Pantanal Cory C005 (Brochis pantanalensis)

Choose the Pantanal Cory for a bright, planted community

The Pantanal Cory is Brochis pantanalensis, an armoured catfish from the Pantanal, the vast tropical wetland on the borders of Bolivia and Brazil. For most of its history in the hobby it was called Corydoras pantanalensis, and before it was formally described it carried the C-number C005. Knaack described it in 2001 from the Cussis and Las Petas river basins in Bolivia, and the species name simply refers to the Pantanal. FishBase, Planet Catfish and Seriously Fish give its range as the Bolivian part of the wetland; Practical Fishkeeping, in a profile by Ian Fuller, also lists the northern Pantanal in Mato Grosso, Brazil.

It is one of the larger corys, at around 7–8 cm as an adult, and one of the more striking ones when mature. Planet Catfish describes the basic colour as always emerald green, and mature males develop a brown network pattern over it, which Practical Fishkeeping calls a beautiful mosaic and which is strongest in the breeding season. Seriously Fish describes it as very peaceful and suitable for many community tanks. In the 2024 reclassification of the corydoradine catfishes by Dias and colleagues it moved, with the other deep-bodied "intermediate long-snouts" of ScotCat's lineage 8, into the genus Brochis.

Match the names on the label

Tell it apart from its look-alikes

Two fish are easily confused with the Pantanal Cory. Practical Fishkeeping and ScotCat both compare it with Brochis geryi, a slightly smaller relative from the same part of the Pantanal whose mature males show the same mosaic pattern; because the two live together, Practical Fishkeeping notes they may turn up together in imports. ScotCat also says it is reminiscent of the Emerald Catfish, Brochis splendens.

Planet Catfish words the fin difference less clearly than the other two sources, but ScotCat and Practical Fishkeeping agree that the Pantanal Cory has a clear tail fin and B. geryi a patterned one.

Know what one purchase supplies

One purchase supplies one live Pantanal Cory in the standard size we receive, sex not chosen. Planet Catfish explains that males and females look the same until maturity, when only males develop the strong network pattern; plain fish are either females or males that are not yet mature or dominant. Seriously Fish adds that males are the smaller, slimmer sex, and Planet Catfish notes that mature females are larger and broader. The gallery images are representative, prepared from a reference photograph, and do not show the individual you will receive; young fish are much plainer than a fully coloured adult male.

Plan the group before you buy

A group of six or more is the plan to follow, and a larger group gives a better chance of seeing mature males in full pattern.

Plan for an 8 cm adult

The published sizes differ, so plan for the largest. FishBase and Planet Catfish give 6.9 cm standard length, measured from the snout to the base of the tail. Seriously Fish gives 8 cm standard length, Practical Fishkeeping expects males to reach 7.5 cm and females a little more, up to 8 cm, and ScotCat gives 7.5 cm for males and 8 cm for females. A group of six fish of that size needs a real floor, not a nano tank.

Size the aquarium

For a group of six, the Practical Fishkeeping size is the comfortable choice; the Seriously Fish base is a minimum. Work out your tank's real volume with our tank volume calculator before you order.

Plant it brightly and keep the sand spotless

Seriously Fish describes the Pantanal as the biggest wetland in the world, at around 150,000 square kilometres, and its waters as crystal clear with an abundance of aquatic plants, unlike much of the Amazon. It suggests a brightly lit aquarium with plenty of plants and some floating vegetation to imitate this. That makes the Pantanal Cory a natural choice for a planted community tank; browse our fish for planted tanks for companions.

The floor matters most. Seriously Fish warns that, like all corys, this species is sensitive to poorly maintained or dirty substrates and can lose its barbels in poor conditions, so the substrate must be kept scrupulously clean, and it advises against undergravel filters. Planet Catfish recommends sand, with rounded gravel as an imperfect alternative, and warns against rough, chipped gravel. Edge the sand with driftwood and plants, leave an open feeding area, and use floating plants or tall stems for shade.

Divide the tank by function

Set water values where the sources overlap

The Pantanal floods and drains through the year. Practical Fishkeeping points out an average rainfall of about 1.6 metres and concludes that water conditions must vary a lot during the year, so the Pantanal Cory tolerates change; even so, it recommends a neutral pH of 7.0 and a general hardness of 3–9°dH for the fish's long-term wellbeing. The three published sets of values differ slightly, so the table shows each and the range where they agree.

A neutral pH suits many UK tap supplies, but hardness varies widely between areas, and harder supplies can sit well above 9°dH. Test your tap water first, and if it is hard, plan to blend it with purified water and test every change. Keep the temperature steady with a correctly sized heater and thermometer; our tropical tank temperature guide explains how. The water matcher compares your tap water with the fish you plan to keep, and the water chemistry guide explains pH and hardness.

Separate habitat values from waste readings

The values above describe the water the fish evolved in. Waste readings are a separate check: OATA advises zero ammonia, zero nitrite and nitrate no more than 20 mg per litre above your tap water, tested every week.

Filter for clean, oxygen-rich water

Use a good external, hang-on or internal filter rather than an undergravel plate, which Seriously Fish advises against for corys; an undergravel plate draws waste down into the sand they forage in. FishBase records the Pantanal Cory as a facultative air-breather: like other corys, it can dash to the surface to gulp air, which is normal behaviour and not on its own a sign of trouble. Keep part of the surface clear of floating plants so the fish can reach it easily. Our filtration guide explains how to choose a filter of the right size.

Follow a weekly maintenance sequence

1. Test ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, pH and temperature.
2. Siphon the open sand and the feeding spot; Seriously Fish stresses a scrupulously clean substrate.
3. Change about 25% of the water, the weekly amount OATA recommends, using conditioned tap water at the same temperature.
4. Trim plants and remove dead leaves before they rot on the sand.
5. Rinse filter media only in removed tank water, never under the tap.

Feed a varied, sinking diet

Practical Fishkeeping describes the natural diet as small crustaceans, insect larvae, worms and the microscopic life in the biofilm that coats submerged surfaces. In the aquarium, Seriously Fish says it accepts most sinking dried foods as well as small live and frozen foods such as bloodworm, brine shrimp and chopped earthworm, and that a varied diet keeps the fish in the best condition. Planet Catfish lists tablets, granules and larger flakes that reach the bottom, plus live or frozen bloodworm, white worm, grindal worm, Daphnia and Tubifex.

Build one measured meal

• Portion: only what the group clears in a few minutes, once a day, as OATA advises for catfish.
• Staple: sinking tablets or granules dropped on the same patch of sand.
• Variety: frozen bloodworm, Daphnia or brine shrimp, or chopped earthworm, several times a week.
• Competition: if tank mates take the food first, feed the corys a little after the main lights go down.
• Clean-up: siphon leftovers so the sand stays clean.

Introduce the group to a mature aquarium

Add the fish only once the filter is fully matured and ammonia and nitrite read zero; OATA warns that adding fish too fast causes "new tank syndrome". Catfish travel double-bagged because their spines can puncture bags. Acclimatise with OATA's floating bag method: lights off, float the sealed bag for about 10 minutes, add small amounts of aquarium water to the bag over up to 20 minutes, then release the fish with as little bag water as possible. Avoid netting corys if you can, because their fin spines catch in the mesh.

Use a first-week checkpoint plan

Watch the group and act on changes

A settled group forages together over the sand, rests among the plants and makes quick trips to the surface for air. OATA lists the changes to watch for in any catfish: unusual swimming, colour turning darker or paler, more hiding, faster or slower breathing, white spots or fluffy growths, fin or scale loss and changes in weight or appetite. For corys, the barbels are an early warning, because Seriously Fish notes they can be lost in substandard conditions.

Pair each observation with an action

Choose peaceful tank mates of modest size

Seriously Fish recommends small characins, cyprinids, anabantoids, dwarf cichlids and other peaceful catfish, and warns against anything very large or aggressive. ScotCat suggests small to medium tank mates such as tetras, rasboras and danios. Choose fish that share 23–26°C and near-neutral water.

Decide from the suits and avoid list

From our range, the Lemon Tetra and Black Neon Tetra fill the middle water, and a pair of Agassiz's Dwarf Cichlid can share a large enough planted tank; check every species' water needs overlap. For related Brochis, compare the Emerald Catfish, the Reticulated Cory and the Delphax Cory, or browse all our Brochis corys, the South American catfish and the whole corydoras catfish range. Our corydoras care guide covers the group, the tank mates tool checks a mix before you buy, and our delivery details explain dispatch days.

Breed the Pantanal Cory

The sources differ on how much is known. Planet Catfish records that Knaack, who collected and described the species, reports captive spawning and calls it easy to breed, comparing it with B. geryi, and notes that the fry are brownish and mottled at 15 mm. Practical Fishkeeping says it has been bred in aquariums but that a simulated dry season is believed to be needed before spawning. Seriously Fish's profile says no captive breeding information is available, but that it can probably be bred like many other corydoras, and sets out the usual method.

Follow the usual corydoras spawning steps

1. Set up: Seriously Fish suggests a breeding tank of about 18 × 12 × 12 inches with a bare floor, sand or fine gravel, an air-driven sponge filter and clumps of plants such as java moss, at around 24°C and pH 7.
2. Stock: use more males than females; two males per female is recommended.
3. Condition: feed a varied diet of live, frozen and dried foods until the females are visibly full of eggs.
4. Trigger: make a large water change of 50–70% with cooler water, increase oxygen and flow, and repeat daily until the fish spawn; for this species, Practical Fishkeeping suggests a drier spell beforehand may also help.
5. Protect the eggs: eggs are usually laid on the glass; adults eat them, so remove either the adults or the eggs. Seriously Fish suggests a few drops of methylene blue against fungus and removing any fungused eggs.
6. Raise the fry: eggs hatch in 3–4 days; once the yolk sacs are used, offer microworm and brine shrimp nauplii. Seriously Fish finds fry do better over a thin layer of sand than on a bare floor.

Seriously Fish also notes that many corys spawn in their wild wet season, which falls during the UK winter, so if summer attempts fail, try again in winter.

Answer Pantanal Cory buying questions

What is a Pantanal Cory?

It is Brochis pantanalensis, long known as Corydoras pantanalensis and before its description as C005. It is an armoured catfish described by Knaack in 2001 from the Pantanal wetland, in the Cussis and Las Petas river basins of Bolivia. Practical Fishkeeping also lists the Brazilian part of the northern Pantanal in Mato Grosso.

How big does it grow?

Sources differ. FishBase and Planet Catfish give 6.9 cm standard length, while Seriously Fish gives 8 cm and Practical Fishkeeping gives 7.5 cm for males and up to 8 cm for females, measured without the tail. Plan for an adult of about 8 cm.

How many should I keep?

At least six. Seriously Fish and Practical Fishkeeping both recommend groups of six or more, and OATA advises at least five for any corydoras.

What size aquarium does it need?

Seriously Fish suggests a 75 × 30 cm base, about 68 litres, and Practical Fishkeeping calls a 36 × 15 × 12 inch tank ideal. For a group of these larger corys, the bigger footprint is the better choice.

What water suits the Pantanal Cory?

Aim for 23–26°C, pH 6.5–7.2 and 5–9°dH, where the Seriously Fish, ScotCat and Practical Fishkeeping figures overlap. Practical Fishkeeping calls a neutral pH of 7.0 ideal. Ammonia and nitrite must read zero.

How can I tell males from females?

Mature males develop a brown network or mosaic pattern over the emerald-green body, strongest in the breeding season, and stay slimmer. Females and young males are plainer, and mature females grow larger and broader.

Is it the same as Corydoras latus or Corydoras geryi?

No. Practical Fishkeeping and ScotCat note that the Pantanal Cory is often traded as Corydoras latus, a species whose true identity is uncertain. Brochis geryi lives in the same area and males look similar, but geryi has barred dorsal and tail fins, while the Pantanal Cory's tail fin is clear.

Can it be bred at home?

Yes. Planet Catfish records that Knaack, who described it, reports it as easy to breed. Practical Fishkeeping notes that a simulated dry season may be needed before spawning, and Seriously Fish describes the usual corydoras method of cool water changes.

What does it eat?

Sinking tablets, granules and flake, plus live or frozen bloodworm, Daphnia, brine shrimp and chopped earthworm. In the wild it eats small crustaceans, insect larvae, worms and the tiny life in biofilm.

Consult the care references

• Seriously Fish: Brochis pantanalensis: habitat, adult size, aquarium base, water values, maintenance, diet, compatibility, group size, sexing and the general corydoras breeding method.
• Planet Catfish Cat-eLog: Brochis pantanalensis, Pantanal Cory: names and C-number, type locality, size, identification against C. geryi, sexing, distribution, foods, décor and breeding notes.
• ScotCat: Brochis pantanalensis factsheet: confusion with C. latus, comparison with Brochis splendens and B. geryi, adult size by sex, temperature, pH and IUCN status.
• Practical Fishkeeping, Ian Fuller: Corydoras pantanalensis: origin, water, aquarium size, natural and aquarium diet, the mosaic pattern of mature males and breeding notes.
• FishBase: Brochis pantanalensis: classification, distribution, maximum length, facultative air-breathing and IUCN status.
• OATA: How to look after freshwater catfish: UK guidance on catfish water values, group size for corydoras, minimum aquarium for small species, sand, acclimatisation, weekly maintenance, feeding portions and health signs.
• Tropical Fish Co delivery policy: current dispatch days and arrival terms.