Skunk cory
Brochis arcuata
Also known as Corydoras arcuatus, Arched cory, Skunk corydoras, Super Arcuatus Cory
FreshwaterFish
Care at a glance
- Temperature
- 72–79°F
- 22–26°C
- pH
- 6.0–7.5
- Adult size
- 2.2 in
- 5.5 cm
- Minimum tank
- 20 gal
- 75 L
- Temperament
- Peaceful
- Social behavior
- Shoaling
- Swim level
- Bottom
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Breeding
- Medium
- Rarity
- Common
- Family
- Callichthyidae
- Origin
- Upper Amazon basin in Brazil and Peru, including the Solimoes, Tefe and Ucayali drainages.
Overview
Keep skunk cories in groups of six or more over smooth sand at 22 to 26 C in soft, slightly acidic water. They are active daytime foragers that appreciate open swimming room and shaded cover. Offer sinking pellets, frozen bloodworm and other small sinking foods.
In the wild
The skunk cory lives in clear and blackwater tributaries of the upper Amazon over sand and leaf litter. The water is warm, soft and acidic. Groups move along the bottom in open areas near submerged wood and roots.
Good to know
A single black stripe arches from the snout, back through the eye and over the top of the body to the tail base, which gives the fish its common name. The 2024 revision moved it to the genus Brochis, where it is written Brochis arcuata. A longer snouted lookalike often sold as the false skunk cory is the separate species Corydoras narcissus.
Did you know
The true skunk cory has a short, rounded snout and its arched stripe runs through the eye, which tells it apart from the longer nosed false skunk cory.
Weekly picks
Tank mates
Skunk 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.
Blue-green lampeye
Procatopus aberrans
Freshwater2.2 in (5.5 cm) · 20 gal (75 L)72–79°F (22–26°C)
Rex halfbeak
Nomorhamphus rex
Freshwater2.2 in (5.5 cm) · 20 gal (75 L)72–79°F (22–26°C)
Cinnamon loach
Pangio pangia
Freshwater2.4 in (6 cm) · 20 gal (75 L)72–81°F (22–27°C)
Amazon molly
Poecilia formosa
Freshwater3.5 in (9 cm) · 20 gal (75 L)68–82°F (20–28°C)
Norman's lampeye
Poropanchax normani
Freshwater1.6 in (4 cm) · 20 gal (75 L)72–79°F (22–26°C)
Bristlenose pleco
Ancistrus sp.
Freshwater4.9 in (12.5 cm) · 20 gal (75 L)70–79°F (21–26°C)
Common questions
What size tank does a Skunk cory need?
A Skunk cory needs at least 20 gal (75 L). It spends most of its time in the bottom.
What temperature and pH does a Skunk cory need?
A Skunk cory is comfortable at 72–79°F (22–26°C) with a pH of 6.0–7.5.
How big does a Skunk cory get?
An adult Skunk cory reaches about 2.2 in (5.5 cm).
Does a Skunk cory need a group?
Yes. A Skunk cory is a shoaling species and should be kept in a group, not singly.
Related species
2.2 in (5.5 cm)16 gal (60 L)72–79°F (22–26°C)False network catfish
Brochis sodalis
2.2 in (5.5 cm) · 16 gal (60 L)
2.4 in (6 cm)20 gal (75 L)72–79°F (22–26°C)False blochi cory
Brochis delphax
2.4 in (6 cm) · 20 gal (75 L)
2.4 in (6 cm)20 gal (75 L)72–79°F (22–26°C)Gomez's cory
Brochis gomezi
2.4 in (6 cm) · 20 gal (75 L)
2.4 in (6 cm)20 gal (75 L)75–82°F (24–28°C)Icana cory
Brochis incolicana
2.4 in (6 cm) · 20 gal (75 L)
2.4 in (6 cm)20 gal (75 L)72–79°F (22–26°C)Miguelito cory
Brochis virginiae
2.4 in (6 cm) · 20 gal (75 L)
2.4 in (6 cm)20 gal (75 L)72–79°F (22–26°C)Reticulated cory
Brochis reticulata
2.4 in (6 cm) · 20 gal (75 L)