- Scientific Name: Corydoras aeneus
- Other Names: Green Corydoras
- Family: Callichthyidae
- Origin: Argentina, Colombia, Venezuela
- Adult Size: 2.5 inches (6 cm)
- Social: Peaceful
- Lifespan: 5 years
- Tank Level: Bottom dweller
- Minimum Tank Size: 10 gallon
- Diet: Omnivore
- Breeding: Egglayer
- Care: Easy
- pH: 5.8 - 7.0
- Hardness: 2-30 dGH
- Temperature: 72-79 F (22-26 C)
Description:
Small, active and peaceful, the
Bronze Cory is just one color variation of the same species known as
the Green Cory. In addition to color variations of green, bronze,
albino, and even black, this species is one of many fish that is
sometimes injected with dye to enhance its color. If in doubt, do not
purchase any specimens that are suspected of being color dyed. It is
also wise to avoid any that have damaged barbels, or those having a
sunken belly, which indicates inadequate feeding.
Like
all Corydoras, this species is armored with overlapping scales known as
plates. Their fins possess a leading spine, which can be locked in
place to make it difficult for larger fish to swallow them. This spine
can make netting them difficult, and care should be taken when doing
so. In the home aquarium, Corydoras aeneus are prized for being active,
peaceful, charmingly expressive and easy to care for.
Habitat/Care:
Undemanding,
Corydoras aeneus tolerates a wide variety of water conditions. However,
they prefer an acid to neutral pH, soft to slightly hard water, and
temperatures in the middle 70's.
They are not tolerant of salt and should be moved if the tank is going
to be salted. Like other Corys they prefer the company of their own
kind, and should be kept in schools of a half dozen or more.
Cories
like to dig in the substrate for food. To avoid irritation to their
barbels, use small smooth edged gravel or sand for substrate. They tend
to be shy and should be provided with hiding places (preferably of wood
or stone), as well as floating plants to subdue the lighting. They
prefer low water levels similar to the shallow waters near the banks of
the Amazon tributaries that are their native habitat.
Diet:
Corydoras
aeneus are omnivorous, and will accept everything from flake to frozen
foods. To maintain them in good health a variety of foods should be
offered, including live foods such as worms and daphnia. They are
bottom feeders, which can prove to be a problem due to the fact that
other fish may consume most of the food before it reaches the bottom.
Owners should observe them at feeding time to ensure they are getting a
sufficient amount of food.
Breeding:
Spawning
Corydoras aeneus is relatively easy. Purchasing a half dozen or more
young specimens at the same time will ensure having at least one or two
breeding pairs. Males are usually smaller and more slender than the
females, particularly when viewed from the top. Prior to breeding, they
should be condiitioned with high quality flake foods, as well as fresh
or frozen bloodworms and brine shrimp.
Water should
be on the acidic side. Rainwater is often used to lower the pH, however
care should be taken to ensure that the water is not contaminated with
toxins. A large water change (up to fifty percent) using water that is
several degrees cooler than the breeding tank, will often trigger
spawning. If having difficulties inducing spawning, try simulating rain
by slowly adding water to the tank using a sprinkler.
The
normally shy Corydoras aeneus becomes amazingly active during
courtship. Males will pursue females throughout the aquarium at
breakneck pace, stopping to rub their body and barbels against the
female whenever the opportunity arises. Once the female is in the mood
she will search for suitable egg laying sites, and begins cleaning
several suitable locations. As the courtship progresses, the roles
eventually reverse and the female begins pursuing the male.
Spawning
begins in earnest when the pair assumes the classic T-position, in
which the male is at right angles to the female with her head against
his mid-section. The male will turn his body so that he can grasp the
female's barbels with his pectoral fins. This position triggers the
release of sperm as well as one to ten eggs, which the female will
grasp with her pelvic fins.
Once fertilized, the female will deposit the eggs at a site she has
previously cleaned. The eggs are very sticky and will adhere firmly to
the nesting site. Shortly thereafter the pair will again spawn,
depositing a few eggs each time. This process continues until the
female has released all her eggs, which can number as many as two to
three hundred. Spawning may continue over a period of several days.
Once spawning is complete, the adults should be removed, or the eggs
moved to another tank where the fry can be reared. If moving the eggs,
wait for twenty-four hours before moving them. Eggs are initially
almost clear, but will darken as they develop.
In approximately four to five days the eggs will hatch, although that
may vary based on the environment. After they are hatched the fry will
live on their yolk sac for another three to four days. Initially they
may be fed infusoria or very fine powdered fry food, then move to
freshly hatched brine shrimp, and eventually adult foods. Frequent
water changes (ten percent daily or every other day) are critical
during the grow out period.
Upside Down Catfish
- Scientific Name: Synodontis nigriventris
- Family: Mochokidae
- Origin: Zaire and Niger River basin
- Adult Size: 4 inches (20 cm)
- Social: Peaceful
- Lifespan: 5+ years
- Tank Level: All levels
- Minimum Tank Size: 10 gallon
- Diet: Omnivore, eats most foods
- Breeding: Egglayer
- Care: Easy
- pH: 6 - 7.5
- Hardness: 4-15 dGH
- Temperature: 72-79 F (22-26 C)
Description:
Numbered among the Synodontis
species, the upside-down catfish is aptly named for its upside down
swimming posture. They are a popular species that apparently have been
admired for countless centuries, as their images have been found in
ancient Egyptian art.
Considered a dwarf catfish,
they reach an adult size of 3-4 inches. Like other members of the
Mochikidae family, they have large eyes, a large adipose fin, forked
tail, and three pairs of barbels. Their light brown colored body is
covered with dark brown blotches of various sizes. Interestingly, the
underside of the body is darker hued, which is the opposite of fish
that swim with their belly downwards. This reverse coloration serves to
camouflage them when they swim at the surface of the water.
Habitat/Care:
Well
suited to the aquarium environment, they are peaceful and easy to care
for, but are best kept in small schools. Water should be moderately
soft and slightly acidic to neutral. Temperate is not critical. A
well-planted tank is ideal, preferably using broad-leafed plants, as
they like to browse the undersides of leaves. Driftwood, rock arches,
and caves that provide places to hide, are recommended. It is quite
normal for this fish to hang out on the underside of rocks, leaves, and
driftwood.
Diet:
In nature the upside down
catfish feeds primarily on insects at the surface of the water. They
will also graze on algae to supplement their diet. In the aquarium
environment they adapt readily to all types of foods, from dry to live
or frozen. For optimum health, provide a varied diet that includes
insect larvae when possible.
Breeding:
There
have been a limited number of successful spawnings in an aquarium.
Females are larger, are paler in coloration, and have a plumper more
rounded body, particularly when ready to spawn.
Preparation
with live foods, and softening the water to mimic spring rains will
increase the odds for success. An overturned clay flowerpot or two, or
even some PVC pipe, may be offered as a possible spawning location.
Parents
may be left in the tank after spawning, as they will tend to the brood.
The eggs hatch in approximately two days, and the fry will feed off the
yolk sac, which they carry for four days.
Upon the fourth day,
they will begin eating freshly hatched brine shrimp. In two months the
fry will begin swimming in the characteristic upside down fashion of
adults.
Adolfos Cory
Corydoras adolfoi
Family: Callichthyidae
Origin: Brazil
Adult Size: 2.5 inches (6 cm)
Social: Peaceful schooling fish
Lifespan: 5 years
Tank Level: Bottom dweller
Minimum Tank Size: 10 gallon
Diet: Omnivore, enjoys live food
Breeding: Egglayer
Care: Intermediate
pH: 6.5 - 7.2
Hardness: 5-15 dGH
Temperature: 72-79 F (22-26 C)