Aquarium enthusiasts often choose Corydoras catfish because of their unusual appearance and calming temperament. In addition to being fascinating to watch, these tiny, bottom-dwelling fish are essential for maintaining the cleanliness of the tank because they scavenge leftover food.
Corydoras give a unique touch to any aquarium with their scales that resemble armor and their barbels that resemble whiskers. They are gregarious animals that thrive in groups, which is why they are a great addition to community tanks. They are a fantastic choice for both novice and seasoned aquarists because they are resilient and easy to maintain.
| Feature | Description |
| Origin | South America |
| Size | Typically 2-3 inches |
| Diet | Omnivorous, enjoys pellets and live food |
| Tank Mates | Peaceful, good with other community fish |
| Water Temperature | 72-78°F |
| Lifespan | Up to 5 years with proper care |
Speckled Corydoras
There are speckled Corydoras catfish in my aquarium in addition to Gyrinocheilus and Ancistrus catfish. Fish that are calm and get along with everyone are corydoras catfish. They are immune to a wide range of illnesses and are not picky about food, the hydrochemical makeup of water, or water temperature.
Description
Genus Corydoras (lat. Corydoras), family Callichthyidae, contains the speckled catfish, also known as the straw armored catfish, marbled catfish, or common catfish. Over one hundred species exist. Compared to men, females are paler and fuller. Only Dianemas, Callichthys, and Hoplosternums construct a foam nest; they don’t care about the substrate. On days 5 through 9, fry swim. A common name for corydoras and common catfish, this fish is popular for peaceful bottom aquariums.
Homeland: the La Plata estuary basin, one of South America’s freshwater reservoirs in the southeast. The belly is pinkish-golden, and the back and fins are pale brown with numerous dark spots. The upper lip bears two pairs of barbels. The male is typically 1-2 centimeters smaller than the female, who can grow up to 7 centimeters.
A spotted male corydora
Spotted corydoras, female
Female dorsal fins are rounded, while male dorsal fins are pointed and triangular in shape. The peaceful, schooling speckled catfish are most active during the day and peak in activity at dusk. They have a lifespan of 6–8 years (or up to 15 years), and at one year old, they reach sexual maturity. They exist in veil and albino forms.
Corydoras catfish maintenance
Water that is too warm should never be kept for these armored catfish. Other than that, they are very easygoing and make great fish for an unheated aquarium in a living room with water that is between 18 and 22 °C.
Spotted corydoras catfish, however, are fantastic. They also tolerate temperatures up to 26°, without which they couldn’t be kept in regular aquariums. Other common species, like the golden or variable catfish, should be kept at considerably higher temperatures (between 24 and 28 °C).
Spotted corydoras can be kept in small aquariums with the ratio of one liter of water to every one centimeter of fish length being the main focus. For soil, use coarse sand and small pebbles. Water with recommended hydrochemical parameters has an acidity (pH) of 6 to 8 and a hardness of 5 to 20 degrees. Corydoras catfish are bottom fish that only very rarely come to the surface to try dry food from the feeder or to breathe in atmospheric air.
If your corydora catfish frequently rise to breathe, the aquarium needs to be aerated. Since corydoras catfish live their entire lives on the bottom, it is important to select the right aquarium shape. An aquarium with a large bottom area would be the best choice.
This kind of catfish likes to dig in the ground and agitate the water, so a mechanical filter must be installed in the aquarium. It’s ideal to perform a 25% water change once a week. Corydoras catfish reside in schools and enjoy hiding in places with vegetation that they can dig through. Additionally, keep in mind that Corydoras catfish do not fare well in salinity, so alternative methods of treating illness must be used if they become ill.
The peaceful, bottom-dwelling corydoras catfish is well-suited for community aquariums due to its unique armored body and gregarious nature. Because they require little maintenance, these resilient fish are a favorite among novice and seasoned aquarium keepers alike.
What to feed Corydoras
Being omnivorous fish, corydoras catfish will eat both plant and animal matter. The diet can include a variety of special feeds designed for bottom fish. Other plant-based additives include spirulina tablets, white bread crumb, and steamed semolina. However, the food will only be complete if it contains live food.
Since corydoras catfish are inert in the water column, they will require the introduction of large amounts of floating live food such as daphnia, cyclops, and corethra. However, tubifex, bloodworm, enchytraeus, aulophorus, and cut earthworm are among the bottom organisms that the catfish Corydoras can easily adapt to.
It should be noted that a lot of aquarists mistakenly feed corydoras catfish only what sinks to the bottom, as bottom fish require different nutrition.
Breeding corydoras
By periodically adding up to 30% cold fresh water with a high oxidation-reduction potential RH, aquarists associate breeding corydoras catfish and their relatives in the family of armored catfish (Callichthyidae) as well as representatives of the genus Hoplosternum (Hoplosternum thoracatum) with a temperature decrease of 4-5 °C.
A drop in atmospheric pressure, which happens when a cyclone passes and typically brings rain, thunderstorms, etc., will be the stimulus. The first one to two weeks of a producer’s preparation are crucial. This includes providing them with an intense diet of premium food, mostly derived from animals. The amount of food ought to be so abundant that the fish practically stumble upon it with each breath and motion.
Maintaining cleanliness is also essential to prevent live dead food from contaminating the aquarium’s water. Additionally, it’s critical to switch up your favorite foods as much as possible: crushed earthworms, red daphnia, enchytrae, bloodworms, and tubifex—which is crucial. Regular water changes and an aquarium with a functioning biological filter are crucial.
Spawning of Corydoras
Two or three males for every female producer are separated. Witnessing the spawning of speckled corydoras is an amazing experience. The female presses up against the male and swallows the milk before heading to her designated spot to lay gooey eggs on windowsills or greenery. There are two theories as to how the female fertilizes the eggs: in the first, it is thought that the milk travels through her body and gills to coat the eggs, and in the second, the milk is swallowed by the female and enters her intestines to coat the eggs.
I find the first option to be more likely. Reducing the water hardness in the spawning tank is necessary for proper egg fertilization. The suggested values are 8° for hardness, 7.2 for acidity, and 22–26°C for temperature. A single female can lay up to 200 eggs, but reports from literary sources suggest that the quantity of eggs can reach twice that amount. Aeration is installed and the producers are removed once spawning is complete. The spawning tank should have a minimum size of 40 by 25 by 25, but it is preferable to choose one that is larger in order to accommodate growing fry.
Corydoras eggs
Methylene blue needs to be added to the water to stop fungus from growing on the eggs. Additionally, removing dead whitened eggs is advised. For these purposes, a simple device made of a piece of rigid wire with a thin flexible tube from the system attached is ideal.
You must pinch one end of the tube with your finger and bring the other end up to the whitened egg in order to pick it up. The egg and water will be drawn into the tube once the tube’s end has been unclenched. Extract the egg from the aquarium by pinching the tube’s end once more.
Cordory fry
Larvae start to appear on the fourth or fifth day. They start to swim and feed when their yolk sacs dissolve, which usually happens on days five or six, depending on the water’s temperature. Since corydoras fry prefer clean water and cannot withstand abrupt pH changes brought on by water pollution, they should be fed frequently while also having their cleanliness closely observed.
You can use the following as an appetizer: ciliates, egg yolk, brined shrimp nauplii, followed by crushed aulophorus and small daphnia. Fry that are still growing should be put in additional aquariums, preferably with soil because they like digging in it.
Any aquarium would benefit greatly from the aesthetic and functional addition that corydoras catfish bring. They get along well with a variety of tankmates because of their calm disposition, and their propensity to scavenge the tank floor keeps things tidy.
These resilient fish are a fantastic option for novice and expert aquarists alike because they require little maintenance. Corydoras can bring life and interest to any aquatic setup with their endearing behavior and diverse range of species.
Watching these amazing little creatures flourish will be your reward if you provide them with a clean tank, ideal water conditions, and a well-balanced diet. Beyond just having a lovely appearance, corydoras catfish are an integral component of a thriving and healthy aquarium community.
