Brochis robineae

Native to the dynamic aquatic environments of South America, Robine's Cory is a benthic species that thrives in waters with a noticeable current. Replicating this in a home aquarium is key to its well-being. A tank with good filtration that provides moderate water flow will not only keep the water clean but also encourage the fish's natural activity levels. The substrate should be soft sand or fine, smooth-edged gravel to protect their delicate barbels, which they use constantly to forage. As social animals, they form distinct schools and should never be kept alone. A group of six is the absolute minimum, with larger groups being preferable to promote security and natural shoaling behavior. In a group, these fast swimmers will be more confident and active.

This species is an omnivore with a healthy appetite. A varied diet is essential for their vitality and should consist of a high-quality sinking pellet or wafer as a staple. This should be supplemented multiple times a week with frozen or live foods to provide necessary proteins and enrichment. They are active foragers and will also consume biofilm that grows on surfaces. An interesting physiological trait is their ability to breathe atmospheric air. They will occasionally swim quickly to the surface for a gulp of air, which is absorbed through their intestines. While a normal behavior, frequent trips to the surface may indicate low oxygen levels or other water quality issues that should be addressed. Their active metabolism results in a moderate waste output, making a consistent maintenance schedule with regular water changes crucial for keeping the aquarium environment clean and stable within their preferred water chemistry parameters.

Successfully breeding Robine's Cory is considered a moderately difficult endeavor that requires specific conditioning and environmental triggers. To prepare a group for spawning, they should be conditioned with a nutrient-rich diet high in live and frozen foods for several weeks. A recommended setup includes a higher ratio of males to females, such as two or three males for every one female, to encourage courtship and increase the likelihood of fertilization. Distinguishing between sexes can be challenging, but generally, mature females are larger, broader, and more rounded in the abdominal region when compared to the slimmer, more streamlined males, a difference that is most apparent when viewed from above.

This species is an egg-layer that follows a classic 'T-position' spawning method common to the corydoradinae subfamily. The male and female will form this position, after which the female will cup her pelvic fins together to catch a small clutch of eggs as they are released and fertilized. She will then swim off to deposit the adhesive eggs onto a surface she has previously cleaned, which can include aquarium glass, filter pipes, or the broad leaves of aquatic plants. This process is repeated until the female is spent. A common technique to induce spawning is to mimic the start of the rainy season by performing a large water change with water that is a few degrees cooler than the tank's current temperature. Adult fish will predate on their own eggs, so for a higher yield, the eggs should be carefully removed and placed into a dedicated rearing tank with similar water parameters and gentle aeration. The fry hatch after a few days and will initially feed on their yolk sacs. Once the yolk sac is absorbed, they must be fed microscopic foods like infusoria or liquid fry food, progressing to newly hatched brine shrimp and powdered foods as they grow. Maintaining pristine water quality is paramount for the survival of the fry.