Description

🐟 Three-lined Corydora (Corydoras trilineatus) – Graceful, Peaceful, and Perfect for Planted Tanks!

Add elegance and activity to your aquarium with the Three-lined Corydora, a classic bottom-dwelling species known for its shimmering pattern and peaceful temperament. Often confused with the Julii Cory, the Three-lined Cory is slightly larger, hardier, and a favorite among aquarists for its schooling behavior and ease of care.

---

🌿 Quick Overview

• Scientific Name: Corydoras trilineatus
• Common Name: Three-lined Cory, False Julii Cory
• Origin: Amazon River basin – Brazil, Peru, Colombia
• Size: 5–6 cm
• Lifespan: 5+ years with proper care
• Temperament: Peaceful, social, bottom dweller
• Swimming Zone: Primarily bottom, occasionally mid
• Minimum Tank Size: 60L (15 gallons)
• Temperature: 22–26°C
• pH Range: 6.5 – 7.5
• Water Hardness: Soft to moderately hard

---

✨ Key Features

• 🐾 Distinctive Patterning: Iridescent silver body with a bold horizontal stripe and fine reticulated spots
• 🧼 Bottom Cleaners: Constantly sifting substrate for leftover food
• 👯‍♀️ Schooling Behavior: Happiest in groups of 6 or more—active and interactive
• 🌱 Plant & Shrimp Safe: No aggression or plant damage
• 💧 Great for Beginners: Hardy and adaptable to a range of tank conditions

---

🧠 Care Guide

✅ Habitat Setup:

• Substrate: Soft sand is ideal to prevent barbel damage
• Decor: Include driftwood, caves, and dense plants for cover
• Filtration: Moderate flow; avoid strong currents
• Lighting: Low to medium lighting preferred

✅ Diet:

• Omnivorous: Sinking pellets, wafers, frozen bloodworms, daphnia, and veggies
• Feeding Tip: Feed after lights go out to mimic their natural activity cycle
• Frequency: 1–2 small feedings per day

---

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Behavior & Compatibility

• Peaceful and never aggressive, ideal for community tanks
• Best in groups of 6+ to exhibit natural schooling and reduce stress
• Playful foragers—often seen “bouncing” along the bottom or resting in shaded spots

---

🧩 Ideal Tank Mates

Compatible Species	Notes
✅ Tetras (Neon, Ember)	Peaceful mid-dwellers
✅ Rasboras	Same water preferences
✅ Dwarf Gouramis	Gentle top dwellers
✅ Shrimp & Snails	No risk of predation
❌ Avoid: Aggressive or large fish like cichlids, barbs

---

🧪 Water Parameters Checklist

• Temperature: 22–26°C
• pH: 6.5–7.5
• Ammonia/Nitrite: 0 ppm
• Nitrate: < 20 ppm
• Weekly Water Change: 25–30% recommended

---

🌈 Why Choose the Three-lined Cory?

The Three-lined Cory is a beautiful blend of form and function—with its shimmering appearance, peaceful nature, and substrate-sifting habits, it brings life and utility to any planted or community aquarium.

Whether you’re building a biotope, a peaceful community tank, or just want to add a school of lively, eye-catching bottom dwellers, the Corydoras trilineatus is a trusted favorite.

---

✅ Ethically sourced & health-checked
✅ Ideal for beginners & community tanks
✅ Adds movement, balance, and harmony to your aquascape

---

 

🐟 Corydoras Mixing Compatibility Guide (Including Three-lined Cory)

✅ Best Mixed Cory Combos (Compatible Size, Temperament & Water Needs)

Combo	Why It Works
Bronze + Albino	Same species (C. aeneus), school naturally together
Three-lined + Julii	Similar size and behavior; peaceful and active
Sterbai + Orange Venezuelan	Both prefer warmer temps (24–28°C) and have calm temperaments
Peppered + Peru Sp. Cory	Calm, soft-water tolerant, low-light compatible
Three-lined + Panda	Similar size and water parameters, peaceful
Pygmy + Panda	Smaller species, different swimming levels, minimal competition
Pygmy + Ember Tetras/Shrimp	Nano tank-friendly, peaceful community

---

🧠 Tips for Mixing Corydoras:

• ✅ Maintain groups of at least 5–6 per species (Pygmy Corys: 8–10+) to encourage natural schooling and reduce stress
• ✅ Match water parameters (temperature, pH, hardness) across species as closely as possible
• ✅ Use a soft sand substrate to protect barbels
• ✅ Provide plants, caves, and driftwood for hiding and exploration
• ✅ Feed thoroughly to ensure all bottom dwellers receive adequate nutrition

---

⚠️ Mixing Cautions

Avoid This Combo	Reason
Pygmy + Large Corys	Pygmies can be outcompeted or stressed by bigger Corydoras
Sterbai + Panda (Long-term)	Differing preferred temperatures: Sterbai (warmer), Panda (cooler)
Wild-caught + Captive-bred Corys	Risk of disease and behavior mismatch
Corys + Aggressive Bottom Dwellers	Risk of bullying or injury

---

💡 About the Three-lined Cory

• 🐾 Slightly larger (~5–6 cm), peaceful, and schooling species
• 🧼 Active bottom cleaner that sifts fine substrates
• 🌡 Prefers moderate temps: 22–26°C and neutral pH
• 👯 Works well with most community Corys, especially Julii and Panda types

---

🧩 Suggested Cory Pairings by Tank Setup

Tank Type	Recommended Cory Mix
Moderate Temp Community	Three-lined + Julii + Peppered
Warm Planted Tank	Sterbai + Orange Venezuelan
Cooler Peaceful Tank	Panda + Pygmy + Three-lined
Beginner-Friendly	Bronze + Albino + Peppered
Nano Tank	Pygmy + Ember Tetras + Shrimp

---