exotic aquarium fish: Corydoras

Data Sheet
Scientific Name:	Corydoras
Other Name:	Corys, Cory Catfish
Family:	Callichthyidae
Origin:	South American
Adult Size:	1.0 to 4.7 in (2.5 cm to 12 cm). On average they are 3cm to 5cm.
Social:	Excellent Community Fish.
Lifespan:	3-4 years
Tank Level:	Bottom	Corydoras GuaporeCorydoras Paleatus
Minimum Tank Size:	10 gallon or larger.
Diet:	Omnivorous.
Breeding:	Difficult Breeders.
Care:	Easy - Intermediate
Ideal pH:	6 - 8
Temperature:	72°F - 78°F(22°C - 26°C)
Tank setup:	Sand Gravel is recommended. See Habitat Section below.
Sexing:	?

Adophi Corydoras

Corydoras' Eggs.

Corydoras AeneusAbino Corydoras

Description:

Corydorasmeans “little armored catfish.”. These catfishes are usually small,between 3-5 cm. Like catfish, most Corydoras has barbels, which are used to forage for food. And like their name implies, these fishes usually have relative tough scales that add as their armor.

Habitat/Care:

Corydoras are generally found in smaller-sized streams, along the margins of larger rivers, in marshes and ponds. They are native to slow-moving and almost still (but seldom stagnant) streams and small rivers of South America where the water is shallow and very clear. Most species are bottom-dwellers, foraging in sand, gravel, or detritus. The banks and sides of the streams are covered with a dense growth of plants, and this is where the corys are found. They inhabit a wide variety of water types but tend toward soft, neutral to slightly acidic or slightly alkaline pH and 5-10 degrees of hardness.

Most corys prefer soft, acidic water. However, they can tolerate a wide range of water conditions. They do not do well in fish tanks with high nitrate levels. This ion leads to the infection of the barbels, which will shorten and become useless. The barbels may also be affected by constant contact with a sharp substrate.

These are easy fish to keep, being peaceful, small, hardy, active, and entertaining. Occasionally they will dart to the surface, sticking their snout above the water for an instant, appearing to take a "breath" of fresh air. This behavior is perfectly normal and is not an indication that anything is wrong with the fish. However, if done in excess, this behavior may indicate poor water conditions.

Mixing with other fishes:

Corydoras are well known among aquarists for its many ornamental species. They are well suited to tropical freshwater community aquariums, as they get along well with other species and are not at all aggressive. Corys are shy fish and it is recommended to keep them in groups of at least six as most species seem to form shoals in the aquarium.

Diet:

Their main food is bottom-dwelling insects and insect larvae and various worms, as well as some vegetable matter.Although no corys are piscivorous, they will eat flesh from dead fishes. Their feeding method is to search the bottom with their sensory barbels and suck up food items with their mouth, often burying their snout up to their eyes, one of the reasons a soft sand substrate is preferable.

Corys are mostly bottom feeders, so they should be offered flake foods (which do sink), sinking pellets, and supplements of live and frozen foods, but care should be taken to prevent all the food from being eaten by the faster-moving fish at the higher levels of the tank.

Breeding:

You need a minimum of two males and a female. These fishes breed best in larger groups as a trio laying eggs tends to trigger reactions from others. Ideally, they should have a large shallow tank. By adding sprinkers or ice cubes to simulate rainfall, these fishes can be tricked to breed in the morning. These fishes are egg layers and tend to lay eggs on the glass or filter stems.

Once the eggs are visible, remove the parents from the tank, as the parents are not above consuming the eggs or the newborns. Use a single-edged razor blade to (carefully) slice off the eggs after they harden and put them in a half-filled pre-prepared tank.