Robust Cory - Brochis robusta

Common Name: Robust Cory
Scientific Name: Brochis robusta
Native Region: Brazil – Purus River Basin, Middle Amazon
Origin: Wild Caught
Adult Size: Approximately 3"
Temperament: Peaceful / Social
Diet: Omnivore / Bottom Feeder
Currently Feeding On: EBO Artemia Softgran, EBO Insect Softgran, EBO Plankton Tabs
Swimming Level: Bottom
Recommended Group: 6+

The Robust Cory is a relatively uncommon member of the Brochis group and a great choice for aquarists looking for a larger, distinctive corydoras-type catfish. Its stocky body, armored appearance, and active social behavior give it a particularly substantial appearance compared with many of the smaller Corydoras commonly found in the hobby. Brochis robusta reaches approximately 7.1 cm standard length and is known from the Purus River basin of the middle Amazon.

In nature, this species is found in freshwater environments within the Purus drainage of the Amazon basin. FishBase records it from a creek entering the Rio Ipixuna of the Purus system in Amazonas, Brazil. Like other callichthyid catfish, its armored body and bottom-oriented lifestyle make it well suited to life along the substrate, where it searches for small food items and organic material.

Robust Corys are peaceful, highly social fish that should be maintained in groups. They spend much of their time exploring the substrate, investigating plants, wood, rocks, and other surfaces for food. Keeping a proper group allows them to display their natural social behavior and generally results in much more confident and active fish.

Care Requirements

Temperature: 72–79°F
pH: 6.0–8.0
Tank Size: 30 gallons+
Water: Clean, well-oxygenated, soft to moderately hard
Group Size: 6+

Robust Corys thrive in mature aquariums with clean water, good biological filtration, and plenty of open substrate for foraging. Fine sand or smooth, rounded gravel is preferred to prevent damage to their sensitive barbels. Driftwood, smooth stones, plants, and shaded areas can be incorporated to create a natural environment while still leaving plenty of room for bottom activity. FishBase records the species from waters ranging from pH 6.0–8.0 and approximately 22–26°C (72–79°F).

Their omnivorous diet should include a variety of sinking foods that reach the substrate where they naturally feed. Quality sinking pellets, wafers, spirulina-based foods, frozen bloodworms, brine shrimp, daphnia, and other appropriately sized frozen or live foods can all be incorporated into a varied feeding routine. Feeding after lights-out or during subdued lighting can help ensure that they receive plenty of food when housed with faster midwater feeders.

Because Corydoras and Brochis are active foragers, they should not be expected to survive solely on leftover food from other fish. Target feeding with sinking foods helps maintain good body condition and allows every member of the group to feed properly.

Robust Corys are excellent community fish and can be kept with peaceful tetras, rasboras, livebearers, small to medium peaceful cichlids, other Corydoras, and many other non-aggressive species. They are especially attractive in larger planted community aquariums where their constant bottom activity adds movement and personality.

Difficulty: Easy
Breeding: Egg Scatterer

Like other members of the Corydoradinae, Brochis robusta is an egg-scattering species. A well-conditioned group can be encouraged to spawn with excellent water quality, abundant feeding, and changes in temperature or water chemistry that mimic seasonal conditions.

Why We Like Them

• Uncommon Amazonian Brochis species

• Stocky, robust body shape

• Peaceful and highly social

• Excellent choice for larger Corydoras groups

• Active and entertaining bottom-dweller

• Naturally suited to planted community aquariums

• Easy to feed with a wide variety of foods

• A great choice for collectors looking beyond the more common Corydoras

All livestock is carefully quarantined and monitored before being offered for sale at Saburai Aquatics.