (8 cm) · 24 gal (90 L)73–82°F (23–28°C)
Hoplo catfish
Hoplosternum littorale
Freshwater7.9 in (20 cm) · 40 gal (150 L)72–81°F (22–27°C)
Common questions
What size tank does a robust cory need?
A robust cory needs at least 40 gal (150 L). It spends most of its time in the bottom.
What temperature and pH does a robust cory need?
A robust cory is comfortable at 72–79°F (22–26°C) with a pH of 6.0–7.8.
What does a robust cory eat?
A robust cory eats sinking pellets and larger frozen foods, such as bloodworm.
How big does a robust cory get?
An adult robust cory reaches about 3.1 in (8 cm).
Does a robust cory need a group?
Yes. A robust cory is a shoaling species and should be kept in a group, not singly.
Related species
3.1 in (8 cm)40 gal (150 L)70–82°F (21–28°C)Emerald catfish
Brochis splendens
3.1 in (8 cm) · 40 gal (150 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)
3.5 in (9 cm)40 gal (150 L)70–79°F (21–26°C)Giant brochis
Brochis britskii
3.5 in (9 cm) · 40 gal (150 L)
3.5 in (9 cm)40 gal (150 L)70–79°F (21–26°C)Hognosed brochis
Brochis multiradiatus
3.5 in (9 cm) · 40 gal (150 L)
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)24 gal (90 L)72–79°F (22–26°C)Leopard cory
Brochis leopardus
2.8 in (7 cm) · 24 gal (90 L)