Barred-tail corydoras (Corydoras cochui) care guide

Group
Freshwater fish
Other names
Barredtail corydoras, Barred-tail cory, Hoplisoma cochui
Family
Callichthyidae (armoured catfishes)
Origin
Upper Rio Araguaia basin, Brazil.
Water
freshwater
Maximum size
2.5 cm
Temperature
21.1–23.9°C
pH
6–8
Hardness
2–25 dGH
Minimum tank
40 litres
Care level
intermediate
Temperament
peaceful

Care

One of the smallest corys, only about 2.5 cm standard length. It is a bottom dweller and should be kept in a group of at least six of its own kind. We suggest a tank of at least 40 litres for a group (an estimate; we could not check a tank size against a source). Use fine sand so it can forage without damaging its barbels, with plants and leaf litter for cover. FishBase lists it as a tropical fish (about 26 °C) that copes with pH 6.0–8.0 and 2–25 dGH. Like all corys it needs clean, stable water and is sensitive to salt and many medications. It breathes air now and then, so occasional dashes to the surface are normal. After the 2024 split of Corydoras the valid name is Hoplisoma cochui, but it is still sold as "Corydoras cochui". It looks like the salt-and-pepper cory (Corydoras habrosus); check the identification. It is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List (assessed 2018). We could not reach the PlanetCatfish page for this species when researching it, so this page uses FishBase only. Sources: FishBase (fishbase.se/summary/Corydoras-cochui.html). Checked October 2026.

Diet

A tiny foraging omnivore. Feed small sinking foods such as micro pellets and crushed tablets, with small live and frozen foods such as daphnia, newly hatched brine shrimp and small bloodworm.

Breeding

We found no breeding details from a source we could check. Other small corys are usually bred by conditioning a group on live foods and then doing a cooler water change.

Compatibility and tank mates

Peaceful but tiny, so keep only with very small, gentle fish such as small tetras, rasboras, pencilfish and dwarf shrimp. Avoid anything large enough to swallow it or boisterous enough to outcompete it for food.

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

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