Içana Cory
Brochis incolicana
Rare and distinct inhabitant of the Rio Içana. Shows off a black-dotted body and an intense double transverse marking: a 'mask' over the eye and a 'shoulder pad' in front of the dorsal fin.
Temperatura da água
22 - 26 °C
Valor de pH
6 - 7.2
Tipo de água
Água doce
Nível do tanque
Parte inferior
Tamanho adulto
5,5 cm
Volume mínimo do tanque
>= 80 L
Grupo mínimo
>= 6
GH
2 - 12 dGH
KH
2 - 10 dKH
TDS
50 - 280 ppm
Condutividade
78 - 438 uS/cm
Descrição da espécie
Geographical Origin and Habitat: Originating from Brazil (Içana River Basin, in the north of the Rio Negro). Finds its perfect habitat in small streams and quiet meanders, with distinctly acidic and amber water (blackwater), with a dense tropical canopy that shields the light and a substrate of dead leaves.
Taxonomy and Morphology: C. incolicana ("inhabitant of the Içana") is a Corydoras belonging to the Callichthyidae family. It has a moderately long and stocky snout profile and resistant bony armor. Reaches 5.5 cm (2.2 inches) in the adult stage.
Social Behavior: Vital gregariousness. Keeping schools made up of 6 or better 10+ specimens ensures complete disinhibition. Very busy but by nature fearful: an excessively busy or empty tank of decorations will make it invisible for most of the day.
Coloration and Sexual Dimorphism: Cream background with pinkish/golden nuances. Densely covered by a patchwork of brown-black spots (reticulated pattern) and sports the conspicuous black "bandit-type" mask over the eyes typical of many Corys. Females considerably more paunchy and taller than males.
Cuidado, criação e companheiros de tanque
Aquarium Setup: Impose the use of fine silica sand for the health of the barbels. Roots (red-moor) covered with Java ferns and conspicuous handfuls of decaying oak leaves on the bottom. Requires dimmed lights and slow currents.
Diet and Feeding: Omnivorous bottom fish tending to carnivore. Must be foraged in dim or off lights: administer sinking tablets, granules, and flood the substrate thrice-weekly with chopped krill, brine shrimp, daphnia, and tiny frozen bloodworms.
Water Quality: Sensitive to bottom putrescence (deadly nitrates > 25ppm). Temperatures from 22 to 26°C (72-79°F). Medium-low water hardness (GH 2-12). Slightly acidic or neutral pH (6.0 - 7.2). Partial water changes with remineralized RO water are important.
Compatibility and Cohabitation: Friendly tenant par excellence. Ideal with small South American tetras (Neons, Hyphessobrycon), herbivorous Loricariids (Farlowella, Otocinclus) and dwarf species like rasboras. Any pairing with dominant bottom cichlids is not recommended.
Aquarium Breeding: Classic T-position modality: stimulated by the introduction of cold water (monsoon simulation). Lays clusters of thick and viscous eggs on broad leaves or on the aquarium glass. Immediate removal of the parents or eggs to a hatchery is necessary.
Risks and Diseases: Abrasive gravel will lead to bacterial necrosis of the snout, depriving it of the vital ability to procure food. Formalin and Malachite Green-based therapies should only be used at fractions of the dosage.
Origem e distribuição geográfica
Originating from Brazil (Içana River Basin, in the north of the Rio Negro). Finds its perfect habitat in small streams and quiet meanders, with distinctly acidic and amber water (blackwater), with a dense tropical canopy that shields the light and a substrate of dead leaves.
Origem
Amazônia, Orinoco e Guianas
Perfil de peixe
- Temperamento
- Semi-aggressive
- Exhibiting an inherently peaceful and gregarious temperament, *Brochis incolicana* is completely non-aggressive toward its tank mates. They are highly social creatures that find security in numbers, making them playful and active when kept in a sufficient shoal. A lone individual will often become stressed, reclusive, and susceptible to disease. Their amiable disposition makes them one of the most endearing and universally beloved additions to any freshwater community setup.
- Dieta
- Omnivore
- In the wild, they are omnivorous bottom feeders that forage for small insects, worms, crustaceans, and plant matter. In the home aquarium, they readily accept a wide variety of high-quality sinking pellets, wafers, and granules. It is highly recommended to supplement their diet with regular offerings of live or frozen foods such as bloodworms, daphnia, and brine shrimp to ensure optimal health and condition. Care should be taken to ensure that food reaches the bottom before being consumed by mid-water swimming fish.
- Expectativa de vida
- 8-10 years
- Tamanho adulto
- 5.5 cm
- Proporção sexual
- Group
- For general display purposes, the sex ratio is relatively unimportant as long as they are kept in a suitably sized group of at least six individuals. However, for those aiming to breed them, a ratio of two to three males for every single female often yields the best results. The increased number of males encourages competitive courtship and ensures higher fertilization rates during spawning. Identifying the sexes becomes easier as they mature, with females typically appearing significantly broader and rounder than the sleeker males.
- Frequência de alimentação
- Twice daily
- To maintain their energy levels and overall health, *Brochis incolicana* should be fed small amounts one to two times per day. It is important to only offer what they can completely consume within about three to five minutes to prevent water fouling. Overfeeding can lead to poor water quality and subsequent health issues, especially considering their bottom-dwelling nature. Observing their feeding behavior during meals can help adjust the portions to meet their specific metabolic needs.
- Carga biológica
- Low
- As a small benthic catfish, *Brochis incolicana* contributes a relatively low bioload to the aquarium ecosystem. They are efficient scavengers that help break down uneaten food, which slightly mitigates their own waste production. However, because they must be kept in groups of at least six, the cumulative bioload of the shoal should be factored into your filtration capacity. Regular water changes and good mechanical filtration are still necessary to maintain optimal water quality and prevent the accumulation of nitrates on the substrate.
- Fluxo
- Stagnant
- They naturally inhabit sluggish tributaries, floodplains, and pools with relatively gentle water movement. In the aquarium, they appreciate a moderate flow that provides good oxygenation without creating overwhelming currents. Harsh, direct water flow should be avoided as it can cause exhaustion and stress for these small fish. Providing areas of calmer water behind hardscape or plants allows them comfortable resting spots.
- Risco de salto
- Yes
- While not generally known as prolific jumpers, they do possess the ability to leap out of the water if startled or if water conditions deteriorate. Like all Corydoras, they occasionally dart to the surface to gulp atmospheric air, and during this rapid ascent, they might accidentally breach the surface too forcefully. A well-fitting aquarium lid is highly recommended to prevent any tragic accidents. Ensuring optimal water parameters will also minimize any erratic surfacing behavior.
- Reprodução
- Oviparous
- Breeding *Brochis incolicana* involves simulating the rainy season through large, cooler water changes and feeding highly nutritious live foods. The female will gather eggs in a pouch formed by her pelvic fins while the male fertilizes them. Following fertilization, the female carefully deposits the adhesive eggs onto broad plant leaves, aquarium glass, or flat stones. Because the parents may consume their own eggs, it is best to rear the fry in a separate, dedicated breeding tank with meticulous water quality management.
- Compatibilidade e companheiros de tanque
- Community
- This species is exceptionally peaceful and makes an excellent addition to a community aquarium. They do not bother other fish and are perfectly safe to keep with small 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 delicate barbels. They thrive best when kept alongside other docile species that occupy the middle and upper levels of the water column.
- Nível do tanque
- Bottom
- This species is a classic bottom dweller that spends the vast majority of its time resting on or foraging through the substrate. You will frequently observe them sifting through fine sand with their sensitive barbels in search of hidden morsels. Although they mostly remain at the lowest level of the aquarium, they will make periodic, lightning-fast dashes to the water surface to gulp air. Their predominantly benthic nature means they require plenty of uninterrupted swimming space along the tank floor.
Modelos e parâmetros científicos
FishBase
Acesso aos dados científicos oficiais da espécie
FishBase v25.04Dados sincronizados em: 15/06/2026
- Nível trófico
- 2,9 ± 0,3 se
- Resiliência
- Alta (menos de 15 meses)
- Unicidade filogenética (PD50)
- 0.5
- Relação bayesiana comprimento-peso
- a = 0.00741, b = 3.14
- VulnerabilidadeVulnerabilidade baixa (10 / 100)
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