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Panda Cory5 cm SL · source maximumA pale body carries a dark eye band, a dark dorsal-fin patch and a separate patch on the tail base.
Aspidoras albater3.6 cm SLFour large irregular dark oblique blotches mark the pale tan flanks, with several broad bars on the tail and mottling across the head.
Aspidoras kiriri3.3 cm SLA small, active Aspidoras in trade observations; the source warns against sustained warmth but gives no unique pattern diagnosis.
Raimund's Aspidoras4.5 cm SL · source maximumA low, slender body carries irregular dark blotches on a pale background and markings on the tail. This illustration represents the ordinary natural form.
Brochis amandajanea6.5 cm SL (max)Dark flank spots vary in size, with larger blotches in some individuals; similar stock from the same locality cannot be assigned by pattern alone.
Spotted Cory6.5 cm SL · source maximumIrregular brown spots cover a pale body; historical descriptions show dark anterior dorsal pigment extending around the fin base, with dark tail bands.
Skunk Cory5.5 cm SL (max)The arched dark stripe passes through the eye, with a shorter snout than narcissus. In urucu the comparable stripe stops behind the eye.
Bethan's CoryTypical adult total length unknownA pointed elongated snout, eye mask and arched upper-body stripe are conspicuous. The stripe extends into the lower tail lobe, unlike metae's band ending at the fin base.
Giant Brochis9 cm SL (max)A large-bodied brochis with a long dorsal base. The reported 15–18 dorsal rays are a comparison character, not something an illustration can authenticate.
Brochis condiscipulus6.5 cm SL (max)Compared with similarly patterned oiapoquense, it has a longer snout, narrower body and larger adult size; natural mixed groups do not make images interchangeable.
Blackwater Cory4 cm SLThe flanks can show a vivid green metallic sheen, particularly under frontal lighting.
Saddle Cory6 cm SL (max)It resembles several dark-dorsal-marked corys; the profile highlights clear, unpatterned fins except for the dorsal. Detailed identification evidence remains limited.
Mosaic Cory5.9 cm SLDark spots and short vermiculations cover a pale head, with an elongated snout and yellow-orange paired fins.
Imitator Cory6.5 cm SL (max)A Negro-basin cory with an oblique dorsal band, sharing broad colour similarities with adolfoi and duplicareum; this stripe is not unique to one species.
Leopard Cory6.1 cm SL (max)Its spotted pattern resembles julii or trilineatum, but the snout is longer and more pointed and adult size is greater.
Hognose Brochis10 cm SL · source maximumAn extended snout, metallic green flanks, a long-based dorsal fin and a paler belly distinguish this robust adult cory.
Brochis ornata7 cm SL (max)A larger cory for which the profile emphasizes grouping, fine sand, shelter and oxygenation; a unique visual diagnosis is not established here.
Pantanal Cory8 cm SL · source maximumMature males can develop a dark netlike body pattern during display or breeding; females and non-displaying fish look different. The illustration depicts a displaying male.
Reticulated Cory6 cm SL · source maximumDark reticulation covers the head and flanks, with a conspicuous solid black blotch on the main dorsal fin.
Flagtail Cory7 cm SL · source maximumRows of dark body spots accompany bold black-and-pale longitudinal bands following the caudal rays, creating the flagtail appearance.
Robust Cory9.5 cm SL (max)A larger species whose first dorsal ray lengthens with maturity, especially in males; juvenile fin proportions do not represent every adult.
Brochis seussi7 cm SL (max)Its pattern resembles gossei but the snout is more extended and less rounded; C027 is an older trade reference.
False Network Cory6 cm SL (max)A reticulated cory resembling reticulata, whose large dark dorsal blotch provides a useful comparison.
Millenium Cory7 cm SL (max)Spotted flanks and a sharply bounded tail-base blotch distinguish its general appearance; simile has a more diffuse-looking blotch.
Emerald Cory8 cm SL · source maximumAdults commonly show a metallic green sheen and a long dorsal-fin base. Mottled, high-finned juveniles are not adult reference forms.
Brochis sychri4.3 cm SLA conspicuous dark facial mask is one feature mentioned in the checked source. This feature alone does not distinguish it from other masked corys.
Miguelito Cory6 cm SL (max)Previously traded as Sangama or Zangama and misidentified as bicolor or delphax, it lacks a sufficiently detailed visual diagnosis in the available profile.
Blacktop Cory7 cm SL (max)A narrowed, elongated snout accompanies a dorsal dark mark that may be absent. Similar C-numbered forms exist, so neither the mark nor a trade code alone confirms identity.
Amapa Cory7 cm SLA long-snouted cory; the available breeding account describes conspicuous spiny structures on the pectoral spines of mature males.
Goldhead Cory5.5 cm SL (max)Two prominent flank blotches sit behind the head and below the adipose fin. The elongated tail lobes are unequal, with the upper lobe longer, and the dorsal and tail carry bars.
Corydoras desanaLength unknownThe long-snouted form was traded as Tukano Longnose and CW011; shy, sparse captures in trade observations do not establish an aquarium group size.
Corydoras filamentosus3.2 cm SLA long-snouted cory with a conspicuously elongated dorsal-fin filament. Provide soft sand so it can probe the substrate while foraging.
Fowler's Cory7 cm SL (max)A long-snouted cory, but with a relatively shorter head and snout and a more forward dorsal origin than semiaquilus.
Corydoras fulleri5.5 cm SLA long-snouted cory with highly variable markings, including differences among siblings. A single fixed colour pattern is not a reliable identifier.
Wolf Cory7 cm SLThe trade record distinguishes drabber juveniles from adult photographs but lacks adequate diagnostic and care details.
Long-nosed Skunk Cory7.5 cm SL (max)An arched dark dorsal-side stripe accompanies a distinctly elongated snout, unlike the rounder-snouted and smaller arcuata.
Pastaza Cory7 cm SL (max)The anterior dark bar narrows or breaks up ventrally and many fine spots cover the body; the source contrasts this with the more continuous bar and larger spots of orcesi.
Sarare Cory4.4 cm SLA Sarare River cory formerly traded as C23; captive breeding is reported, but a diagnostic description is missing.
Peru Black Cory8 cm SL (max)A long-snouted cory with several trade colour forms; labels such as huanta or milagros do not by themselves define additional species.
now assigned to other genera4.9 cm SLA saddle-shaped snout accompanies a broad dorsal band in many specimens, while some offspring show only a vertical mark below the dorsal.
Corydoras simulatus5.3 cm SL (max)Colour varies geographically and some fish bear a dark flank mark; small rictal barbels are a reported comparison character that an illustration cannot verify.
Longsnout Cory5.9 cm SLA long-snouted cory for which the available source recommends areas of soft fine sand and a well-maintained, larger aquarium.
Elegant Cory5.5 cm SL (max)Unlike many bottom-oriented corys, it often groups in midwater. Similar members of the elegans assemblage should not be treated as interchangeable trade forms.
Gastrodermus gracilis4 cm SL (max)An arched dark stripe crosses a pale body and ends at the upper tail-ray bases rather than descending into the lower tail base as in some lookalikes.
Guaporé Cory5 cm SL (max)Large eyes, a more forward-facing mouth and a deeply forked tail accompany frequent midwater grouping, unlike lookalikes recognized mainly by a tail-base blotch.
Tail-spot Pygmy Cory3.2 cm SL · source maximumA small, slender cory with a conspicuous dark tail-base patch and pale edging. It also swims away from the substrate.
Napo Cory5 cm SL (max)Males show a dark mark high in the dorsal fin; females are harder to distinguish from elegans-group lookalikes, especially in mixed shipments.
Nijssen's Cory5 cm SL (max)A rounded snout recalls elegans while the colour pattern resembles adolfoi; the species is associated with Negro-basin soft acidic waters.
Gastrodermus pauciradiatus2.9 cm SLA small, relatively slender bottom-dwelling cory. Keep it in a group with fine substrate for foraging, shelter, and well-oxygenated water.
Pygmy Cory3 cm SL · source maximumA continuous dark flank stripe runs along the slender body. This fish also swims above the substrate.
Gastrodermus undulatus4.4 cm SLMales can become very dark with bright pale spots, and the sexes differ noticeably in pattern. This species often swims above the substrate in open water.
Adolfo's Cory6 cm SL (max)An eye band, orange nape patch and diagonal dorsal stripe are conspicuous. Colour intensity and stripe width do not reliably separate it from duplicareum.
White Stripe Cory5 cm SL (max)A broad white flank band, small brown head spots and unmarked fins define its general appearance; it is less deep-bodied than xinguense.
Hoplisoma armatum6.5 cm SL (max)A deeper body and long, slightly curved dorsal spine contrast with the shorter, straighter spine of loretoense; geographically distant trade forms remain qualified.
Fairy Cory5 cm SL (max)Spotted flanks accompany a shorter snout than sychri. The similar C097 form has an intermediate snout and usually more distinct, widely separated spots.
Axelrod's Cory5 cm SL (max)One to three flank stripes may occur, with the main stripe around midbody rather than high on the flank as in loxozonum; extra stripes may fragment into blotches.
Hoplisoma baderi4.7 cm SLSimilar in appearance to nattereri, but lacking that species’ conspicuous black blotch at the dorsal-fin base. Check the dorsal base rather than relying only on the dark flank band.
Boeseman's Catfish4.5 cm SL (max)An upper Suriname River species whose juveniles form larger aggregations than adults; a detailed visual diagnosis remains unavailable here.
Spotted Cory6 cm SL (max)A short rounded snout together with dark tail bars offers a useful comparison with similar corys; trade identifications are often unreliable.
Burgess' Cory5.5 cm SL (max)The dark area is concentrated below and within much of the dorsal fin; the pale nape patch is yellowish rather than strongly orange.
Tailspot Cory5 cm SL (max)A sharply outlined black tail-base spot contrasts with the bluish, diffuse mark of simile; body form also matters when comparing guapore.
Barredtail Cory3.5 cm SL (max)A small cory with about four or five dark flank marks, compared with the two or three usually described for habrosum.
Slate Cory6 cm SL (max)A largely uniform grey body, deep profile and large eye accompany a long dorsal spine; mature males may develop an extended dorsal fin.
Hoplisoma copei5 cm SL (max)It closely resembles acrense and cruziense, and the available source lacks a reliable unique diagnosis; provenance and specimen form both matter.
formerly: Corydoras coppenamensisLength unknownClearly marked spots on the head and flanks accompany a rounded head and somewhat elongated body. Compare head spotting and the diagonal marking between the dorsal base and gill cover when checking similar species.
Sand's Cory6 cm SL (max)The dark dorsal stripe divides above the tail base. Pale orange between the eye band and back stripe, with otherwise unmarked flanks, helps distinguish it from melini.
Variable Cory4.5 cm SLVariable patterning has led to trade confusion with flaveolus and paleatum; the similarly patterned mimulus is a different catfish.
Hoplisoma duplicareum5 cm SL (max)The diagonal black stripe and orange nape resemble adolfoi; greater stripe width or stronger orange is only a visual tendency, not a reliable diagnosis.
Hoplisoma ehrhardti5 cm SL (max)This eastern Brazilian stream species resembles paleatum and carlae; the available profile does not establish a reliable unique visual diagnosis.
Guarana Cory4.5 cm SLIt resembles araguaiaense, with golden sheen among the reported colour details; further separation involves skull anatomy.
Palespotted Cory5.5 cm SL (max)Its colour pattern resembles seussi, but the snout is shorter and rounder; similar colour alone cannot establish the species.
Salt and Pepper Cory3.5 cm SL · source maximumLarge dark flank patches and rows of tail-fin spots mark this small cory. Some flank patches may connect.
Julii Cory5.5 cm SL · source maximumFine markings, a dark flank line and a dorsal-fin patch appear on a pale body. Some markings connect in the reference photograph.
Kane's Cory5 cm SL (max)A darker ground colour, numerous fine spots and marked anal and tail fins contrast with the paler, more coarsely spotted atropersonatum.
Hoplisoma knaacki4 cm SLA bold lateral stripe runs from near the rear dorsal margin to the tail, with a dark-fronted, spotted dorsal and strongly barred tail.
Blackfin Cory5.5 cm SL (max)A clear eye band and a dark lower-dorsal marking extending onto the back contrast with the upper-fin blotch described for gomezi.
Hoplisoma longipinneLength unknownIt resembles long-fin paleatum, but elongated pectorals occur mainly in males here; female long-fin paleatum can also show extended fins.
Hoplisoma loretoense5 cm SL (max)A conspicuous dorsal spine is useful visually, but body depth and spine curvature should also be compared with armatum.
Hoplisoma loxozonum5.5 cm SL (max)A Meta-basin cory also traded as C082; its care profile favors relatively cooler conditions, while detailed pattern diagnosis remains unverified here.
Spotted Cory5.5 cm SL (max)A spotted cory from Guianan coastal rivers, resembling delphax and related forms; a questionable dorsal-ray count in the source is not adopted.
False Bandit Cory5 cm SL (max)The diagonal dorsal stripe forks above the tail base and additional flank markings are present. Unlike davidsandsi, the area between the eye and dorsal bands lacks pale orange.
Bandit Cory5 cm SL · source maximumA pale body carries a dark eye band and a dorsal stripe extending towards the tail base.
Natterer's Cory6.5 cm SL (max)Known as the blue cory, this southern Brazilian coastal species is notable for cooler care requirements; standard warm tropical-cory conditions should not be assumed.
Hoplisoma noxiumLength unknownA dark eye band, pale spotting on the head and forebody, and dark spots on the flanks and dorsal and tail fins occur in a variable pattern.
Flag-tailed Panda Cory5.5 cm SL (max)It shares a similar pattern with sympatric condiscipulus but has a shorter snout; the tail pattern alone is insufficient to distinguish them.
Loreto Panda CoryLength unknownThe available trade record establishes a name, Colombian origin and sale size only; appearance and care remain insufficiently documented.
Peppered Cory7 cm SL · source maximumIrregular dark blotches cover a pale body, sometimes with blue-green reflections. Label long-finned forms separately.
Hoplisoma parallelumLength unknownDark flank stripes, an orange predorsal patch and a black leading dorsal ray are useful features when comparing this fish with similar striped corys.
Hoplisoma polystictum5 cm SL (max)It resembles simile but lacks its bluish tail-base smudge; small size does not remove the need for a group and feeding space.
Hoplisoma rikbaktsaLength unknownA dark facial mask and a thin, sometimes fragmented lateral stripe are conspicuous; mature males develop small odontodes around the cheeks, shoulder and pectoral spines.
Schwartz's Cory7 cm SL (max)A social Purus-basin cory for which the profile recommends at least six; breeding difficulty is separate from routine care requirements.
Smudge-spot Cory6 cm SL · source maximumA smudged dark area near the tail base is characteristic; its apparent colour changes with lighting.
Sterba's Cory6.5 cm SL · source maximumPale dots cover a dark head, with orange along the leading pectoral-fin edges.
Threestripe Cory5.5 cm SL · source maximumA dark flank line accompanies spotted or winding head markings and a dark dorsal-fin area.
Bumblebee Cory4.1 cm SLThe available source documents this species in the aquarium trade but does not provide sufficient identifying features or routine care parameters.
Hoplisoma weitzmaniLength unknownTwo distinct black saddle-like blotches mark the pale body near the back and caudal peduncle, accompanied by a dark eye band.
Bronze Cory7.5 cm SL · source maximumBronze or green reflections and a darker flank area are familiar features of fish sold under this name; lighting changes their appearance.
Osteogaster eques5 cm SL (max)It resembles venezuelanus and some Peruvian C-numbered trade fish; matching colour or a label cannot replace checking provenance.
Green-gold Cory6 cm SL (max)It resembles the bronze cory but is more elongated, with a golden tint to the fins; its care profile favors cooler water.
Rusty Cory6.5 cm SL (max)Its broad upper-body band descends onto the lower tail base, unlike the dorsally restricted band described for zygata. Albino forms do not represent another species.
Black Band Cory7 cm SL (max)The broad upper-body stripe remains on the upper tail base rather than descending ventrally as in rabauti.
Banded 'Cory'10 cm SL (max)A relatively large cory relative whose males defend territories; several males should not be treated as a peaceful group in a small aquarium.
Scleromystax lacerdai3.4 cm SLDark longitudinal bands contrast with a sandy body. Males have a more continuous flank band, while females show an irregular broken pattern; the dorsal rays are banded dark and pale.
Scleromystax prionotos6.5 cm SL (max)A Brazilian coastal armoured catfish needing surface access; rigid pectoral spines require care during transfer.
Cory catfish types: markings and the limits of identification
Corys are a group, not every bottom fish
Other catfish, plecos and loaches have separate galleries. Older references often use Corydoras names where this catalogue uses an updated genus. Search aliases can lead to the same fish; an old and a new scientific name do not create two species.
Three-lined or Julii: why head markings are not enough
Hoplisoma trilineatum and H. julii are similar. Separate dots versus connected head markings offer a clue, not an absolute boundary. The reference notes variable patterns and spotted examples of H. trilineatum, as well as confusion in trade names. Compare the head, flank and dorsal-fin markings together. Without reliable origin information, keep the identification uncertain rather than treating a dotted head as proof.
Bottom feeding does not mean living on leftovers
The three-lined cory reference specifically recommends food that reaches the bottom. It should not depend on scraps missed by fish above it. Substrate maintenance remains the keeper’s responsibility: a fish searching the bottom does not mean the substrate is clean.
Choose a species, then compare its needs
Include social requirements in the plan. Before choosing one of every similar pattern, check the target species’ own group needs, adult size, floor space and temperature. Use the illustrations to compare appearance and the profiles to assess conditions. Unresolved sales identities should also remain unresolved when planning breeding records.