Leopard Catfish | Corydoras trilineatus
Catfish / Callichthyidae / Leopard Catfish
Profile: Leopard Catfish, Three Line Cory, Juli Catfish
Corydoras trilineatus
Synonyms: Corydoras julii . C. julii is an independent species.
Physical description: The body is stocky and deep, with an arched back. Two rows of bony plates make up each side of the fish. The upper has 21-23 plates, while the lower 19-21. Two pairs are located on the upper jaw. The body color is tan or gray while the belly is white. The body is dotted with dark spots that are brown or black in color. The fins are the tan to bronze in color, also covered with spots. The upper part of the dorsal fin is black. There are dozens of similar Corydoras species that are often confused and sold as this fish.
Size/Length: To 3" (10 cm)
Similar species: Blacktop Cory ( Corydoras acutus ), Agassiz' Cory (Corydoras agassizi ), Half-masked Cory ( Corydoras ambiacus ), Rio Huallaga Cory (Corydoras armatus ), Masked Cory ( Corydoras atropersonatus ), Bond's Cory ( Corydoras bondi ), Elegant Cory (Corydoras elegans ), Harald Schultz's Cory ( Corydoras haraldschultzi ), Leopard Cory (Corydoras leopardus ), Black-fin Cory ( Corydoras leucomelas ), Black Sail Cory ( Corydoras melanistius ), Mini Cory (Corydoras nanus ), Ornate Cory ( Corydoras ornatus ), Spot-fin Cory (Corydoras orphnopterus ), Many-spotted Cory ( Corydoras polystictus ), Robina's Cory (Corydoras robineae ), Schwartz' Cory ( Corydoras schwartzi ), Netted or Network Cory ( Corydoras sodalis ), Maze Cory ( Corydoras sterbai ), Spotted Cory ( Corydoras surinamensis ), Sychri Cory (Corydoras sychri ), Rio Xingu Cory ( Corydoras xinguensis )
H: Along banks of slow-moving rivers with soft bottom material. South America; Ambyiacu and Ucayali Rivers and their tributaries, Peru
A: bottom
Aquarium: 20" (60 cm) or 10 gallons (38 L). As for other Corydoras species. See genus description
Water chemistry: pH 5.8-7.5 (7.2); 2-20 dH (10); 68-82°F (20-28°C)
FOOD: Live; aquatic insects, white worms, Tubifex , Brine Shrimp, insect larvae; tablets; flake
Social behavior: A peaceful, undemanding fish, ideal for community tanks and beginning aquariasts. See genus description for more information.
Social behavior: Smaller tetras, Discus, Dwarf Cichlids, Livebearers, Gouramis, Barbs, Danios, Killifish
Suggested companions: The females are larger and plumper behind their pectoral fins, and less colorful. Easier to sex when viewed from above.
Breeding techniques: Make frequent partial water changes and feed the fish live foods to get them in spawning condition. Spawning is initiated by the addition of cooler water. A single pair or sometimes a group will spawn together. The rest of the breeding procedure is similar to other Corydoras species.
Breeding potential: 7. This catfish is a fairly difficult to breed.
Difficulty of care: 2. A hardy fish recommended for most community tanks.