Looking for a fish that will keep you smiling from the minute it enters your tank? Look no further! The cory catfish, or Corydoras Catfish- is one of the most popular community tanks in all of existence.
Cory catfishes are some of my favorite fish. They’re so friendly and happy-go-lucky!
In this Cory Catfish care guide, you’ll learn all about these adorable bottom dwellers and their care requirements for beginners.
Cory Catfish Facts & Overview
The Cory catfish is a peaceful and bottom-feeder fish that can live happily with other gentle fish in an aquarium. It belongs to the genus of about 170 species called “Corydoras,” usually found near rivers or lakes of South America.
These bottom dwellers are named after the bony plates of armor on their bodies.
Cory catfish also have a few spines to ward off predators, and they can release venom from these fleshy fins when stressed or threatened. So it’s not something you want to mess with – don’t try to touch them with bare hands!
Cories are one of the most exciting bottom-feeder fish I have ever had. They’re active in groups and seem attracted by light, which may explain why they congregate during daylight hours!
The appearance of Cory Catfish
Cory cats are a genus of fish that can be found in many parts of the world. They have armored skin with short faces and flat underbellies, which they use to prop themselves up when resting on their pectoral fins or dorsal fin like an erect sail. Their tails often fork at one end, but this varies between species; some may even lack forked ends completely!
Cory catfish can detect food with their barbels. Their wide eyes and clear ring around them also make them look aware of everything going on in an instant!
Cory Catfish Size
The Cory Catfish can vary in size from about 1 inch to 2.5 inches long, with a diameter that ranges anywhere between the size of your thumbnail and an old penny’s thickness.
They are thicker near the head region, tapering off towards its tail side for what we know as this fish triangle look!
The lifespan of Cory Catfish
Cory catfish are often more durable and hardy than you might think. They can live up to five years, or even longer if the right conditions exist!
However, I’ve found that it isn’t uncommon for some cory catfish to die shortly after being added. This is because they were stressed by transport or could not tolerate the changed water conditions! So, acclimatization of new fish before adding them to your aquarium is vital.
Cory Catfish Types
The most popular variety among hobbyists is usually determined by its coloration. For example, bronze corydoras come with their own unique orange-yellow hue while albino ones look ghostly white against dark surroundings; panda cory catfish have black patches around their eyes as pandas do. Emerald cory, peppered cory, julii cory, and pygmy cory are also popular in the aquarium trade.
Bronze Cory Catfish
The bronze cory is just a color variation of the same species known as the green cory catfish. They’re active, but they shy away from other fish often!
These fish come in four different shades, including an orange-yellow combination.
Peppered Cory Catfish
The peppered cory is the most common aquarium fish, and it’s easy to care for. They’re also attractive, very peaceful, and have bronze with black patches across their bodies (and long-finned or albino varieties) that make them perfect as a starter pet!
Albino Cory Catfish
The albino cory catfish is the rarest variety of this species. They are only found in captivity, and their coloration makes them almost glow with an otherworldly luminance, making for one very impressive-looking fish!
They are pinkish-white with attractive red eyes!
Panda Cory Catfish
I’ve always had a soft spot for the panda cory catfish. They were named because of the black patches around their eyes, which look just like pandas!
Preferring cooler temps, these fish live near mountain streams where snowmelt from high elevations gives off more than enough clarity to swim comfortably.
They demand more than basic maintenance because they are native to mountain streams which are naturally very clear.
Pygmy Cory Catfish
The tiny Corydoras, and pygmy cats are often overlooked in favor of larger species.
These little guys need to stay fed with smaller foods and have dimmer lighting with many hiding places! A good home would include other small fish that won’t hog the attention or make aggressive neighbors out of them.
If you want your pet pygmy cory catfish to look very best, then they need to live among large shoals without many competitors.
Emerald Cory Catfish
Emerald cory catfish are one of the more beautiful colorations, making them an attractive choice for beginners who want that extra flare. The shimmering green with pink highlights underneath makes it easy to find in water too!
Julii Cory Catfish
The Julii cory catfish is a rare and exciting fish to keep. They have sharp barbels under their eyes, which makes them even more fascinating!
The way they can move their eyes around in front of their heads gives us that sinking feeling when you’re watching closely enough.
Cory Catfish Care Guide (Know their Tank, Water, and Food Requirements)
Natural Habitat For Corydoras
Cory catfish live in clear, slow-moving water with a sandy bottom and lots of plant life along the banks. They prefer smaller streams or rivers where they can hide out among reeds and other vegetation to avoid being noticed by predatory fish who would be waiting for them!
What Size Tank Do Cory Catfish Need?
Dwarf species of cory catfish can be kept in smaller tanks as 10-gallon, but I recommend that you have at least 20-gallon for most other varieties.
You can keep a school of 6-8 fish in a 20-gallon tank. Additional 2 – 4 gallons of water you need to count for each cory if you add more.
Tankmates of Cory Catfish
Cory catfish are fearless, peace-loving bottom dwellers that can be kept with any community fish. But don’t keep them with large predators like Oscar because they will eat anything that fits in their mouth if given a chance!
In the wild, cory catfish would be found among tetras such as neon or phantom tetra.
Tetra fish come in some dazzling colors and can bring more life than their size suggests – so having them in your freshwater aquarium with cory catfish will be a great combination!
Cory catfish also get along quite nicely when tanks contain compatible livebearers, including guppies, mollies, and swordtails.
These gentle vegetarian lovers need to crave safety in numbers as a small peaceful schooling fish, so six or more is highly suggested when making their group.
Water Requirements For Cory Catfish
The original wild-caught Cory catfish are found in soft water with a low pH. However, commercial breeders have done well by raising them to tolerate much wider ranges for aquarium life!
A pH between 7 – 8, alkalinity ranging from 3° dKH to 10° dKH, and temperatures between 74 °F and 80° F seem best suited towards cory catfish.
Cory catfish are a little bit sensitive to water quality, so keep a healthy environment. However, they should not be added to a new aquarium unless it is fully cycled. Regular water changes are essential.
Though most people assume that a fast flow is required because of their home condition in the wild, cory catfish prefer slower streams.
A planted aquarium will provide just what these fish need – as plants slow down water flow, give oxygen, and offer hiding places for them.
Do Cory Catfish Need Sand Substrate?
Soft sediments are the key to a happy cory catfish. Sand or rounded gravel is preferred.
Sharp rocks can lead them into trouble with cuts and infections, so it’s best if you don’t use these for their tank substrate!
The smooth sand and gravel are good for cory catfish as they have wispy barbels or whiskers to help them find food.
What Should I Feed My Cory Catfish?
Cory catfish are omnivores, meaning that they enjoy eating both meat and plants. In the wild, they would typically eat small insects or worms and larvae from the substrate (the bottom). Vegetable matters that fall into their water might also be on a list of what these fish like to chow down on!
Cory catfish will eat by sucking up food with their mouth from the ground or digging so that half of their face is buried. These bottom-feeders prefer basic foods like flakes and sinking pellets.
Cory catfish happily chow down on anything from live blackworms to frozen bloodworms, as well as the tiny food sticks called Hikari Vibra bites. They also enjoy Repashy gel foods or sinking wafers for optimum protein consumption!
Is Cory Catfish Suitable For Your Aquarium?
The cory catfish is an excellent fish for beginners and experts alike. They are easy to care for, providing a soft substrate in their community tank full of peaceful species with suitable water conditions that will stimulate this shy but lively animal’s personality!
Can You Breed Cory Catfish In Aquariums?
Yes, you can! But the fish must be conditioned to breed. Giving them nutritious foods such as live blackworms and frozen bloodworms will help you achieve this goal!
You can mimic the rainy season by introducing cooler than normal water into the cory catfish tank and watch as your fish start spawning eggs on top of everything else!
Males are smaller and slender, while females have rounder profiles to hold the eggs in their bodies for an extended period, making them perfect mothers!
Read More: How often do cory catfish lay eggs? [Know How to Breed]
You can breed in the same tank where your parent cory fish live in. But provide plenty of hiding spots like dense masses of java fern or guppy grass for your catfish to lay its own!
Remove other species from the tank as all fish will happily eat the eggs, so long as they get a chance.
For a better survival rate, you can remove the eggs of cory catfish with your fingers or a credit card into another aquarium to raise fry. Because, unfortunately, the parents also eat their own developing babies!
Cory Catfish Diseases & Remedies
Cory catfish also have their weaknesses with a personality that makes them seem like friendly, sociable creatures. Unfortunately, like other fish, they can get sick too, and as part of the treatment, you should know 3 common types.
Infections From Bacteria: If catfish are infected with bacteria, their bodies will lose color and become bloated. Some may also have open sores on the skin, inflammation, red streaks, frayed fins, and bulging or cloudy eyes. In severe sickness, they may suffer from breathing difficulties!
If you see any of these symptoms in your cory fish, it’s time for an antibiotic treatment!
Infections From Fungus: Cory catfish are the cutest little guys, but they can get infected by fungus. So if you see them acting edgy and scratching themselves, then definitely they are infected with fungus. Additionally, you can observe erratic movement and cotton-like tufts on their bodies.
You should separate the infected fish and change all the water with a thorough aquarium cleaning. However, OTC medication can kill the fungi off.
Infections From Parasites:
Observing excessive mucus on cory catfish bodies, lack of activity, and appetite loss could result from parasites.
Other symptoms include visible spots on the body, fish scratching a lot, and breathing difficulties in extreme cases.
Pristine water and a clean environment are the precondition to preventing parasites.
Final Words
Corys might seem like small and uninteresting fish, but they can be fascinating to watch. They are bottom feeders who come across as very active, alert, and entertaining little guys!
This bottom-dweller fish is a fantastic addition to any aquarium, but it’s crucial to know about cory catfish care before you get some.
So what more do you need to know about these fish? If this article has piqued your interest in learning more about how Cory Catfish can bring joy into our lives, just leave a comment below, and I will be happy to provide some extra information or answer any questions. Happy reading!
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