Reticulated cory (Corydoras reticulatus) care guide

Group
Freshwater fish
Other names
Network cory, Mosaic cory, Reticulated corydoras, Network corydoras, Brochis reticulata
Family
Callichthyidae (armoured catfishes)
Origin
Amazon basin, Brazil: lower Amazon (described from near Monte Alegre, Pará), with records from the middle (Solimões) and upper Amazon.
Water
freshwater
Maximum size
6.1 cm
Temperature
22–26°C
pH
6–7.2
Hardness
Soft to medium-hard, 2–15 dGH
Minimum tank
68 litres
Care level
beginner
Temperament
peaceful

Care

The reticulated cory is a peaceful shoaling catfish; keep a group of at least 6, and more if possible, as it is far more confident and active in numbers. A tank with a base of about 60 × 38 cm (around 68 litres) suits a small group. 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. Seriously Fish advises against undergravel filters. Smooth rocks, bogwood, thick planting and some floating cover make it feel secure, and a little surface movement helps keep the water well oxygenated. It is adaptable: aim for about 22–26 °C (PlanetCatfish), a pH of roughly 6–7.2 and soft to moderately hard water (2–15 dGH). 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. PlanetCatfish separates it from the similar C. sodalis by the dark blotch in the dorsal fin. Females are larger and fuller-bodied (best seen from above), and mature males have more pointed fin tips. PlanetCatfish gives a maximum of 6.1 cm SL. Name note: since the 2024 revision of the corydoradine catfishes it has been moved to Brochis as Brochis reticulata (PlanetCatfish, FishBase, Seriously Fish), but it is still widely sold as "Corydoras reticulatus". We have changed the page's common name to "Reticulated cory", since "mosaic corydoras" is also used for C. haraldschultzi. It is one of the more common corys in shops. FishBase lists it as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List (2018); PlanetCatfish shows Not Evaluated. Sources: PlanetCatfish (planetcatfish.com/common/species.php?speciesid=257); Seriously Fish (seriouslyfish.com/species/brochis-reticulata/); FishBase (fishbase.se/summary/Corydoras-reticulatus.html); Wikipedia (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brochisreticulata). Checked October 2026.

Diet

An omnivore that eats worms, small crustaceans, insects and plant matter in the wild. PlanetCatfish says it readily takes bottom foods such as tablets and granules plus live or frozen bloodworm and Tubifex-type worms; add brine shrimp and chopped earthworm for variety and condition.

Breeding

Rarely bred: PlanetCatfish has a single breeding report, and Seriously Fish has no record of an aquarium spawning. It is likely to breed like other corys: condition a group with more males than females, then trigger spawning with a large, cooler water change. The female holds a few eggs between her pelvic fins while a male fertilises them, then sticks them to dense plants or the glass, repeating until about 100 eggs are laid. The adults do not guard the eggs. Eggs should hatch in 3–4 days, and the fry can be fed microworm and newly hatched brine shrimp.

Compatibility and tank mates

A peaceful, shoaling community fish. Keep with small characins (tetras), small cyprinids such as rasboras, peaceful anabantoids, 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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