Threestripe cory
Hoplisoma trilineatum
Also known as Corydoras trilineatus, leopard catfish, Reticulated Julii Cory
FreshwaterFish
Care at a glance
- Temperature
- 72–81°F
- 22–27°C
- pH
- 6.0–7.5
- Adult size
- 2.2 in
- 5.5 cm
- Minimum tank
- 16 gal
- 60 L
- Temperament
- Peaceful
- Social behavior
- Shoaling
- Swim level
- Bottom
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Breeding
- Egg layer · Medium
- Rarity
- Common
- Family
- Callichthyidae
- Origin
- Colombia, Peru, Brazil
Overview
The threestripe cory is a busy, peaceful cory that forms an active group on the bottom of a community tank. It is best with a little experience.
Did you know
The threestripe cory is often sold mixed up with the false julii cory, because their markings are so similar. The reliable tell is the head pattern. The threestripe shows connected, maze-like lines, while the false julii shows separate spots.
Caring for the threestripe cory
Keep threestripe cories in a group of six or more, in a tank of 16 gal (60 L) or larger. Give them a fine sand substrate so they can dig safely, plus driftwood, plants or leaf litter for shade.
Keep the water soft to neutral and warm, at 72 to 81°F (22 to 27°C) and a pH of 6.0 to 7.5. Feed sinking pellets, frozen foods and the occasional algae wafer. Do not count on them to clean up after other fish, because they need their own food.
Threestripe cories are peaceful and safe with other community fish. They lay eggs and spawn in the typical cory fashion, and breeding them takes moderate effort.
Good to know
The threestripe cory is an armored catfish in the family Callichthyidae. Like its relatives, it has bony plates and stiff fin spines, and a stripe runs down its side.
In the wild
The threestripe cory comes from the upper Amazon in Colombia, Peru and Brazil. It lives over sand and fine sediment in slow, warm tributaries, where it forages by sifting mouthfuls of sand.
Weekly picks
Tank mates
The threestripe 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)
White spotted rabbit snail
Tylomelania towutica
Freshwater4.3 in (11 cm) · 16 gal (60 L)75–84°F (24–29°C)
Threadfin rainbowfish
Iriatherina werneri
Freshwater1.6 in (4 cm) · 13 gal (50 L)72–86°F (22–30°C)
Spotted splash tetra
Copella nattereri
Freshwater2 in (5 cm) · 16 gal (60 L)75–82°F (24–28°C)
Common questions
What size tank does a threestripe cory need?
A threestripe cory needs at least 16 gal (60 L). It spends most of its time in the bottom.
What temperature and pH does a threestripe cory need?
A threestripe cory is comfortable at 72–81°F (22–27°C) with a pH of 6.0–7.5.
What does a threestripe cory eat?
A threestripe cory eats sinking pellets, frozen foods and the occasional algae wafer. It needs its own food rather than leftovers from other fish.
How big does a threestripe cory get?
An adult threestripe cory reaches about 2.2 in (5.5 cm).
Does a threestripe cory need a group?
Yes. A threestripe cory is a shoaling species and should be kept in a group, not singly.
How does a threestripe cory breed?
The threestripe cory lays eggs and spawns in the typical cory fashion. Breeding it takes moderate effort.
Related species
2.2 in (5.5 cm)16 gal (60 L)72–79°F (22–26°C)Bluespotted cory
Hoplisoma melanistium
2.2 in (5.5 cm) · 16 gal (60 L)
2.2 in (5.5 cm)16 gal (60 L)73–81°F (23–27°C)Boeseman's cory
Hoplisoma boesemani
2.2 in (5.5 cm) · 16 gal (60 L)
2.2 in (5.5 cm)20 gal (75 L)72–79°F (22–26°C)Burgess's cory
Hoplisoma burgessi
2.2 in (5.5 cm) · 20 gal (75 L)
2.2 in (5.5 cm)20 gal (75 L)68–79°F (20–26°C)Julii cory
Hoplisoma julii
2.2 in (5.5 cm) · 20 gal (75 L)
2.2 in (5.5 cm)20 gal (75 L)73–79°F (23–26°C)Oiapoque cory
Hoplisoma oiapoquense
2.2 in (5.5 cm) · 20 gal (75 L)
2.2 in (5.5 cm)16 gal (60 L)73–81°F (23–27°C)Sipaliwini cory
Hoplisoma sipaliwini
2.2 in (5.5 cm) · 16 gal (60 L)