Product Details

C005 Pantanal Corydoras – Brochis pantanalensis

The C005 Pantanal Corydoras is a rare and highly desirable cory-type catfish known for its larger size, active nature and impressive adult colouration. Also sold as the Pantanal Cory, Pantanalensis Cory, C005 Cory or under the older name Corydoras pantanalensis, this species is best suited to mature aquariums with soft sand, clean water and a proper group. Adult males can become especially striking when settled, making this a superb choice for keepers looking for a more unusual South American bottom-dweller.

Key Identification:

Common Name: C005 Pantanal Corydoras
Other Names: Pantanal Cory, Pantanalensis Cory, C005 Cory, Pantanal Corydoras
Scientific Name: Brochis pantanalensis
Older / Trade Name: Corydoras pantanalensis
C-number: C005
Fish Type: Cory-type Catfish
Water Type: Freshwater

Natural Range & Habitat:

Brochis pantanalensis is native to South America, with records from the Cussis and Las Petas River basins in Bolivia. It is associated with freshwater habitats connected to the wider Pantanal and Paraguay River region, where seasonal wetlands, clear water channels, vegetated margins and soft-bottomed areas provide feeding and shelter.

In the aquarium, this species should be given a mature setup with fine sand, open foraging space, shaded areas, smooth stones, wood and plants. Clean, stable water is important, and the substrate should be gentle enough for natural sifting behaviour.

Appearance & Adult Size:

C005 Pantanal Corydoras have a deeper, more robust body than many smaller cory-type catfish. Juveniles may appear relatively plain at first, but adults can develop attractive iridescent patterning, especially mature males in good condition. Body colour can vary from silver-grey to olive or bronze tones, often with fine spotting or reticulation depending on age, sex and mood.

Adults usually reach around 7–8 cm, making this a medium to large cory-type catfish. Females are typically broader and fuller-bodied, while males may show stronger pattern and colour during display or breeding condition.

Aquarium Suitability:

This species is best suited to mature planted aquariums, specialist cory displays and peaceful medium-sized community tanks. It needs more floor space than smaller cory species and should not be treated as a tiny bottom-dweller.

C005 Pantanal Corydoras are not algae eaters and should not be bought as a cleaning fish. They need targeted sinking foods, clean substrate and calm tank mates that will not outcompete them or harass them at feeding time.

Recommended Aquarium Size:

A practical minimum is 120 litres for a group, with a tank length of at least 90 cm recommended. Larger aquariums are preferable for adult groups or mixed communities.

Keep in a group of at least 6, with 8 or more preferred where space allows. A proper group improves confidence, reduces stress and encourages natural foraging and social behaviour.

Water Conditions:

Temperature: 22–26°C
pH: 6.2–7.6
Hardness: Soft to moderately hard
Additional Notes: Provide clean, stable, well-oxygenated water with regular maintenance. Fine sand is strongly recommended to protect the barbels and allow natural feeding. Avoid sharp gravel, dirty substrate, unstable new aquariums and poor oxygenation.

Temperament & Tank Mates:

Aquarium Category: Community Fish

C005 Pantanal Corydoras are peaceful, social bottom-dwellers. Suitable tank mates include medium-sized tetras, pencilfish, peaceful barbs, rainbowfish, dwarf cichlids, small to medium peaceful catfish and other calm community fish that enjoy similar water conditions.

Avoid large predators, aggressive cichlids, fin-nipping species, very boisterous tank mates and highly competitive bottom feeders. Very small nano fish may be intimidated by their size and activity, although the corys themselves are not predatory in the usual sense. They should not be kept singly or in pairs.

Feeding:

C005 Pantanal Corydoras are omnivorous bottom-foragers. Offer quality sinking catfish pellets, soft sinking granules and nutritious wafers as the staple diet. Supplement with frozen or live foods such as bloodworm, daphnia, brineshrimp, cyclops, mosquito larvae and tubifex.

They will search the substrate for food, but they must not be expected to survive on scraps. Because this species grows larger than many common corys, make sure enough food reaches the bottom and that all individuals maintain good body condition.

Behaviour in the Aquarium:

This species spends most of its time on the lower levels of the aquarium, foraging across sand, resting in groups and exploring shaded areas around plants, wood and stones. In a settled group, it can be active and visible, especially during feeding.

Like other cory-type catfish, it may occasionally dart to the surface to take air. This is normal, but repeated frantic surface breathing can indicate poor oxygenation or water quality problems. Mature males may show stronger patterning and display behaviour when in breeding condition.

Care Notes:

Provide a mature, fully cycled aquarium with fine sand, stable water and regular maintenance. This is a larger and rarer cory-type catfish, so it deserves more floor space and better feeding attention than a standard small community cory.

Avoid sharp substrates, dirty tanks and rough tank mates. Keep in a proper group and monitor feeding carefully in busy communities. Newly imported fish may be shy at first, so shaded cover and quiet tank mates will help them settle.

Recommended For:

Intermediate

Availability:

Rare / Specialist import or captive-bred stock when available

Image Disclaimer:

All images are a visual representation of the fish you will receive, made to be as accurate as possible. Natural variation in size, colour, pattern, body tone and markings can occur between individual fish.