Grant's skunk cory (C020) (Corydoras granti) care guide

Group
Freshwater fish
Other names
C020, Skunk corydoras, Arched cory, Hoplisoma granti
Family
Callichthyidae (armoured catfishes)
Origin
Upper Amazon (Amazonas–Solimões) in Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador and Peru, in blackwater and turbid streams; the type locality is in the Rio Negro basin, Brazil.
Water
freshwater
Maximum size
5.5 cm
Temperature
22–26°C
pH
6–7.5
Hardness
Soft to medium (estimate; not given by sources)
Minimum tank
54 litres
Care level
beginner
Temperament
peaceful

Care

This is the skunk cory most often seen in shops. For years it was traded as the undescribed Corydoras sp. C020, usually sold as "Corydoras arcuatus", until it was described in 2019 (Tencatt, Lima and Britto) as Corydoras granti. PlanetCatfish now lists it as Hoplisoma granti, following the 2024 split of Corydoras. Our common name for this page has been changed to keep it apart from our skunk cory page (Brochis arcuata). Keep a group of at least 6. A tank with a base of about 60 × 30 cm (around 54 litres) is our estimate for a group. Use fine sand or smooth, rounded gravel kept very clean, and give cover such as bogwood, plants and some shade. PlanetCatfish gives 22–26 °C. No source gives pH or hardness; soft to medium water at about pH 6–7.5 is our estimate based on its blackwater and turbid-stream habitat and its long history in ordinary community tanks. Keep the water clean with regular partial changes. Like other corys it is sensitive to salt and some medications, and the fin spines can give a painful jab. Identification: a dark arched stripe runs from the snout along the back to the lower tail, as in Brochis arcuata, but H. granti has a shorter, more rounded snout and a different pattern of serrations on the pectoral spines. Females are larger and fuller-bodied than males. It is named after Steven Grant, who studied the differences between the arc-striped corys. IUCN: not evaluated (FishBase, PlanetCatfish). Sources: PlanetCatfish (planetcatfish.com/common/species.php?speciesid=12); FishBase (fishbase.se/summary/Corydoras-granti.html). Checked October 2026.

Diet

Neither PlanetCatfish nor FishBase gives feeding notes; like other corys it is an omnivorous bottom forager. Feed good sinking tablets or pellets as the staple, with live or frozen bloodworm, Daphnia and brine shrimp for variety. Make sure food reaches the bottom.

Breeding

PlanetCatfish records that it has been bred in captivity (one breeding report). Follow the usual cory approach: condition a group with more males than females on live and frozen foods, then trigger spawning with a large water change using slightly cooler water. The female sticks small batches of eggs to glass, plants or décor. Move the eggs or adults afterwards, and raise the fry on microworm and newly hatched brine shrimp in very clean water.

Compatibility and tank mates

A peaceful, shoaling community catfish. Keep with small, calm fish such as tetras, rasboras, pencilfish, dwarf cichlids and other peaceful catfish. Avoid large or aggressive fish.

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

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