Aquarium fish catfish: corydoras and the smallest catfish

One of the most interesting species of freshwater fish is the catfish, which you have undoubtedly heard of if you enjoy aquarium fish. The tiniest catfish and Corydoras are two of the many varieties that truly stand out. These adorable little fish are well-liked by both novice and experienced aquarium keepers because they add personality and intrigue to any aquarium.

Corydoras catfish are especially popular because of their distinctive look and lively nature. These little guys, who go by the nickname "Cories," are easily recognized thanks to their armored bodies and barbels that resemble whiskers. These fish are gregarious and prefer to swim in groups, which makes the bottom of your aquarium lively. They are a wonderful addition to a variety of tank setups due to their gentle nature and ease of maintenance.

Little catfish are amazing, especially the tiniest species. In addition to being incredibly cute, these tiny wonders provide an amazing look at the variety of aquatic life. They can fit into smaller tanks or spaces that other fish might not be suitable for, and they display many of the same fascinating behaviors as their larger relatives despite their smaller size.

Aquarium enthusiasts can find something unique in both Corydoras and tiny catfish, whether they are drawn to the playful antics of the former or the delicate charm of the latter. They demonstrate that wonderful things truly do come in little packages by bringing vivid life and an additional layer of intrigue to your underwater environment.

Corydoras catfish – favorites of aquarists

Since it is impossible to include every corydoras catfish representative in a single article, we only concentrate on those that have become extremely well-liked by aquarium hobbyists.

Venezuelan (lat. Corydoras aeneus var. venezuelanus orange)

Dimensions: up to 5 cm. The ideal water temperature range for this kind of catfish is between 25 and 27 °C. It should also be soft and low in acidity. Most of the aquarium needs to be heavily planted with plants in order to achieve the highest color saturation of fish.

Because catfish hide from bright lights, avoid open areas, and dislike being the center of attention, it is best to feed them in the evening at twilight.

Spawning is encouraged when the water is changed and the temperature drops. Every female lays between thirty and forty eggs, which hatch after four days.The fry can be fed live dust after an additional three days.

Golden (lat. Corydoras aeneus)

Dimensions: up to 6 cm. This species needs to be kept between 23 and 25 °C in soft water with up to 10 parts calcium oxide.

Very mobile and active during the day, not fussy about the quality of the water, and friendly toward the armored catfish that live nearby.

Readily multiplies in a standard aquarium. Often, spawning takes place at night. Up to 500 eggs can be laid by the prolific female, from which larvae hatch three days later. The fry can be moved to feeding with cultured microorganisms after an additional three days. These catfish come in a variety of colors, and it’s unclear if they belong in the same species as golden Corydoras or not.

Axelrod (lat. Corydoras axelrodi)

Dimensions: up to 5 cm. The ideal temperature range for them is 24 to 26 °C in soft water. Among aquarists, Axelrod’s catfish is widely recognized and used. Easy maintenance: accustomed catfish spend their days looking for food, which needs no particular preparation.

When fed regularly and in large quantities, females spawn quickly. Approximately 40 eggs are laid in a clutch, however up to 100 eggs have been known to spawn. The female attaches the 1.5 mm-diameter eggs to the underside of the plant leaves. Four days pass before the fry come out of the egg, and it is advised to start feeding them brine shrimp three days after they are formed.

Spotted-tailed (lat. Corydoras caudimaculatus)

Dimensions: up to 6 cm. The spotted-tail catfish prefers water that is between 20 and 26 °C. A catfish that likes water that is soft, clear, low in acidity, free of nitrates, and that can have up to 30% of its total volume replaced every week.

They spawn frequently and willingly without lowering the water’s temperature because they have a varied diet. The roughly 2 mm-sized eggs hatch in three days, and the larvae that follow emerge. For three days, they feed on the yolk sac, and then, after an additional two days, they are able to successfully deal with the planktonic organism known as ciliates. The first two months following hatching are when this species grows the fastest, and after it reaches a size of two centimeters, it starts to grow more slowly.

Gossie (lat. Corydoras gossei)

Dimensions: up to 6 cm. It is best to use soft water that is between 24 and 26 °C for keeping this kind of catfish. It is suitable even for inexperienced aquarists, as long as they can master the maintenance of a permanent habitat. It takes on a contrasting hue in dimly lit aquariums with lots of plants, which the fry themselves are born with.

Gossie catfish females can lay anywhere from 80 to 300 eggs, depending on their size, age, and condition. They are also very prolific. After three days of maturation, the eggs give birth to larvae that can successfully eat Artemia nauplii and enchiteria worms after two days of adaptation.

Diagonally striped (lat. Corydoras melini)

Dimensions: up to 6 cm. It needs to be stored in soft water that is between 20 and 26 °C in temperature. The surface should be smooth, fine-grained stone without jagged edges, or sandy, coarse sand.

It is advised to move them into a different aquarium for breeding, as the female will drop eggs all over the bottom. The larvae emerge in two days, and it is best to feed the fry Artemia nauplii after they have three days to absorb the yolk sac.

Napo (lat. Corydoras napoensis)

Dimensions: up to 5 cm. Water for keeping should have a calcium content of no more than 10% and be between 23 and 25 °C (soft).

This species can be identified by its clear, vibrant color when it is in an aquarium that has been darkened and has plants floating on the water’s surface. The caudal fin of Napo is speckled with black, in contrast to other Corydoras of a similar hue.

Large fish of other species cannot be kept with these catfish. The spawning process occurs in open water, near the surface. The males’ sides turn lilac during mating season.

The females deposit up to 300 minuscule, one-millimeter eggs within and around plant bushes. Three days after the larvae hatch, the fry are prepared to eat microscopic worms and ciliates. The eggs mature in four days. The Napo catfish grows at an extremely slow rate.

Speckled (lat. Corydoras paleatus)

Dimensions: up to 6 cm. The ideal water temperature for comfortable maintenance is between 22 and 26 °C. The majority of peaceful fish species can coexist peacefully with the active daytime lifestyle of the spotted catfish.

Reproduction is best done in cool water (fertilization rate drops dramatically in warm water). The female can lay up to 250 eggs. The larvae hatch in four days, and the fry start eating on their own two days later. They prefer the food that Artemia nauplii has to offer. After two to three months, a fast growth rate indicates a high degree of parental similarity.

Panda (lat. Corydoras panda)

Dimensions: up to 5 cm. This species’ good health and active behavior in the aquarium are guaranteed by soft water that is between 22 and 25 °C in temperature. Panda catfish require shelters and multiple locations with plant-shaded areas, in addition to proper aeration, filtration, and frequent water changes. It is possible to keep them with different small tetras and dwarf cichlids, as pandas have demonstrated.

Panda catfish reproduce all year long. Up to twenty eggs are laid by the female in Java moss or delicately feathered plants. Larvae emerge after four days, and after two more days, they start eating Artemia nauplii. This Corydoras species is distinguished by its extremely sluggish growth rate.

Due to its unique coloring and behavior, the panda catfish has become very popular and well-established among aquarium enthusiasts.

Sterba (lat. Corydoras sterbai)

Dimensions: up to 6 cm. a species of catfish that thrives in warm environments, preferring 24 to 28 °C of clear, soft water with low acidity. Aeration is key to the successful maintenance of Sterba catfish. A well-thought-out feeding schedule is essential for Sterba Corydoras. This species needs to be fed often and on schedule because it does not handle fasting well.

These species’ large females can lay up to 200 eggs, attaching them, if possible, to the substrate suspended in the current. The eggs take four days to mature before the larvae hatch; by the third day, they are free to move around the aquarium and consume the starter food.

Because fry respond so strongly to pH changes, it is important to keep in mind that maintaining the purity and consistency of the water during the first three weeks is crucial to ensuring the young fish’s survival. After a month, fry become less water-demanding and more resilient, and they don’t pose a significant maintenance risk going forward.

Corydoras: care and maintenance

Group the Corydora species that are being presented into groups of five to twenty. With the exception of panda catfish, which require a smaller volume of the common aquarium—112 liters—the size of the species aquarium for catfish should be at least 54 liters, and the volume should be at least 160 liters when keeping the same school in a shared aquarium.

Women are distinguished by their larger stature and wider backs. Other, more noticeable differences are found only in two species: the male corydoras is smaller than the female and has a more distinct pattern, and the male speckled catfish is much smaller and more graceful.

It is advised that all Corydora species be fed a diet of dry, frozen, and live food.

Corydoras have the same ability to breathe atmospheric air as labyrinth fish. Since they lack a labyrinth apparatus, catfish use their digestive tract to absorb oxygen after swimming to the water’s surface and swallowing an air bubble.

It is not advised to use salt in an aquarium containing corydoras for the treatment or prevention of illnesses because they do not tolerate salt water well.

While the process of spawning varies slightly amongst species, it is generally the same. A rise in protein feed, a drop in temperature, and regular water changes are the stimuli. Typically, spawning occurs in groups; males start chasing females, who then select one, gather his milt in their mouths, and deposit the eggs in designated fin pockets. She then selects the most alluring surface to lay her eggs on, coats it with the male’s milt, and does so.

After breeding, adult fish are taken out of the spawning tank because their parents don’t give a damn about their young and may even be a threat to them. If the spawning took place in a public aquarium, the eggs are taken out of the surfaces carefully, or if they are adhered to the glass, they are cut off with a knife.

The tiniest catfish species and Corydoras catfish are excellent options for bringing some personality and variety to your aquarium. These fish offer useful advantages like keeping the tank clean in addition to their distinctive behaviors and colors. Corydoras are perfect for community tanks because of their calm disposition and fun antics. Their bottom-dwelling behavior keeps the aquarium’s environment healthier by agitating the substrate and preventing the buildup of debris.

Conversely, the tiniest varieties of catfish are ideal for individuals seeking a more manageable yet equally captivating addition. These little fish have a lot of personality and give your setup a unique visual appeal despite their small size. For enthusiasts who value subtle beauty in their aquatic displays, they can make a delightful focal point and often fit in well with smaller aquariums.

Adding these catfish to your aquarium not only makes it more visually appealing, but it also helps maintain a healthy, harmonious aquatic ecosystem. For experienced or novice aquarium keepers alike, corydoras and small catfish provide an easy way to add variety to your tank. Their gentle disposition and variety of species make them adaptable options that work well in a wide range of aquarium configurations.

For your aquarium, Corydoras catfish and their smaller cousins are an excellent option if you’re an avid aquarium fish enthusiast. These calm, little catfish are great tank companions and algae eaters in addition to being charming with their antics and unique appearance. It is made simpler for both beginning and experienced aquarium hobbyists to enjoy and take care of these lovely fish by exploring the special qualities of Corydoras catfish, such as their habitat preferences, care requirements, and how they compare to the tiniest catfish species.

Video on the topic

I run to change the water if I see this behavior of catfish