My three-striped cory doesn't look like a three-striped cory... why?

Question

I bought 3 three-striped cories (julii cories) and one of them looks like a mixed breed (?)
1. It has stripes down its eyes like a panda cory
2. It is darker than my other two julii cories
3. It's dorsal fin is almost completely black
4. It still has spots, but they are a lot blotchier and they are rounder than other julii cories' stripes
I'm just wondering... why do you think that cory looks like that? It was labled as a julii cory...

Answer 1

There are literally hundreds of cory species and some of them are quite difficult to tell part visually. Obviously your "odd man out" isn't a C. julii, but it would be very difficult at te best to be sure of what you have based on a discription. In fact, it would be difficult from a picture in some cases. Probably the best thing for you to do is google for images of corys and try to find one that best matches yours.

MM

Answer 2

If the fish are wild caught you will often get an odd one in the group that is sold to the local fish store. That's how I used to find some of my best finds, looking in the tanks for just such things. Two such were C. napoensis and C. Nanus.

On another note, check species online. The majority of C. Julii sold in LFS are not actually Julii but instead the much more common Reticulatus variety of corydoras.

Hope this helps.

Answer 3

Could be a hybrid, also might be a false three-striped cory.