Schultz's cory (Corydoras haraldschultzi) care guide

Group
Freshwater fish
Other names
Mosaic corydoras, Mosaic cory, Harald Schultz's cory, Brochis haraldschultzi
Family
Callichthyidae (armoured catfishes)
Origin
Brazil and Bolivia: Rio Guaporé (Iténez), Mamoré and Madeira systems in the Amazon basin.
Water
freshwater
Maximum size
5.9 cm
Temperature
24–26°C
pH
6–7.5
Hardness
Soft to medium
Minimum tank
72 litres
Care level
beginner
Temperament
peaceful

Care

Schultz's cory is a fairly large, long-snouted cory reaching about 5.9 cm SL. Keep a group of at least six of the one species. A tank with a base of about 80 × 30 cm (roughly 72 litres) is a sensible minimum for a group; this is our estimate, as the sources give no tank size. Use fine sand, or at least smooth rounded gravel kept very clean, so the fish can sift for food without wearing down their barbels. Add driftwood, plants and some shade, leaving an open patch of floor for foraging. It likes warm water: PlanetCatfish gives 24–26 °C (FishBase up to 28 °C), which makes it suitable for warmer tanks. FishBase gives a broad pH range of 6–8; aim for about 6–7.5 in soft to medium water. Keep nitrate low with regular partial water changes and do not let waste build up in the substrate, as dirty conditions quickly lead to eroded barbels and infections. Corys handle salt and many medications (especially copper) poorly, so treat with care. Darting to the surface for a gulp of air now and then is normal: they breathe air through the gut. The pectoral-fin spines are sharp and can give a painful jab, so take care when netting and handling. It is very often confused with Sterba's cory (Hoplisoma sterbai). PlanetCatfish explains the difference: haraldschultzi has dark spots on a pale head, while sterbai has pale spots on a dark head, and sterbai has a rounded snout compared with the long nose of haraldschultzi. C. gossei looks similar but has no spots on the body. Name note: FishBase now places it in Brochis as Brochis haraldschultzi after the 2024 revision, while PlanetCatfish still lists it under Corydoras; it is sold as "Corydoras haraldschultzi". We have changed the page's common name to "Schultz's cory", the PlanetCatfish name, because "mosaic corydoras, reticulated corydoras" duplicated the page for C. reticulatus. FishBase lists it as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List (2020); PlanetCatfish shows Not Evaluated. Sources: PlanetCatfish (planetcatfish.com/common/species.php?speciesid=292); FishBase (fishbase.se/summary/Corydoras-haraldschultzi.html). Checked October 2026.

Diet

An omnivorous bottom forager. Give good-quality sinking tablets or granules as the staple, with live and frozen bloodworm, brine shrimp and Daphnia several times a week. Make sure food reaches the bottom so it is not left with scraps.

Breeding

PlanetCatfish has no breeding report for this species. Try the usual cory approach: condition a group with more males than females on live and frozen foods, then do a large, slightly cooler water change to trigger spawning. Females grow larger and rounder than males.

Compatibility and tank mates

Peaceful and gregarious. A good bottom-dweller for warm community tanks with small tetras, pencilfish, dwarf cichlids such as rams, and other peaceful catfish. Avoid large, aggressive or food-grabbing fish.

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

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