Three-lined cory
Corydoras trilineatus
The spotted, striped cory usually sold as the julii cory; peaceful, easygoing and happy in a group of six over sand.
Key facts
- Body length
- 2.2 in without fins
- Minimum tank
- 13 gallons
- Group
- 6+
- Temperament
- Peaceful
- Care level
- 1 / 5
- Lifespan
- Not well documented
- Diet
- Sinking wafers, pellets, frozen bloodworm
- Origin
- South America
- Hardier than48%
- Bigger than33%
- Calmer than68%
Water: their range vs yours
Three-lined cory tank mates
- Neon tetraGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Harlequin rasboraGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Fancy guppyGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Panda corydorasGets along in shared water.Good mates
- OtocinclusGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Cherry shrimpGets along in shared water.Good mates
- BettaGets along in shared water.Good mates
- AngelfishGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Tiger barbGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Amano shrimpGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Black neon tetraGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Black widow tetraGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Chinese algae eaterChinese algae eater attacks fish with a similar shape or colour: Three-lined cory.Risky
- Clown loachClown loach attacks fish with a similar shape or colour: Three-lined cory.Risky
- DemasoniDemasoni attacks fish with a similar shape or colour: Three-lined cory.Risky
- Firemouth cichlidFiremouth cichlid can eat young or small Three-lined cory; adults are big enough to be safe.Risky
- Golden mbunaGolden mbuna attacks fish with a similar shape or colour: Three-lined cory.Risky
- GoldfishGoldfish can eat young or small Three-lined cory; adults are big enough to be safe.Risky
- Blue dolphin cichlidBlue dolphin cichlid can eat Three-lined cory: prey body depth 1.2 cm ≤ mouth 6.3 cm.Avoid
- Convict cichlidConvict cichlid can eat Three-lined cory: prey body depth 1.2 cm ≤ mouth 3.8 cm.Avoid
- Iridescent sharkIridescent shark can eat Three-lined cory: prey body depth 1.2 cm ≤ mouth 32.5 cm.Avoid
- Jewel cichlidJewel cichlid can eat Three-lined cory: prey body depth 1.2 cm ≤ mouth 3.8 cm.Avoid
- OscarOscar can eat Three-lined cory: prey body depth 1.2 cm ≤ mouth 12.3 cm.Avoid
- SeverumSeverum can eat Three-lined cory: prey body depth 1.2 cm ≤ mouth 5.0 cm.Avoid
How we check
The numbers the tank model uses for three-lined corys: water as ideal and tolerated ranges, bioload from adult mass, space, flow and how they act on other species.
- Standard length
- 5.5 cm (SL)
- Adult mass
- 2.50 g
- Bioload at 25 °C
- 1.99 BU
- Min. water
- 41 L net
- Min. footprint
- 45 × 30 cm per group
- Group
- 6+ (best 8)
- Swims in
- bottom
- Flow
- low
- Body / fins
- fusiform, normal fins
- Diet type
- omnivore
- Fin nipper
- none
- Sensitive to
- copper
Care notes
Most fish sold as Corydoras julii are actually three-lined corys from South America. They are patterned with spots and lines, and they forage busily across the bottom.
They suit community tanks from 10 gallons with an 18-inch footprint. Keep six or more on fine sand and feed sinking food; they will pick off eggs and fry but leave other fish alone.
Questions
What size tank does a three-lined cory need?
At least 13 gallons (41 litres of water after decor). Adults reach about 2.2 inches without fins.
How many three-lined corys should be kept together?
Keep at least 6, ideally 8 or more: fewer feel exposed and hide or turn nippy.
What water do three-lined corys need?
72–79 °F, pH 5.8–7.2 and 1–12 dGH. Three-lined corys come from South America.
How long do three-lined corys live?
Not well documented with good care.
What fish can live with three-lined corys?
Good tank mates include Neon tetra, Harlequin rasbora, Fancy guppy, Panda corydoras and Otocinclus. Each is checked both ways for size, fin nipping, temperament, territory and shared water.