pH range: 6.0 – 8.0; dH range: 5 – 19
Corydorus trilineatus, or the Threestripe cory, is a South America fish native to the Central Amazon River basin. It is commonly mistaken for Corydorus julii, but can be distinguished by the larger amount of black on the dorsal fin. A typical, peaceful, schooling cory, these fish prefer groups of 5 or more and make excellent scavengers for the community tank. They enjoy the shade provided by caves and large-leafed plants. Threestripe cories are omnivorous and need a balanced diet of meaty and vegetable matter. Sinking wafers and pellets are useful to ensure that food reaches them past the top and mid-water fish.
Even though I only have one (his friend(s) died over time) Leopard Cory in my 20G tank, it's easily one of the happiest and most active fish I own. Their patterns are so beautiful and they pretty much take care of themselves by digging through the sand or rock substrate with their whiskers. I've had mine for 6 months or so and it is about 6cm long, so they grow to size quickly, but so far, I haven't noticed it growing any larger, so it's a great sized bottom-feeder for any active community tank, especially if you have plants. I am always finding mine playing through the leaves.
I have two in my 150 show tank and they are just comedians chasing one another here there and everywhere. There were just two at the store otherwise I would have bought more.
I have one along with an albino cory, my leopard i named Sherlock Holmes(based of the modern movie sherlock because he seems dopey, and a little lazy) and my albino i named Watson(again based on the modern movie) because he does all the actual work. these two are bonded and can be seen swimming and resting and resting together. i love watching them. they are doing well in a tank that runs pH between 8.0 and 8.3
Well I have a moderately planted 15gal. tank, that is well established. I have 3 of these C. Trilineatus. I personally dislike the moniker "Leopard Cory, as there is a genus of C. leopardus in existence, which features a much more narrow head. Upon thinking about and looking at C. Trilineatus, C. juli, and C. leopardus, I wonder how genetically different the three species are, and whether or not 2 of the 3 (juli and trilineatus) species are in fact the same species with minor geographical differences, to pattern and size. Can the species inter-breed? Will they interbreed? Is the offspring viable? Gnome on Corydoras please....
