False Blochi Cory
Brochis delphax
This peculiar Colombian species features a robust build adorned with striking silvery plates and a prominent black dorsal fin. It needs shaded areas and a sandy bottom to thrive.
Wassertemperatur
22 - 26 °C
pH-Wert
6 - 7.2
Wassertyp
Süßwasser
Tankfüllstand
Unten
Erwachsenengröße
5,5 cm
Mindesttankvolumen
>= 100 L
Mindestgruppe
>= 6
GH
2 - 12 dGH
KH
2 - 10 dKH
TDS
50 - 280 ppm
Leitfähigkeit
78 - 438 uS/cm
Artbeschreibung
Geographical Origin and Habitat: Endemic to the Orinoco River basin and its tributaries (Inírida, Guaviare rivers) in Colombia. Inhabits slow-moving forest streams, oxbows, and flooded zones characterized by dense root formations, clear or amber water (blackwater), and bottoms covered with thick leaf litter.
Taxonomy and Morphology: Belongs to the Callichthyidae family. Medium-sized Corydoras (up to 5.5 cm / 2.2 inches), characterized by a short, round snout, and a body slightly more compressed and taller than the genus average. Features a tall and slightly pointed dorsal fin in adult males.
Social Behavior: Extremely peaceful, timid, and strongly gregarious. Keeping in large schools (at least 6-8 specimens) is mandatory to mitigate chronic shyness. During the day, it prefers the shelter of shaded areas, intensifying its foraging activity at dusk.
Coloration and Sexual Dimorphism: "Spotted" livery: cream-silver body dotted with a myriad of small dark spots. Has an obvious black mask over the eyes and a black saddle at the base of the dorsal fin (a character that differentiates it from C. melanistius). Females appear visibly stockier and gravid from above.
Pflege, Zucht und Mitbewohner
Aquarium Setup: Imperatively sandy substrate to protect the sensory barbels. Set up large shaded areas using branched driftwood and shelters created with broad-leaved plants (Echinodorus). Efficient filtration but with moderate, non-turbulent water flow.
Diet and Feeding: Benthic omnivore. The diet must be varied and sinking: wafers for bottom fish, abundantly enriched with frozen food (bloodworms, tubifex, brine shrimp). Collecting only the "leftovers" of other fish will quickly lead the specimen to wasting.
Water Quality: Requires soft and weakly acidic waters, typical of Amazonian biotopes. Temperature: 22-26°C (72-79°F). pH 6.0-7.2. Hardness GH 2-12. Highly sensitive to the accumulation of nitrates and ammoniacal compounds derived from untended anoxic substrates.
Compatibility and Cohabitation: Ideal member for peaceful South American biotope community aquariums. Excellent companion for Tetras (Neons, Cardinals), herbivorous Loricariids, and small Cichlids (e.g. Apistogramma) provided the latter are not spawning. Absolutely avoid aggressive loaches or highly active fish.
Aquarium Breeding: Follows the classic Corydoras pattern: triggered by substantial water changes with cold RO water simulating the onset of rains. Lays a few dozen adhesive eggs on the glass or vegetation, frequently preying on its own clutch if not removed.
Risks and Diseases: The erosion of the delicate barbels caused by sharp gravel or bottom pollution quickly leads to death by starvation or systemic infections. Does not tolerate Copper-based (Cu) curative treatments or the addition of sodium chloride salt.
Geografische Herkunft und Verbreitung
Endemic to the Orinoco River basin and its tributaries (Inírida, Guaviare rivers) in Colombia. Inhabits slow-moving forest streams, oxbows, and flooded zones characterized by dense root formations, clear or amber water (blackwater), and bottoms covered with thick leaf litter.
Ursprung
Tropische Ozeane und RiffeAmazonas, Orinoco und Guayana
Fischprofil
- Temperament
- Semi-aggressive
- The temperament of Brochis delphax can only be described as completely peaceful and highly gregarious. They are a schooling fish by nature and absolutely must be kept in groups of at least six individuals of their own kind to feel secure. When kept in insufficient numbers, they will become extremely stressed, reclusive, and susceptible to disease. In a proper school, they are active, inquisitive, and highly entertaining to watch as they scurry around the bottom together like a busy little cleaning crew. They pose absolutely no threat to any other inhabitants in the aquarium.
- Diät
- Omnivore
- In the wild, Brochis delphax is a micro-predator and scavenger that sifts through the substrate for small insects, worms, and crustaceans. In the aquarium, they readily accept a wide variety of high-quality sinking foods, including pellets, wafers, and granules designed for bottom feeders. To ensure optimal health and coloration, their diet should be supplemented with live or frozen foods such as bloodworms, daphnia, and brine shrimp. They are not true algae eaters, so feeding them solely algae wafers is a common mistake that can lead to malnutrition. A varied diet will keep their immune system strong and encourage natural foraging behaviors.
- Lebenserwartung
- 5-8 years
- Erwachsenengröße
- 5.5 cm
- Geschlechterverhältnis
- School
- When keeping Brochis delphax, the exact sex ratio is not strictly critical for their day-to-day well-being, as they do not exhibit aggression toward each other. However, if the goal is to breed them, a ratio of two or three males for every female is strongly recommended. This multiple-male approach increases the chances of successful fertilization during the spawning process. Females are typically larger and noticeably broader when viewed from above, especially when conditioned with high-quality foods. Maintaining a healthy, mixed-gender school allows for the observation of their fascinating natural social dynamics.
- Fütterungsfrequenz
- Twice daily
- It is generally recommended to feed Brochis delphax small amounts of food once or twice a day. The key is to provide only what the fish can completely consume within a few minutes to prevent uneaten food from rotting in the substrate. Because they are bottom feeders, you must ensure that enough food reaches the bottom before faster mid-water fish consume it all. If feeding twice a day, offering a staple sinking pellet in the morning and a frozen treat in the evening works exceptionally well. Observing their bellies can help you gauge if they are getting enough food; they should look gently rounded but not bloated.
- Bioload
- Low
- The bioload of Brochis delphax is relatively low to moderate, making them an excellent choice for a community aquarium. They do not produce excessive amounts of waste compared to larger or more predatory fish. However, because they are a schooling species and should be kept in groups, the cumulative bioload of the school must be accounted for when sizing the filtration system. Regular water changes and a properly cycled aquarium are still essential to maintain the high water quality they require. It is important to avoid overfeeding, as uneaten food will negatively impact the water parameters.
- Fluss
- Stagnant
- Brochis delphax appreciates a moderate amount of water flow in the aquarium, simulating the gentle currents of their native South American streams. The flow should be strong enough to keep the water well-oxygenated and prevent detritus from settling on the bottom, but not so strong that the fish struggle to swim or rest. Using a standard hang-on-back or canister filter usually provides the perfect amount of water movement. They will often be seen actively swimming against the current for exercise, but they also need quiet resting areas among plants or hardscape. Providing a balance of moving water and still zones is the best approach to their habitat.
- Sprungrisiko
- Yes
- The risk of Brochis delphax jumping out of the aquarium is generally very low, as they spend the vast majority of their time navigating the bottom of the tank. However, like all Corydoras, they possess an adaptation that allows them to dart to the surface to gulp atmospheric air. During these rapid ascents, an accidental jump or splash can occasionally happen if the fish misjudges the surface. For this reason, a secure lid or cover glass is highly recommended to prevent any tragic accidents. A lid also helps maintain a humid layer of air above the water, which makes breathing easier for them.
- Reproduktion
- Oviparous
- Breeding Brochis delphax in captivity is entirely possible and often highly rewarding for dedicated aquarists. They are egg scatterers, typically laying their adhesive eggs on broad-leaved plants, aquarium glass, or smooth stones after an elaborate courtship dance. To trigger spawning, aquarists often perform a large, cool water change to simulate the onset of the rainy season in the Amazon basin. Once the eggs are laid, the parents provide no parental care and may even consume their own eggs if not removed. For the best survival rate, the eggs should be transferred to a separate rearing tank and the fry fed infusoria or freshly hatched brine shrimp.
- Kompatibilität & Tankkameraden
- Peaceful
- Brochis delphax is incredibly peaceful and makes a fantastic addition to most community tanks. They get along well with other peaceful, similarly sized fish such as tetras, rasboras, and dwarf cichlids. It is crucial to avoid keeping them with large, aggressive, or predatory species that might view them as food or nip at their fins. They are also completely safe to keep with most ornamental snails and adult dwarf shrimp, although baby shrimp might occasionally be eaten. Their bottom-dwelling nature means they rarely compete for space with mid- or top-dwelling tank mates.
- Tankfüllstand
- Bottom
- As classic bottom-dwellers, Brochis delphax will spend nearly all of their time foraging and resting on the substrate. They use their sensitive barbels to meticulously search the sand or fine gravel for any edible morsels that have sunk to the bottom. While they are primarily benthic, it is completely normal to see them periodically make lightning-fast dashes to the water's surface to take a gulp of air. Aside from these quick trips to the top, they will almost never be found swimming in the middle or upper levels of the water column. Providing a large footprint with plenty of open bottom space is far more important than tank height.
Wissenschaftliche Modelle & Parameter
FishBase
Zugang zu den offiziellen wissenschaftlichen Daten der Art
FishBase v25.04Daten synchronisiert am: 15.06.2026
- Trophäenniveau
- 2,9 ± 0,3 se
- Belastbarkeit
- Hoch (weniger als 15 Monate)
- Phylogenetische Einzigartigkeit (PD50)
- 0.5
- Bayessche Längen-Gewichts-Beziehung
- a = 0.00741, b = 3.14
- AnfälligkeitGeringe Anfälligkeit (10 / 100)
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