Garbe's Corydoras
Brochis garbei
Hailing from the clear waters of eastern Brazil, this squat Corydoras displays an irregular metallic dark spot network. It relies on a very fine sand substrate to forage safely.
Température de l’eau
22 - 26 °C
Valeur du pH
6 - 7.2
Type d'eau
Eau douce
Niveau dans le bac
Fond
Taille adulte
4 cm
Volume minimal du bac
>= 80 L
Groupe minimal
>= 6
GH
2 - 12 dGH
KH
3 - 10 dKH
TDS
60 - 280 ppm
Conductivité
94 - 438 uS/cm
Description de l'espèce
Geographical Origin and Habitat: Species originating from the São Francisco River and Rio Itapicuru basins in northeastern Brazil. Typical of slow-flowing water zones, with muddy/sandy bottoms and dense riparian aquatic vegetation (habitats often subject to seasonal drought).
Taxonomy and Morphology: Representative of the Callichthyidae family. Particularly small-sized Corydoras, between 3.5 and 4 cm (1.4-1.6 inches) maximum. Its compact morphology and rounded snout place it in the stockier groups, similar to C. paleatus but on a smaller scale.
Social Behavior: Highly social and hardworking. Forms a peaceful bottom "platoon" that must categorically be kept in schools of at least 6-8 individuals. In small groups, it tends to isolate itself behind decorations, refusing food.
Coloration and Sexual Dimorphism: Marbled/leopard pattern on a silvery background, with randomly arranged brown spots on the flanks and distinct speckling on the caudal fin. Dimorphism is found primarily in the ventral conformation: slender males, stocky and round females.
Soins, reproduction et cohabitation
Aquarium Setup: Necessary to install a mature tank with a strict bottom of very fine edgeless sand. Bogwood, alder cones, and roots will create the visual tangle necessary for their well-being. Gentle filtration and light shielded by floaters.
Diet and Feeding: Insatiable omnivorous detritivore. The small mouth requires small-sized tablets or sinking protein micro-granules. Thrice-weekly administration of live or frozen food is indispensable: baby brine shrimp, grindal worms, and daphnia.
Water Quality: Highly sensitive to bacterial pathologies from a dirty bottom. Ideal temperature 22-26°C (72-79°F). Medium-low hardness (GH 2-12). The pH must be around 6.0 and 7.2. Rigorous partial water changes with superficial siphoning are required.
Compatibility and Cohabitation: Exceptional tenant for peaceful South American biotopes. Shares the tank in harmony with Micro-Rasboras, dwarf Tetras, and quiet Loricariids (Otocinclus). Never pair them with impetuous cichlids or large voracious grazers.
Aquarium Breeding: Of fragmentary documentation due to commercial rarity, but reflects the classic dictates: thermal drop with RO water, intense oxygenation, and abundant live food for conditioning. Lays isolated eggs or small clusters on leaves and glass.
Risks and Diseases: Sharp gravels amputate its barbels, condemning it to starvation and lethal septicemias. Suffers acutely, like all Callichthyidae, from any curatives based on Malachite Green, Copper, or pure Sodium Chloride in solution.
Origine et répartition géographiques
Species originating from the São Francisco River and Rio Itapicuru basins in northeastern Brazil. Typical of slow-flowing water zones, with muddy/sandy bottoms and dense riparian aquatic vegetation (habitats often subject to seasonal drought).
Origine
Océans tropicaux et récifsAmérique du Sud hors Amazonie
Profil de poisson
- Tempérament
- Semi-aggressive
- The temperament of Brochis garbei is incredibly peaceful, sociable, and somewhat shy when kept individually. They are an obligate schooling fish that absolutely requires the company of their own kind to feel secure and behave naturally. When kept in groups of at least six, they become active and highly entertaining as they constantly interact with one another. If kept alone or in inadequate numbers, they will likely become stressed, reclusive, and more susceptible to disease. They show zero aggression towards other tank inhabitants and are a model citizen for any peaceful community aquarium.
- Régime alimentaire
- Omnivore
- In the wild, Brochis garbei is a micro-predator and scavenger, feeding on tiny worms, crustaceans, and plant matter. In the home aquarium, they readily accept a wide variety of sinking foods such as high-quality pellets, wafers, and granules. It is essential to supplement their diet with live or frozen foods like bloodworms, Daphnia, and brine shrimp to ensure optimal health and coloration. Because they are bottom feeders, you must ensure that enough food reaches the substrate before being consumed by mid-water fish. A varied diet prevents nutritional deficiencies and promotes a robust immune system.
- Espérance de vie
- 5-10 years
- Taille adulte
- 4 cm
- Ratio des sexes
- Group
- For Brochis garbei, maintaining a specific strict sex ratio is not strictly necessary for general community keeping, as they do not exhibit aggressive territorial behavior towards each other. However, if breeding is the primary goal, a ratio of two or three males for every single female is strongly recommended. This higher male-to-female ratio encourages competitive courtship and generally results in a higher fertilization rate for the eggs. In a standard display tank, simply ensuring they are in a suitably sized group of six or more individuals is more important than the exact gender makeup. Females are typically noticeably rounder and broader when viewed from above, especially when full of eggs.
- Fréquence d'alimentation
- Twice daily
- It is highly recommended to feed Brochis garbei small portions one to two times a day. They have relatively small stomachs, so multiple small meals are much better than a single large one. Observe their feeding behavior carefully; all offered food should be consumed within roughly two to three minutes. If there is uneaten food left on the substrate, reduce the portion size during the next feeding. Foraging is a natural behavior, so spreading the food slightly can encourage natural scavenging activity.
- Charge biologique
- Low to Medium
- The bioload of Brochis garbei is generally considered to be quite low compared to larger freshwater fish. They are small, efficient scavengers that do not produce excessive amounts of waste in the aquarium. However, because they must be kept in groups of at least six, the cumulative bioload should be factored into your filtration capacity. Regular water changes and good mechanical filtration are still necessary to maintain optimal water quality. Overfeeding can quickly spike ammonia, so moderation is key.
- Courant
- Stagnant
- As a species that often inhabits slow-moving to moderately flowing streams in South America, Brochis garbei appreciates gentle to moderate water circulation. They do not fare well in highly turbulent environments where they must constantly struggle against strong currents. Providing areas of calmer water, especially near the bottom where they spend most of their time, is important for their rest. The filter return should provide adequate oxygenation without turning the tank into a whirlpool. Natural river stones and driftwood can be used to break the flow and create comfortable resting zones.
- Risque de saut
- Yes
- The jump risk for Brochis garbei is generally considered to be quite low under normal, stress-free aquarium conditions. They are primarily bottom-dwelling fish that focus their activities on foraging in the substrate. However, like many Corydoras, they will occasionally dart to the surface to gulp atmospheric air, a completely normal behavior linked to their specialized intestinal respiratory system. If water parameters deteriorate or if they are severely startled, they might accidentally launch themselves out of an open tank. Therefore, a well-fitting lid is still highly recommended to prevent any unfortunate accidents.
- Reproduction
- Oviparous
- Breeding Brochis garbei in captivity is entirely possible but requires some dedicated preparation and conditioning. They are egg scatterers, typically laying their adhesive eggs on broad plant leaves, aquarium glass, or smooth stones after a lively courtship display. To trigger spawning, aquarists often perform a large, slightly cooler water change to simulate the onset of the rainy season in their natural habitat. Once eggs are laid, the parents may eat them, so it is often necessary to remove the eggs or the adult fish to a separate rearing tank. The fry are quite small and require infusoria or finely powdered foods before graduating to freshly hatched brine shrimp.
- Compatibilité et compagnons
- Community
- Brochis garbei is an extremely peaceful community fish that thrives in the company of other calm species. They should never be housed with large, aggressive, or highly active bottom-dwellers that might outcompete them for food or nip at their fins. Ideal tank mates include small tetras, rasboras, peaceful dwarf cichlids, and other similarly sized peaceful fish. Keeping them with small freshwater shrimp is usually safe, though tiny shrimplets might occasionally be eaten. Their peaceful nature makes them an excellent addition to almost any tranquil community setup.
- Niveau dans le bac
- Bottom
- Like the vast majority of its relatives, Brochis garbei is a dedicated bottom-dwelling fish that spends most of its time resting or foraging on the substrate. They use their sensitive barbels to constantly sift through sand or fine gravel in search of edible morsels. Providing a soft, sandy substrate is crucial to prevent their delicate barbels from wearing down or becoming infected. While they do occasionally dart to the water surface to gulp air, they will immediately return to the lower levels of the tank. Ensure there is plenty of open swimming space along the bottom alongside shaded resting areas under plants or driftwood.
Modèles et paramètres scientifiques
FishBase
Fenêtre sur les données scientifiques officielles de l’espèce
FishBase v25.04Données synchronisées le : 15/06/2026
- Niveau trophique
- 2,9 ± 0,3 se
- Résilience
- Élevée (moins de 15 mois)
- Singularité phylogénétique (PD50)
- 0.5
- Relation bayésienne longueur-poids
- a = 0.02399, b = 3.16
- VulnérabilitéVulnérabilité faible (10 / 100)
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