- Scientific name: Corydoras aeneus
- Common Name: Bronze Corydoras, Bronze Catfish, Tan Cleaner
- Aquarium size: 80 liters
- Temperament: Very calm
- Temperature: 22ºC to 25ºC
- pH: 6 to 7.5
- Diet: Omnivores
- Length: 7 cms
Description
The Corydoras Aeneus, Bronze Corydoras or Bronze catfish, belong to the group of Callíctidos .
It is one of the most appreciated Corydoras in the aquarium because it is a very sociable specimen, suitable for small or large aquariums .
Their resistance is proven, they are undemanding in terms of water quality, except for excessively acidic waters .
They maintain a good activity within the aquarium, which arouses interest and generates attractiveness.
Morphology
In the aquarium we can find that the specimens usually measure between 4 cm and 7 cm long.
The body of Coydoras aeneus is devoid of scales , instead it has a double row of overlapping bony plates, which cover its entire body. In section it has a triangular shape, flattened on the belly and a slightly bulging dorsal part.
Behind the dorsal fin, we find a common adipose fin in the Corydora family.
On the pectoral fin, the first ray is spine-shaped. The pectoral fin is transformed to carry the eggs during laying.
Its head is short and compact, with relatively large and mobile eyes.
In the mouth, quite narrow, we can findthree pairs of barbels in its lower jaw , with which it removes the bottom of the aquarium without stopping.
Like all Callíctids, they are able to breathe outside of water, which allows them to live in highly polluted and oxygen-poor waters.
They rise to the surface of the aquarium, where they swallow an air bubble. Gaseous exchange occurs within your digestive tract, passing oxygen to your blood system.
Coloration
As its common name indicates, the usual color of “bronze” Corydoras is copper , with pink tones on the belly of the specimens.
On the sides it has a wide black stripe, with metallic reflections in green.
In fish stores you can be found albinos specimens, selectively bred.
Others are artificially dyed, which is pretty cruel. To achieve these artificial colorations, artificial inks are injected under the outer plates of the fish.
Over time, these inks reduce the Corydoras’ defenses against possible diseases. It is a very common practice, but it should not be allowed.
If you go to a store and find manipulated fish, you shouldn’t buy them.
Sexual dimorphism
Sexual dimorphism (difference between genders) is evident if we observe the dorsal fin, which is quite pointed in the male of the Corydoras aeneus and rounded in the females.
Males are also more elongated, thinner, and smaller than females.
Distribution and habitat
They are fish that can be found in the wild on the island of Trinidad, in the rivers and streams of the interior with fast and clean waters.
Although there are certain doubts that they are exactly the same variety of fish, it is accepted that the Bronze Corydoras are also present in much of South America, from Trinidad, Colombia, to the Río de la Plata , on its border with Uruguay and Argentina.
Aquarium conditions
They can be raised both in a small aquarium and in larger community aquariums. At a minimum, we should have a 70 to 80 liter aquarium.
Regarding the quality of the water:
- Temperature between 22ºC and 25ºC
- pH 6 to 7.5. It does not support acidic waters
- gH between 5º and 15º. Soft or medium hard water
They like that the aquarium has vegetation and has a sandy bottom. We must provide them with shelters with stones or caves .
As they tend to remove the substrate from the aquarium, it is advisable to avoid plants with small leaves.
Diet
Their diet should include small prey, such as roundworms, worms, Tubifex, or mosquito larvae. Ideally they should be provided alive, but they will also eat them without any problem if they are frozen.
They eat everything, they are omnivorous. They admit commercial foods , which must be pellets for groundfish, where they spend most of the time.
Behavior
They are very sociable fish and although they are not especially gregarious , they appreciate the presence of their peers.
It is usually recommended to introduce a small shoal of about six specimens in the aquarium. In this way we get them to be calmer, not so shy and more sociable.
Fish compatible with Corydoras Aeneus
They can share space with other species: characins , cyprinids and American cichlids .
Reproduction
Although its reproduction is not exactly easy, some hobbyists have been successful.
If we want to try to reproduce Corydoras aeneus in the aquarium, we must consider:
- Have a ratio of at least two males to every female.
- When it is evident that the females carry their eggs, between 50% and 70% of the water in the aquarium should be changed with cooler water.
- The oxygenation and the flow of the tank water should also be increased (we should have an aquarium filter with a flow regulator ). This process of water change must be repeated until spawning occurs.
- The females will deposit between 3 and 6 eggs between their pelvic fins, which will be fertilized by the males.
- The eggs are adhesive and will be placed under the leaves, or on the walls of the aquarium.
- Once spawning has occurred, the adults must be separated from the eggs.
- Ideally we pass the eggs to a nano isolation aquarium, where we will maintain the same conditions (very well oxygenated). It should be filled with water from the spawning tank.
- At first the eggs are fragile, but after about 30 minutes they become hard and resistant.
- After three or four days the fry will begin to hatch their eggs.
When they have fully absorbed their yolk sacs, they should be fed small live foods such as Artemia nauplii. If we do not have it or it is difficult for us, they will accept very crumbled dry breath.
Corydoras aeneus Photos
