Keep up with bi-weekly water changes to help bring nitrate levels down to safe levels. Typical of any bottom feeder, Corydoras are amazing scavengers. In community tanks, they often find the majority of their food scouring the tank bottom.
That said, Cory catfish owners should never assume that their fish get enough food simply from leftover scraps. Since Corydoras are omnivorous, they should be fed a balanced diet of plants-based and meat-based foods. Personally, I have found Hikari Algae Wafers to be a Cory favorite most flake foods are also sufficient.
For the occasional meaty snack, Omega One Bloodworms are a great choice. Their schooling antics are not only interesting and amazing to watch, but actually help make your catfish happier and healthier. When choosing a species for your tank, there are tons of different options.
They are characterized by a cream-white body with dark black spots on their head and tail. That said, Albino Corys are unique in more than a few ways. Their golden-white bodies and light pink eyes create great contrast against plants and dark substrates, making them a popular pick among cory-lovers. As one of the most popular species of Corydoras, Peppered Corys can be found at most fish stores and online fish retailers.
That said, no two Peppered Corys are the same — a trait that a lot of aquarium owners love. Bronze Corys a color variation of Green Corys are known for being active, expressive, and easy to keep — even when compared to other Corydoras species. They generally grow to about 2. Though the coloration of Bronze Corys may not be as attractive as the other species on our list, they are a great choice for aquarists looking to learn about keeping and breeding Cory Catfish.
One of the rarer species of Corydoras on our list, Julii Corys are admired for their unique striped patterns. Since true Julii Corys are generally hard to find, False Julii Corys Corydoras trilineatus are a great, more prevalent option for those who really love the striped pattern. Like most other Cory species, Corydoras julii and Corydoras trilineatus are easy to care for and thrive in a range of water conditions. One of the most visually appealing species of Corydoras, Sterbai Corys are a favorite among freshwater fish-keepers.
They are known for their energetic, comical personalities and are very tolerant of different water conditions. Like most Corys, Sterbai grow to about 2. Pygmy Corys are definitely the most unique species of Cory catfish on our list.
Although Corydora species-only tanks can be incredible, most aquarium owners like a little variety. We will go through everything you need to set up a gorgeous, natural Cory tank the right way. One of the most important pieces in any Cory catfish tank is the substrate. Sand is, by far, the best option when it comes to keeping Cory Cats. While sand it definitely your best option, it poses a problem with live plants.
Sand has a low CEC meaning it does not absorb nutrients well — therefore, root tabs are necessary to supply your plants with the right nutrients. Place them at the base of your plants underneath the substrate — within a few months, your sand should be mature enough that the root tabs will no longer be necessary. Cory Cats are not picky at all when it comes to plants — in fact, just about any species should work. In addition to plants, Cory Cats love hiding in driftwood and slate shelves.
Feel free to get creative with your aquascaping and layout — this is the time for your creativity to shine! I really recommend going with an LED fixture for multiple reasons — they last longer, they put off much less heat, and produce healthier plants. Although lighting is important for plants, Cory Catfish tend to enjoy low light environments.
That said, Corys are very adaptable and will adjust to just about any light you throw at them. Just try to make sure there are a few caves or similar structures present so that your Corys can escape the light once in a while.
This should go without saying, but make sure your tank is completely cycled before you introduce any fish. If you need any help with this process, read through our complete guide to the fishless cycle. In fact, there is a lot of evidence that plants can actually help speed up the nitrogen cycle.
Use these few weeks to shop around for suitable plants, read about aquascaping, and getting your tank set up exactly how you want it. At some point, most Corydora owners want to breed their fish — luckily, breeding Cory Catfish is actually pretty easy. In this section, we go through everything you know about setting up a breeding tank, encouraging spawning, and raising Cory fry.
Here are a few ways that you can approach putting together a breeding tank:. The dedicated breeding tank route is great for those who keep their Corys in community aquariums. While they will still spawn with other species present, tank mates and even the Corys themselves will make a quick snack of the eggs. That said, moving your breeding colony back and forth from the main aquarium to the breeding tank can be very stressful for your Cories. Personally, I prefer going with strategy 2 — I find it to be easier and safer for my fish.
Ideally, the fry tank should be set up early in the process — you want to give the aquarium enough time to stabilize before adding any delicate fry. The fry tank should be as simple as possible — completely bare is my preference.
A bare aquarium is extremely easy to clean, which makes it much easier to keep water parameters stable which is vital to keeping fry alive. A 10 gallon aquarium should be fine starting out. Use water and filter media from the main tank — rub the filter media on the tank walls and anything else in the aquarium. By transferring enough beneficial bacteria, you can completely skip the cycling process in the new fry tank. For filtration, definitely go with a sponge filter. Corydoras enjoys a dark tank with plenty of roots, leaves, and plants.
Skittish behavior and dark coloring will occur from a high-energy aquascape with too much lighting; the dimmer your tank, the brighter your fish. Gravel or even some larger Aquascaping surfaces are usually preferable to fine sand because they tend to injure their barrels.
Pepper Corys appreciate live foods but can perform well with frozen, flake, granules, and pellet or tablet feeds. Live foods can include bloodworms , brine shrimp, tubifex, and white worms. They are predominantly bottom feeders, and while they will occasionally rise to the top levels in search of food, they eat almost entirely on the bottom.
As a result, make sure that food reaches them. Pellets or tablets that sink are a great approach to ensuring they get their fair amount of the meal. Even though they are active during the day, they frequently feed at night, so drop a few sinking pills in the tank right before turning off the lights to ensure they are adequately provided. Tongs can deliver live food items, which can be stuck around tank decor at the base. All you have to do is feed your Corys the amount of food they can consume in five minutes.
Under the right circumstances, Peppered Cory can live alone in an aquarium. While a Peppered Cory cat can survive independently, this fish prefers to be in two or more groups.
Peppered Cory is among the most gregarious small fish species, and while they may survive on their own, they are frequently happiest in groups because they prefer schooling.
Two or three Peppered Cory of the same species can often cling together inside the tank, moving in perfect synchronicity. Although Peppered Cory gets along with most non-predator fish, they prefer to keep with their own species. This species is best kept in groups of three or more in modest to large aquariums. Also, avoid putting them in the same tank as large or aggressive fish. The pepper cory has razor-sharp barbs under each eye, below the adipose fin, and in front of the dorsal fin, just like the other members of this family.
These, however, might cause complications when attempting to net this small catfish , so caution is advised. This species is generally calm, and despite being very busy during the day, they are also noted for staying in one position for lengthy periods, scouring the surroundings for food scraps.
They prefer to be in the company of their kind and thrive in shoals. This behavior is most commonly observed during courtship or in socially anxious juveniles. Cichlids and aquarium crayfish should not be housed with cory cats. These species can be threatening for the Peppered Cory. To assure success, some breeders prefer an even higher male to female ratio. Small live meals like bloodworms, brine shrimp, daphnia, and tubifex should be fed to the breeders to condition them.
These fish are egg layers, meaning they will consume their eggs, necessitating a separate tank for spawning and raising the fry. When the female is ready to spawn, her girth will noticeably rise, and the fish will generally become more active. The goal is to lower the water temperature by around five degrees to simulate the rainy season, which will lead to spawning.
During the spawning ritual, males are frequently seen shivering. The discharge of sperm and one to ten eggs, which the female will clutch between her cupped pelvic fins, is triggered by this position.
The pair separates once the eggs have been fertilized. The female puts the sticky eggs on a surface she has already picked and cleansed for the purpose. This might happen on the glass, in the filter tubes, or on the plant leaves. Once the eggs have been laid, the males will pursue the female once more, and the mating ritual will begin.
This process is done until to eggs have been fertilized and deposited in the tank. Spawning can last an hour or longer. Adults should be removed from the tank once spawning is complete. The eggs will hatch in four to six days. This can vary depending on the water temperature. The time it takes for eggs to hatch can be extended by up to two days in colder water.
The fry can be fed minimal foods like Cyclops, freshly hatched Brine Shrimp, Micro Worms, or commercially prepared fry diets once the eggs have hatched. Maintain good water quality by changing the water frequently. To distinguish between male and female Peppered Cory, we should look at their overall appearance. Females get noticeably more prominent and more rounded, primarily when inbreeding occurs. Take note of their lack of movement, fading colors, swollen bodies, ragged fins, and hazy eyes.
Open sores, crimson streaks, and protruding eyes are all possible symptoms. Others experience skin and internal organ irritation, as well as respiratory difficulties. They have a habit of darting around, swimming wildly, and clawing when they are agitated. Cotton-like tufts appear on the skin, eyes, and mouth of certain people. Three clear indicators are their lack of movement, appetite loss, and abundant mucus on their film and body.
Hobbyists will often hear a snapping or popping sound as the Cory Cat breaks the water surface and moves quickly to the bottom of the tank. This is normal behavior and should not be considered a sign the water lacks oxygen, provided aquarium care is adequate.
Cory Catfish School Together: Cory Catfish are very social creatures, especially with others of their kind. While Cory Cats can survive alone, they seem much happier in a group of two or more. Two Cory Cats of the same type will often stay close to one another as they move throughout the tank to feed.
This is especially true when they rest. When one Cory Cat takes a break in the corner of a tank, other Cory Cats will almost always be seen an inch or two away. Two Cory Cats of different types may behave the same way.
But in general, Corys of the same type seem to stick together most often. If aquarium size permits, Cory Catfish school in groups of six or more. Cory Catfish schooling behavior is a pretty interesting thing to see as the fish move throughout the tank synced like a precision dance ensemble.
Cory Catfish Size: Depending on the specific type, Cory Catfish size can range from about 1 inch to about 2. Their diameter can range from about the size of a dime to about the size of a nickel. They are thicker near their heads and taper off near the tail, creating triangle shaped look. Cory Catfish also seem to really enjoy a tank with lots of live plants. Live aquarium plants provide cover and hiding places for the fish to rest.
Finally, be sure to include rocks and decorations that provide places to explore. Water Parameters: While Corydoras Catfish can do well in a wide range of water conditions , keeping the fish in established community tank water is a safe bet:. Aquarium pH: 7. While aquarium pH and water temperature can extend beyond the traditional community tank range, its important to maintain stability. So avoid sudden shifts in conditions.
Make sure Ammonia and Nitrite levels are kept at 0 ppm, and control Nitrate buildup with regular partial water changes. Poor Water Conditions: Cory Cats do not do well in tanks with poor water conditions. High Nitrates seem to stress Cory Cats and make them susceptible to diseases. Also avoid excessively stirring up the tank bottom while cleaning.
This can release a large amount of decaying organic matter into the water column and start a bacterial bloom. The same goes for rearranging decorations. Corydoras Catfish may develop white patches around their mouths and barbels.
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