Hog-nosed Cory

Geographic Origin and Biotope: Endemic member of the upper Amazon basin (Napo, Pastaza rivers) distributed between Ecuador and Peru. Inhabits shallow forest streams with gentle currents, equipped with mostly clear or moderately tannic waters.

Taxonomy and Morphology: Taxon initially classified in the Brochis genus (formerly Brochis multiradiatus) due to the gigantic number of rays of the dorsal fin (15-17 rays, instead of the canonical 7-8). It is a mighty Corydoras ("Hog-nosed"), stably touching 6.5 - 7 cm (2.5-2.8 inches).

Social Behavior: Inertia and extreme tameness: despite its considerable size, it moves clumsily in an almost calm manner. Imperative the need for a massive school (from 6 individuals up), which will often tend to hide in unison at the slightest movement outside the tank.

Coloration and Sexual Dimorphism: Iridescent green and gold metallic background on the body, protected by a dense reticulated pattern with fine spots on the snout and tail. The supreme peculiarity is the dorsal fin, similar to the majestic "crest" of a sailfish. The corpulence of females in this strain is imposing.

Aquarium Setup: They require wide open spaces and a non-negotiable bottom: very fine silica sand of high thickness. The tank, planted on the sides with Echinodorus or vallisneria, must include covered refuges (wide and flat woods) and very limited light on the surface.

Diet and Feeding: Equipped with a wide mouth as a tireless detritivore. Feeding them presents no challenges if foraged with heavy cleaner wafers and very generous pourings of frozen red or black bloodworms, brine shrimp, and even chopped earthworms.

Water Quality: Temperature 22-26°C (72-79°F). GH should stand at low or medium levels (2-12) to mimic South American rainwater. Fundamental to guarantee a tendentially neutral/acidic pH (6.0 - 7.2) and massive oxygenation to withstand the large organic loads they generate.

Compatibility and Tankmates: A gentle giant for river biotopes. No medium-small Amazonian species will bother it (dwarf Cichlids, thick schools of Tetras). Eclipse highly aggressive fish in the benthic zone (burrowing cichlids, very large plecostomus).

Aquarium Reproduction: Almost impossible and an exceptional event. Provides for the canonical hatching following "mating T-position" with massive cold thermal shocks and virtual rains (RO water). Parents strongly inclined to the destruction of their own offspring if not removed to a hatchery.

Risks and Diseases: Substrates such as gravel will cause total devastation of the "hog" snout, slowly killing the beast by consumption. They tolerate commercial drug therapies containing Copper Sulfate or Formaldehyde very badly.