Care Guide for Cory Catfish

 Looking for a peaceful beginner fish with tons of personality? Don't look anymore! Cory catfish, or corydoras catfish, is one of the most popular community fish because they are so happy-go-lucky, easy to breed, and helpful as a clean-up crew. In this care guide, we answer some of the most frequently asked questions about this adorable downstairs resident.

What are Corydoras?

The genus South American catfish has over 160 species. There are several hundred more species that need to be classified. Aquarium hobbies are named after the bony plates of armor on their bodies, 1 to 3 inches long. For protection from predators, these tiny catfish also have sharp hooks in their fins that can sometimes produce a mild venom when stressed (in other words, don't try to catch them with your bare hands).

Depending on the species, most cory catfish enjoy temperatures between 72 and 82 °F. For example, the peppered cory catfish (Corydoras paleatus) and the Julii cory catfish (Corydoras Julii) are found on the colder end of the spectrum, while the starbase cory catfish (Corydoras sterbai) can live in higher temperatures. They also prefer a pH level of 6.5 to 7.8.

In the wild, corydoras have been observed in large groups of 20 to hundreds of similar species. They are most active during the day, with peak activity at dawn and dusk. The most popular varieties in the pet trade include the bronze cory and albino cory (Corydoras aeneus), the panda cory (Corydoras panda), the emerald green cory (Corydoras splendens), and the pygmy cory (Corydoras pygmaeus).

What Size Tank Do Cory Catfish Need?

A 10-gallon aquarium is suitable for dwarf species. However, we recommend at least 20 gallons for all other varieties. As relatively small fish, they crave protection in numbers, so a group of six corydoras or more (all of the same species) is highly suggested. These peaceful lowland dwellers can be kept with any community fish that will not eat or attack them. (For example, don't keep corydoras with goldfish, which get quite large and ingest whatever fits in their mouths.)

A 20-gallon aquarium is a great place to stock fish. It can house a school or cory catfish at the bottom, small tetras in the middle layer and a central fish like a honey gourami. A small ecosystem can be created in your living space with the addition of lush aquarium plants.

Can You Breed Cory Catfish in Aquarium?

Yes, many fish keepers discover that corydoras reproduce randomly without much effort. The male's profile is narrow and slim, and the female is large and round enough to hold all the eggs. You can condition them or prepare them for breeding by giving them lots of nutritious food, such as frozen bloodworms and live blackworms. You can also induce spawning by applying cooler than normal water (by a few degrees) during water changes to mimic the rainy season. Soon, you'll find sticky round eggs on the walls and decorations of your tank.

If you want to breed catfish in the same tank they live in, it helps to provide plenty of covers -- such as a dense mass of java fern or guppy grass -- and remove other species of fish. All fish (including the parents themselves) will happily eat the eggs when given the opportunity. For a higher survival rate, you can remove the eggs to raise the fry in a separate aquarium. Feed baby catfish plenty of live baby brine shrimp and powder fry food, put them over water changes, and enjoy a whole new generation of corydoras.

Good luck with your new Corey Catfish!

For more information visit our website Creature Companion