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Species profile

Amanda Jane Corydoras

Brochis amandajanea

Common names: Amanda Jane Corydoras, Amanda Jane Cory, Amandajanea Corydoras

Recognized speciesCorydoras
Amanda Jane Corydoras (Brochis amandajanea)

Adult size

Up to 6 cm

Typical adult length 4.5–6 cm.

Up to 6 cm

Countries of origin

  • See all stock from Brazil

Good fit for your tank?

Good fit for

  • An experienced keeper maintaining a rare species in a group
  • A shaded sandy aquarium with peaceful midwater fish
  • A provenance-conscious breeding or study collection

Think carefully if

  • The identification is based only on a trade name
  • The aquarium is crowded with other bottom feeders
  • You need a species with well-established breeding instructions

Amanda Jane Corydoras is a peaceful South American callichthyid catfish recognised by a pale body marked with dark spots, a strong dorsal patch, and a long-snouted Brochis profile. It should be kept in a same-species group over fine sand in clean, oxygen-rich freshwater.

Appearance and Identification

A robust, intermediate long-snouted Brochis with a grey-beige base and variable dark spotting or blotching across the body and fins. Pattern variation is considerable, and it may be confused with closely related forms from the upper Rio Negro.

Identify this profile by the combination of a pale body marked with dark spots, a strong dorsal patch, and a long-snouted Brochis profile. Older sources commonly list this fish as Corydoras amandajanea; the current profile follows the accepted or revised placement Brochis amandajanea. Colour alone can be unreliable in stressed, juvenile, or poorly conditioned fish, so body shape, snout length, fin pattern, and provenance should also be checked.

Mature females are usually larger and fuller through the abdomen, while males remain slimmer. The difference is easiest to see from above, and juveniles should not be sexed by pattern alone.

Tank Requirements

Suggested filter
About 300–380 litres an hour
Suggested heater
About 75–125 W for this tank
Minimum tank volume
75 litres
Minimum tank length
75 cm
Minimum group size
6
Recommended group size
8
Activity level
Moderate
Flow preference
Moderate
Planting preference
Moderately planted
Hiding places
Yes
Lid recommended
Yes
Jumping risk
Low

Provide a larger bottom area than for small short-snouted corys, using fine sand, open foraging lanes, sturdy cover and clean, well-oxygenated water. Long-snouted forms probe deeply into the substrate and should not be kept over sharp or compacted gravel.

Behaviour and Tankmates

A peaceful shoaling catfish that may remain reserved in a small group or brightly lit, exposed tank. Once settled with enough companions and cover, it becomes an active bottom forager and joins regular group movements.

Keep at least 6 of the same species or coded population, with 8 or more preferred where space permits. A mixed collection of single corys does not fully replace a proper same-species group.

It is not territorial. Males may briefly chase one another or follow females during courtship, but sustained aggression is unusual when the group has adequate floor space.

Suitable with peaceful community fish and other calm bottom dwellers when the aquarium has ample floor space. Avoid aggressive cichlids, large predators and crowded mixtures of bottom feeders that compete for the same foraging area.

Check tankmates for this species

Water Parameters

Temperature
22–27 °C
pH
4.8–7
GH
0–8
KH
0–4
TDS
20–150
Stability importance
Critical

Soft, mildly acidic water best reflects the natural habitat and usually gives the most reliable breeding results. Stable clean water is more important than forcing an exact pH.

Parameter caveat
Acclimate slowly to changes in temperature, pH, and conductivity. Corydoradine catfish periodically gulp atmospheric air, so the water surface must remain accessible. Warm water holds less oxygen and requires stronger aeration.

Feeding

Diet types
Insectivore, Omnivore, Scavenger
Feeding frequency
Daily
Preferred foods
  • Quality sinking catfish pelletUse a small sinking pellet or wafer as a staple. Feed enough for every fish to reach food after faster midwater fish have eaten.
  • Frozen or live daphnia and cyclopsSmall crustacean prey supports natural foraging and is useful for conditioning breeding groups.
  • Frozen bloodworm, black mosquito larvae, or tubifexOffer clean, appropriately sized portions in rotation rather than as the only food.
  • Soft vegetable-based waferProvides dietary variety, although these catfish are not algae-eating cleanup animals and still require protein-rich food.

Offer substantial sinking pellets or granules plus varied frozen or live invertebrate foods. Long-snouted fish spend much of their time probing for buried food, but the substrate should not be allowed to collect uneaten material.

Feed after faster surface and midwater fish have taken their share, and confirm that every individual reaches food. Use small portions once or twice daily, remove persistent leftovers, and vary prepared and frozen or live foods.

Breeding

Breeding type
Egg Layer
Breeding difficulty
Difficult
Breeding temperature
24 °C
Breeding pH
6
Brood or egg count
Usually 40 to 150 adhesive eggs.
Incubation
4 days
Parental care
None
Baby foods
  • Newly hatched brine shrimpA primary growth food after fry have absorbed the yolk sac; feed small rinsed portions several times daily.
  • MicrowormsUseful for newly feeding fry that remain close to the substrate.
  • Vinegar eels or cultured infusoriaHelpful for the smallest species and uneven broods during the first feeding stage.
  • Fine powdered fry foodUse sparingly as a supplement and siphon uneaten material to protect water quality.

Detailed aquarium breeding records are limited. It is expected to use the usual Corydoradinae T-position and attach adhesive eggs to firm surfaces, but triggers, egg output and fry requirements should not be presented as reliably established for this species.

Habitat and Origin

Geographic origin
Amazon Basin, Brazil, South America
Natural habitat
Freshwater River, Freshwater Stream, Sand/Mud Substrate
Aquarium contexts
Breeding Aquarium, Freshwater Aquarium, Freshwater Community, Planted Aquarium
Audience level
Advanced

Classification

Profile type
Recognized species
Genus
Brochis
Family
Callichthyidae
Species group
Corydoras, Fish
Previous scientific names
Corydoras amandajanea, Name supplied in older aquarium literature or trade usage. The current profile uses Brochis amandajanea under the revised Corydoradinae classification.

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