Easy
Albino Golden Cory (Corydoras aeneus)
22–26°C · pH 6–7.5 · 60L
£2.99
Three-Stripe Cory is a peaceful false-Julii-style cory catfish for mature community aquariums, best kept in a group of six or more on soft sand.
Hoplisoma trilineatum
Three-Stripe Cory are a shoaling species — they need 6+ to feel safe and show their full colour.
Three-Stripe Cory is a peaceful false-Julii-style cory catfish for mature community aquariums, best kept in a group of six or more on soft sand.
Maintain these water conditions for optimal health and vibrant colors
The Three-Stripe Cory is best listed today as Hoplisoma trilineatum. In aquarium shops, supplier lists and older care sheets it is still very widely called Corydoras trilineatus, and it is also sold as the False Julii Cory, Three-Lined Cory or Leopard Cory. Those older and trade names are useful for identification, but this page keeps the accepted name clear so the listing is not forced around old keyword wording.
This is a peaceful South American cory catfish for mature community aquariums. It is small, active, social and best kept as a group on soft sand. The main care mistake is treating it as a single bottom-cleaner. Three-Stripe Corys need their own sinking food, clean substrate, oxygenated water and calm tank mates that let them forage normally.
FishBase lists the species from the Amazon system and nearby South American waters, with tropical freshwater parameters. ScotCat and UK retail care references also stress the false-Julii confusion, group care and sandy substrate. The practical message is simple: keep a proper group, protect the barbels, and feed the bottom of the tank deliberately.
| Care point | Recommendation |
|---|---|
| Accepted name | Hoplisoma trilineatum |
| Trade synonym | Corydoras trilineatus |
| Common names | Three-Stripe Cory, Three-Lined Cory, False Julii Cory |
| Adult planning | About 5.5-6 cm |
| Temperament | Peaceful, social bottom dweller |
| Best kept as | A group of 6 or more |
Three-Stripe Cory is often confused with the true Julii Cory. That matters because many buyers search for Julii-style corys and see both names used loosely. Hoplisoma trilineatum usually has stronger connected markings, a reticulated head pattern and a more obvious dark side stripe, while true Hoplisoma julii is generally finer spotted and less commonly exported. ScotCat notes that H. trilineatum is the more robust and commonly encountered aquarium fish.
For this listing, the trade bridge is kept naturally: if your supplier invoice or older book says Corydoras trilineatus, it is referring to the same aquarium fish. If you are comparing it with Julii Cory, use the pattern and source name rather than relying only on a short common name.
Plan for adult fish and social behaviour. A 75 litre aquarium is a sensible minimum for a small group, but a longer footprint is better because the fish spend the day exploring the bottom. Soft sand is strongly preferred. Smooth rounded gravel can work if it stays clean, but sharp gravel and dirty pockets can damage barbels and make feeding harder.
Use open sand at the front, shaded planting, wood, leaf-litter areas if suitable for the tank, and gentle to moderate flow with good oxygen. Corys regularly dash to the surface to take air, so leave open access to the surface. Keep the substrate clean during water changes, but do not make the aquarium sterile; mature biofilm and stable water help small catfish settle.
| Water and setup | Target | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Temperature | 22-26 C | Comfortable community range for this species |
| pH | 6.0-8.0 | Tolerant when changes are gradual and stable |
| Hardness | Soft to moderate preferred | Matches many South American community setups |
| Substrate | Fine smooth sand | Protects barbels and supports natural foraging |
| Group size | 6 or more | Reduces stress and encourages normal behaviour |
Three-Stripe Corys are omnivores. They will search the substrate constantly, but they should not be expected to live on leftovers. Offer sinking tablets, soft granules, small wafers, frozen daphnia, brine shrimp, bloodworm and other fine foods that reach the bottom. Feed after surface fish have slowed down if food competition is a problem.
A well-fed group should have rounded bellies without looking swollen. Thin bodies, pinched bellies or frantic feeding usually mean food is not reaching them. Scatter food across more than one area so weaker fish can feed, and remove excess food before it spoils the substrate.
| Food | Use |
|---|---|
| Sinking micro granules | Daily staple for small mouths |
| Cory tablets and soft wafers | Main bottom-feeding foods |
| Frozen daphnia, brine shrimp and bloodworm | Useful variety and condition food |
| Quality flake crushed to sink | Supplement, not the only diet |
This is one of the easiest cory types to place in a peaceful community, provided the bottom of the tank is not overcrowded. Good companions include small tetras, rasboras, peaceful livebearers, pencilfish, hatchetfish, dwarf cichlids with care, small gouramis in calm setups and other gentle bottom fish where space allows. Avoid large predators, aggressive cichlids, fin nippers, rough plecos and any fish likely to take all food before the corys feed.
Do not mix it carelessly with very similar cory species if you are trying to maintain a pure breeding group. For a general display aquarium, the bigger issue is comfort: enough of its own kind, soft substrate, and a tank layout where the group can forage without being chased.
Dim the lights before release, float and acclimate carefully, then let the group settle onto sand or a quiet planted area. Corys often explore quickly once calm, but they may hide after transport. Offer a small sinking food once the aquarium has settled and check that each fish is feeding during the first week.
Orders are packed for livestock transport through a licensed live-animal courier process and eligible orders are covered by our Live Arrival Guarantee. Those service details are included once, while the main page remains focused on identification and care.
Care and naming were cross-checked against FishBase for accepted taxonomy, size, water and spawning notes; ScotCat for the Hoplisoma trilineatum / false-Julii identification context and group-care guidance; Seriously Fish for substrate and maintenance cautions; and Fishkeeper/Maidenhead Aquatics for UK practical care around sandy substrate and Julii misidentification.
22–26°C · pH 6–7.5 · 60L
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