Keeping And Spawning Corydoras Catfish

Keeping And Spawning Corydoras Catfish

By Clint Norwood Corydoras Species © Eric Smith Origin: South America Adult Size: Up To 3 inches (7.5cm) Water Conditions: Soft To Slightly Hard Preferred Temperature: 68-80F (20-26.5C)

Cute, comical, hardy and friendly, this common aquarium fish adds activity to the lower regions of the tank. Classified as a scavenger, Corys will clean up excess food, up to a point. But they are not garbage disposals and won't eat fish wastes or old rotten food, and they are not a substitute for proper aquarium maintenance. This little catfish is a snap to spawn. Just condition the adults for a week or two in a separate spawning tank of about 10 gallons. Feed large amounts of chopped earthworms and/or grindal worms and keep the water especially clean. On the night before you want them to spawn change about 2 gallons of water and replace it with some cool water of about 60F, this prompts them to spawn. The next morning you will most likely find clusters of eggs attached to the walls of the aquarium. Remove the adults and in about 5 days the eggs will hatch. The fry can be fed micro worms or baby brine shrimp with a little crushed flake food added after about a week.