Skunk cory (Brochis arcuata) care guide

Group
Freshwater fish
Other names
Arched cory, Skunk corydoras, Corydoras arcuatus, Brochis arcuatus
Family
Callichthyidae (armoured catfishes)
Origin
Western Amazon basin in Brazil, Peru and Colombia, in small blackwater and clearwater streams. PlanetCatfish also lists the Rio Madeira (Humaitá), middle Amazon and Purus.
Water
freshwater
Maximum size
7 cm
Temperature
20–28°C
pH
5–7.5
Hardness
Soft to medium, 2–12 dGH
Minimum tank
54 litres
Care level
beginner
Temperament
peaceful

Care

Skunk corys are peaceful, shoaling fish; PlanetCatfish says to keep them in groups of at least 6 of the same species. Formerly Corydoras arcuatus, it is now in Brochis after the 2024 split of Corydoras (PlanetCatfish uses Brochis arcuata; FishBase spells it Brochis arcuatus), but it is still sold almost everywhere as "Corydoras arcuatus". For a group, a base of about 60 × 30 cm (around 54 litres) is a sensible minimum (our estimate; Seriously Fish gives no tank size). Ideally use sand; rounded gravel is an imperfect alternative and must be kept very clean. PlanetCatfish recommends shade from overhanging rockwork, arching bogwood, or tall or floating plants. It does well at about 20–28 °C, pH 5–7.5 and soft to medium-hard water. Keep up regular water changes and keep the substrate clean, as waste and nitrate build-up leads to barbel erosion and infection. Corys are sensitive to salt and some medications. Identification: an even, dark arched stripe running from the snout along the back to the lower tail. In true arcuata the stripe runs through the eye onto the snout; in C. urucu it stops behind the eye. C. narcissus is a larger, longer-snouted fish, and a big short-snouted form is sold as "super arcuatus" (CW036). PlanetCatfish warns that Corydoras sp. C020, now described as Hoplisoma granti, is very similar and is often sold as C. arcuatus; Wikipedia adds that most skunk corys in the trade, and much older care information, actually refer to H. granti. Sexing: females grow larger and fuller-bodied (best seen from above), and males develop more pointed fin tips. Size: PlanetCatfish gives a maximum of 7 cm SL, larger than the 5.5 cm used by Seriously Fish and FishBase; the PlanetCatfish figure is used here, though most fish sold are smaller. The fin spines are painful (though not dangerous) if they pierce the skin, so handle carefully. FishBase lists Brochis arcuatus as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List (assessed 2020). Sources: PlanetCatfish (planetcatfish.com/common/species.php?speciesid=1273); Seriously Fish (seriouslyfish.com/species/corydoras-arcuatus/); FishBase (fishbase.se/summary/Corydoras-arcuatus.html); Wikipedia (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brochisarcuata). Checked October 2026.

Diet

An omnivorous forager that accepts a wide range of commercial foods, including tablets, granules and flake. Live or frozen foods such as bloodworm, whiteworm, grindal worm, Daphnia and Tubifex are taken readily. Feed it deliberately, so food reaches the bottom.

Breeding

PlanetCatfish has no breeding report for true Brochis arcuata, and Wikipedia warns that most breeding reports for "skunk corys" probably refer to Hoplisoma granti. Females grow larger and are noticeably rounder when full of eggs. FishBase describes the typical cory spawning: the female holds 2–4 eggs between her pelvic fins while the male fertilises them, then sticks them to a surface, repeating until around 100 eggs are laid. The usual cory approach – conditioning on live and frozen foods followed by a large, slightly cooler water change – is the best place to start.

Compatibility and tank mates

A peaceful, shoaling community fish for a well-kept tank of small, calm species such as tetras, rasboras, pencilfish, dwarf cichlids and other peaceful catfish. Avoid large, aggressive or nippy fish and anything that grabs all the food before it reaches the bottom.

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

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