Agassiz's corydoras (Corydoras agassizii) care guide

Group
Freshwater fish
Other names
Agassiz's cory, Spotted cory, Brochis agassizii
Family
Callichthyidae (armoured catfishes)
Origin
Upper Amazon in Peru (around Iquitos) and the Amazon near Tabatinga, Brazil.
Water
freshwater
Maximum size
7 cm
Temperature
22–26°C
pH
6–8
Hardness
2–25 dGH
Minimum tank
60 litres
Care level
beginner
Temperament
peaceful

Care

A peaceful, shoaling cory that should be kept in a group of at least six. It is a fairly large species, up to about 7 cm standard length according to PlanetCatfish, so a tank of around 60 litres or more is a sensible starting point (our estimate; no source gives a figure). Use sand or, failing that, smooth, rounded gravel – rough gravel damages the barbels. Give shade with rocks, bogwood and plants, and leave open sandy areas for foraging. PlanetCatfish gives 22–26 °C, pH 6.0–8.0 and 2–25 dGH, so it is adaptable, but like all corys it needs clean, stable water with low nitrate, and it is sensitive to salt and many medications. Females are larger and fuller-bodied, best seen from above, and males have more pointed fin tips. The pattern of dark spots varies, and it is often confused with similar spotted corys. After the 2024 revision of the corydoradine catfishes it is placed in Brochis (PlanetCatfish lists it as Brochis agassizii), but it is still sold as "Corydoras agassizii". The species is named after the naturalist Louis Agassiz. Sources: PlanetCatfish (planetcatfish.com/common/species.php?speciesid=309). Checked October 2026.

Diet

An easy-going omnivore. Feed sinking tablets and granules as the staple, with flake that reaches the bottom and regular live or frozen foods such as bloodworm, tubifex and daphnia.

Breeding

PlanetCatfish has no breeding reports for this species. Other corys are usually spawned by conditioning a group (more males than females) on live and frozen foods and then doing a large, cooler water change; this approach is worth trying.

Compatibility and tank mates

A peaceful community fish. It suits tanks of small to medium tetras, rasboras, peaceful anabantoids, dwarf cichlids and other corys. Avoid large or aggressive fish and anything big enough to swallow it.

Last updated 5 October 2026. Community-edited care guide on Aquatic-Auctions.

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