Ornate Corydoras
Brochis ornatus
Originating from the clear waters of the Tapajos, it displays a sharp contrast between a pearlescent silvery body and two or three intense dark bands along the back and head.
Wassertemperatur
22 - 26 °C
pH-Wert
6 - 7.2
Wassertyp
Süßwasser
Tankfüllstand
Unten
Erwachsenengröße
5,5 cm
Mindesttankvolumen
>= 80 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 Tapajós River basin (Brazil). Mainly inhabits clear forest stretches where weak streams flow among huge fallen woody accumulations, intricate root systems, and large carpets of leaves.
Taxonomy and Morphology: Falling into the Callichthyidae family. Moderate peak size (5.5 cm / 2.2 inches). Rounded skull profile (short-snouted), stocky and compact body. One of the most aesthetically sought-after Corydoras species due to its ornamental pattern.
Social Behavior: Markedly reserved if without the school. Requires housing in large numbers (minimum 6-8); by doing so it will explore the bottom without hesitation even during daytime hours. Subjected to a small number or threats, it remains inactive and gets depressed to death.
Coloration and Sexual Dimorphism: "Ornate" livery: silvery/pinkish background decorated with a superb checkerboard of parallel black bands, combined with a powerful black facial mask and three distinct horizontal parallel black lines on the flanks. Very round females, almost stocky; shorter and more elegant males.
Pflege, Zucht und Mitbewohner
Aquarium Setup: Does not negotiate the very fine sand to not erode its whiskers. Create a layout dominated by "red moor" or manila wood that offers shelter from above. Maintain soft lighting by covering the surface with natural floaters.
Diet and Feeding: Omnivorous bottom hunter. Feeding it is easy but crucial for coloration patterns. Administer excellent quality tablets alternating almost daily with frozen insects/mosquito larvae, Brine shrimp, and white worms dropped onto the substrate.
Water Quality: Extremely sensitive to ammonia and nitrites, requires mature tanks. Suitable temperature: 22-26°C (72-79°F). Low hardness (GH 2-12) and a neutral-acidic pH (6.0 - 7.2). Important superficial but constant siphonings during water changes.
Compatibility and Cohabitation: Peaceful South American community species (e.g. Cardinals, Rummy nose, dwarf Corydoras, phytophagous Loricariids). Strictly forbidden to pair it with any bottom predatory Cichlid, impetuous Loricariids or large Eartheaters that would cause panic exhaustion.
Aquarium Breeding: Often obtainable by inducing strong changes with pure fresh RO water and fatty diets. The "T" mating produces decidedly resistant and viscous eggs anchored to anubias or glass. Remove the breeding colony once the eggs are laid.
Risks and Diseases: Critical vulnerability of the snout that suffers certain mutilation and putrefaction on rough gravel. Any medicine containing Malachite Green, Formalin, or Copper must be used below the recommended doses.
Geografische Herkunft und Verbreitung
Endemic to the Tapajós River basin (Brazil). Mainly inhabits clear forest stretches where weak streams flow among huge fallen woody accumulations, intricate root systems, and large carpets of leaves.
Ursprung
Extra-Amazonas-Südamerika
Fischprofil
- Temperament
- Semi-aggressive
- These catfish are incredibly docile, peaceful, and non-aggressive, making Brochis ornatus perfect community tank residents. They are somewhat shy by nature and heavily rely on the presence of a school to feel secure and display their natural behaviors. Providing plenty of hiding spots such as caves, driftwood, and dense vegetation will make them feel more comfortable. They never bother other fish and often completely ignore species occupying the middle and upper levels of the tank.
- Diät
- Omnivore
- Brochis ornatus is an omnivorous bottom feeder that constantly scavenges for food in the substrate. Their diet should be primarily composed of high-quality sinking pellets or wafers specifically formulated for bottom dwellers. To ensure optimal health and coloration, supplement their dry food with live or frozen foods such as bloodworms, daphnia, and brine shrimp. They will also eat uneaten food that falls from the surface, though they should not be treated merely as a clean-up crew.
- Lebenserwartung
- 5-6 years
- Erwachsenengröße
- 5.5 cm
- Geschlechterverhältnis
- School
- While sexing them can be challenging, a ratio of two or three males per female is generally recommended for breeding Brochis ornatus. Females are noticeably rounder and broader, especially when viewed from above, and tend to grow slightly larger. Males appear more slender and streamlined in comparison. Keeping them in a mixed-sex school naturally accommodates these ratios without requiring precise selection by the aquarist.
- Fütterungsfrequenz
- Twice daily
- These active scavengers should be fed one to two times daily to ensure they receive adequate nutrition. It is important to offer Brochis ornatus only as much food as they can consume within a few minutes to prevent water quality issues. Since they are somewhat nocturnal by nature, feeding them once right before the aquarium lights turn off can be very beneficial. Monitoring their feeding is essential, especially in community tanks where faster mid-water fish might outcompete them for food.
- Bioload
- Low
- Brochis ornatus has a relatively small bioload compared to larger aquarium fish. Due to their compact size, they produce a manageable amount of waste that standard filtration can easily process. However, because they must be kept in groups of at least six, the cumulative bioload should be considered when stocking. Regular water changes and good mechanical filtration are still necessary to keep the substrate clean where they dwell.
- Fluss
- Stagnant
- In the wild, Brochis ornatus typically inhabits slow to moderately flowing streams and tributaries. They appreciate some gentle water movement in the aquarium, which helps keep the water well-oxygenated. However, excessive current or strong powerheads should be avoided as it can exhaust them over time. A standard sponge filter or a hang-on-back filter with baffled flow usually provides the ideal water dynamics for this species.
- Sprungrisiko
- Yes
- The jump risk for Brochis ornatus is generally considered to be quite low. They are obligate bottom dwellers that spend the vast majority of their time sifting through the substrate. Occasionally, they will make quick darts to the surface to gulp atmospheric air, which is a completely normal behavior for this genus. Despite the low risk, it is still recommended to keep a well-fitting lid on the aquarium to prevent any accidental escapes during these upward dashes.
- Reproduktion
- Oviparous
- Breeding Brochis ornatus in captivity is achievable but requires specific conditions to trigger spawning. A common trigger involves performing a large, slightly cooler water change to simulate the onset of the rainy season in their natural habitat. Females will lay adhesive eggs on broad-leaved plants, aquarium glass, or other flat surfaces. Once spawning is complete, the adult fish should be removed or the eggs transferred, as they may exhibit egg-eating behavior.
- Kompatibilität & Tankkameraden
- Peaceful
- This species is highly peaceful and makes an excellent addition to community aquariums. Brochis ornatus gets along perfectly with small tetras, rasboras, dwarf cichlids, and peaceful livebearers. It is crucial to avoid housing them with large, aggressive, or predatory fish that could bully them or attempt to eat them. As a schooling fish, they find safety and comfort in numbers of their own kind or similar Corydoras species.
- Tankfüllstand
- Bottom
- As classic bottom dwellers, Brochis ornatus occupies the lowest levels of the aquarium. They spend their days tirelessly exploring the substrate in search of morsels of food using their sensitive barbels. It is absolutely essential to provide a soft, sandy substrate to prevent damage to their delicate sensory barbels. Although they mostly remain at the bottom, they will occasionally dart to the water surface to swallow a bubble of air for intestinal respiration.
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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