{"product_id":"false-julii-cory-corydoras-trilineatus-freshwater","title":"False Julii Cory (Corydoras trilineatus)","description":"\u003cdiv style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif;color:#1a1a1a;max-width:860px;line-height:1.7;\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"background:#E3F2FD;border-left:4px solid #1E88E5;padding:10px 14px;margin:0 0 14px;font-size:0.95em;\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eIn-store pickup only.\u003c\/strong\u003e Your order is reserved, we hold off on bagging until you arrive so it stays healthy in its display tank.\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe \u003cstrong\u003eFalse Julii Cory\u003c\/strong\u003e (\u003cem\u003eCorydoras trilineatus\u003c\/em\u003e) is the fish nearly everyone actually means when they say \"Julii Cory\": a compact, armored bottom dweller in polished silver, wearing a dense maze of black squiggles over the head and shoulders and a bold solid stripe down the midline. It is peaceful, endlessly busy, and one of the best beginner fish in the hobby, provided you give it two things most tanks get wrong: a real group and a soft floor. Browse the rest of our \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/collections\/fresh-water\"\u003efreshwater livestock and supplies\u003c\/a\u003e to build out the bottom crew.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"background:#FFF8E1;border-left:4px solid #F9A825;padding:10px 14px;margin:14px 0;font-size:0.95em;\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTwo things decide whether this fish thrives.\u003c\/strong\u003e Corys sift food by pushing their faces into the substrate, so sharp gravel grinds their barbels down to stumps and opens the door to infection. They also shoal for a living, and a lone cory or a pair spends its life hiding. Plan on soft sand or smooth rounded gravel, and a group of six or more, before you take one home.\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #1E88E5;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eWhy This One Says False Julii\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTwo nearly identical species get sold under the Julii name, and we would rather label ours correctly than take the easy route. This fish is \u003cem\u003eCorydoras trilineatus\u003c\/em\u003e, properly called the False Julii or Three Line Cory, and it is what the overwhelming majority of United States stores are selling when the tank label reads \"Julii Cory.\" The true \u003cem\u003eCorydoras julii\u003c\/em\u003e is a genuinely uncommon import that we stock separately when we can get it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTelling them apart comes down to the head. Look at the photo: the markings are connected squiggly lines that run together into a maze or fingerprint pattern, and a strong unbroken stripe runs along the midline. A true \u003cem\u003eC. julii\u003c\/em\u003e instead wears small, separate, clearly defined dots with no connected lines, and stays a touch smaller. Care, temperament, diet, and tank requirements are identical between the two, so nothing else on this page would change either way. Ask us at the counter and we will happily walk you through it at the tank.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #1E88E5;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eCare Guide\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTank size:\u003c\/strong\u003e 20 gallon long or larger. These fish work the floor, so length and footprint matter far more than height. A 20 long beats a 29 tall for the same group.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSubstrate is the whole ballgame:\u003c\/strong\u003e soft sand such as \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/estes-natural-aquatic-sand\"\u003eEstes Natural Aquatic Sand\u003c\/a\u003e or \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/estes-crystal-lake-sand\"\u003eEstes Crystal Lake Sand\u003c\/a\u003e lets them do what they are built to do. Sharp or coarse gravel wears the barbels away, and barbel damage is the single most common reason a cory fails in a home tank.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eGroup size:\u003c\/strong\u003e six is the floor, eight to ten is the honest recommendation. In a real group they forage in the open, pile up together to rest, and occasionally sprint across the tank in formation for no reason at all. In a pair they hide.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWater parameters:\u003c\/strong\u003e 72 to 79°F, pH 6.0 to 7.6. Note that this is a cooler running cory than a Sterbai, so it is a poor match for a tank held in the low 80s for discus or German rams.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFeeding:\u003c\/strong\u003e omnivore, and emphatically not a cleanup crew. They will not live on what other fish drop. Feed them directly with sinking food after the lights dim: \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/hikari-sinking-wafers\"\u003eHikari Sinking Wafers\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/repashy-bottom-scratcher\"\u003eRepashy Bottom Scratcher\u003c\/a\u003e gel, or frozen \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/sfbb-bloodworms-cube-1-75oz\"\u003ebloodworms\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHandling:\u003c\/strong\u003e the locking pectoral and dorsal spines tangle in mesh nets instantly, which stresses the fish and can prick you. Guide them into a cup or bag underwater instead.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMedication sensitivity:\u003c\/strong\u003e scaleless and thin skinned. Go easy on copper based treatments and full dose aquarium salt, and ask us before you dose a tank that contains corys.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #1E88E5;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ctable style=\"border-collapse:collapse;width:100%;max-width:640px;\"\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eScientific name\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eCorydoras trilineatus\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCommon names\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eFalse Julii Cory, Three Line Cory, Julii Cory, Leopard Cory\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCare level\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eBeginner\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTemperament\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003ePeaceful\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAdult size\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eAbout 2.5 inches\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMinimum group\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e6, with 8 to 10 preferred\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMinimum tank\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e20 gallons (long footprint)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTemperature\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e72 to 79°F\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003epH\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e6.0 to 7.6\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSubstrate\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eSoft sand or smooth rounded gravel, never sharp\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDiet\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eOmnivore, sinking wafers, gel, and frozen foods\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLifespan\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e5 to 10 years\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOrigin\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eUpper Amazon basin: Peru, Colombia, Ecuador, and western Brazil\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWater type\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eFreshwater\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePickup\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eIn-store pickup at Squeaky's Aquatics\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #1E88E5;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eCompatibility\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is one of the easiest community fish there is. It ignores everything above it and asks only for floor space and calm neighbors. Pair it with small schooling fish like \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/neon-tetra-paracheirodon-innesi-freshwater\"\u003eNeon Tetras\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/cardinal-tetra-paracheirodon-axelrodi-freshwater\"\u003eCardinal Tetras\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/ember-tetra-hyphessobrycon-amandae-freshwater\"\u003eEmber Tetras\u003c\/a\u003e, or \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/brilliant-rummy-nose-tetra-hemigrammus-bleheri-freshwater\"\u003eRummy Nose Tetras\u003c\/a\u003e, with \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/otocinclus-catfish-otocinclus-vittatus-freshwater-algae-eater\"\u003eOtocinclus\u003c\/a\u003e working the glass. Other corys such as the \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/panda-cory-corydoras-panda-freshwater\"\u003ePanda\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/skunk-cory-corydoras-arcuatus-freshwater\"\u003eSkunk\u003c\/a\u003e, or \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/sterbai-cory-corydoras-sterbai-freshwater\"\u003eSterbai\u003c\/a\u003e make good company, though corys shoal most tightly with their own species, so a full group of one kind beats one each of six kinds.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhat goes wrong: anything big enough to swallow a two inch fish, including adult angelfish and most medium to large cichlids. Persistent fin nippers such as tiger barbs and serpae tetras will harass them at rest. Aggressive bottom feeders like larger loaches and territorial plecos will outcompete them at dinner. They are safe with adult shrimp but will happily eat shrimplets, so do not count on a cory tank to grow a shrimp colony. Finally, avoid tanks run hot for discus, and avoid sharp gravel no matter how good it looks.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #1E88E5;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eRecommended Foods \u0026amp; Supplies\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/estes-natural-aquatic-sand\"\u003eEstes Natural Aquatic Sand\u003c\/a\u003e the barbel safe floor they need\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/hikari-sinking-wafers\"\u003eHikari Sinking Wafers\u003c\/a\u003e everyday staple that reaches the bottom\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/repashy-bottom-scratcher\"\u003eRepashy Bottom Scratcher\u003c\/a\u003e invertivore gel they go silly for\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/sfbb-bloodworms-cube-1-75oz\"\u003eSFBB Frozen Bloodworms\u003c\/a\u003e twice weekly conditioning treat\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/anubias-nana-anubias-barteri-nana-potted-freshwater-plant\"\u003eAnubias Nana\u003c\/a\u003e and \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/dwarf-sagittaria-sagittaria-subulata-potted\"\u003eDwarf Sagittaria\u003c\/a\u003e shade and cover over open sand\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/fritz-catappa-leaves-10pk\"\u003eFritz Catappa Leaves\u003c\/a\u003e tannins and a grazing surface\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #1E88E5;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eFAQ\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs this the same fish as a \"Julii Cory\"?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIn practice, yes. Almost every fish sold in the United States as a Julii Cory is this species, \u003cem\u003eCorydoras trilineatus\u003c\/em\u003e. We label it accurately rather than using the more familiar name, and we list the genuine \u003cem\u003eC. julii\u003c\/em\u003e separately when we have it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow many should I actually buy?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eSix minimum, and eight to ten if the tank allows. This is not upselling, it is the difference between a fish that forages in the open all day and a fish that lives under the driftwood. Groups of three or fewer are visibly stressed and far less interesting to watch.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCan I keep them on my existing gravel?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIf it is smooth and rounded, yes. If it is the sharp crushed stuff, please plan on switching. Eroded barbels do not always grow back, and a cory that cannot feel its food stops feeding well.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMine keeps dashing to the surface. Is something wrong?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eUsually no. Corys gulp air and absorb oxygen through their gut, so an occasional sprint up and back is completely normal behavior. Constant surface gulping by the whole group is different and points to poor water quality or low oxygen, so test the tank in that case.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWill they clean my tank?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eNo, and this myth kills a lot of corys. They eat leftovers only incidentally and starve slowly if that is all they get. Feed them a sinking food of their own every day.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAre they safe with shrimp and snails?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAdult shrimp and snails are fine. Baby shrimp are food. A planted tank with heavy cover can still let a shrimp colony grow, but expect a lower survival rate than in a cory free tank.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWill they school with my other corys?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThey will loosely, and mixed cory groups do fine together. That said, each species shoals most tightly with its own kind, so six trilineatus look and behave better than one each of six different corys.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Squeaky's Aquatics","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48878475477211,"sku":"FW1-F7150","price":10.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0767\/5209\/3403\/files\/3d6a5da6-7fde-416e-bed3-38e6ed7981e3.png?v=1786786521","url":"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/false-julii-cory-corydoras-trilineatus-freshwater","provider":"Squeaky's Aquatics","version":"1.0","type":"link"}