Corydoras catfish (22 species): keeping the popular “sanitary worker”, compatibility with other fish, what to feed them

If you are looking for an unpretentious, peaceful, and very useful fish for your aquarium, take a look at the Corydoras catfish. These small, nimble cleaners have long won the love of aquarists around the world. With their amusing behavior and tireless work cleaning the bottom, they bring not only benefits but also a lot of positivity to the aquarium.

In this article, we will explore the amazing variety of corydoras—there are more than 20 popular species, from the classic spotted to the elegant panda or golden. You will learn the basics of keeping them comfortable: what kind of substrate and water parameters they need, and what conditions these catfish prefer.

We will take a detailed look at what and how to feed corydoras correctly so that they remain healthy and active. We will also discuss which neighbors they get along with best and which fish are best avoided. We hope that after reading this, these charming hard workers will become full-fledged and beloved members of your underwater world.

Description and natural habitat

The natural habitat of this fish is the Amazon and Orinoco river basins. The catfish is quite small, measuring 3-7 cm, but sometimes larger specimens can be found, up to 10 cm in length. The body is spindle-shaped, flattened at the bottom. The fish's mouth is located at the bottom, near which there are three pairs of antennae for digging up the bottom of its habitat. Its lifespan in aquarium water is up to 15 years.

A distinctive feature of the fish is its strong armor, consisting of bony plates. They are located on the back in two rows and are intended for protection. The pectoral fins of the fish serve as protection thanks to their sharp rays. Corydoras breathe through gills in the water, and intestinal respiration is activated to capture life-giving air at the water surface.

The coloration of the corydoras is striking in its diversity and depends on the specific species. The background tone on the fish's body is monochromatic, with white spots or stripes all over the body or in separate parts of the torso. There are also albino specimens with a white body and red eyes.

The Amazon and Orinoco rivers are the natural habitat for these fish.

Species

A side effect is increased heating due to the growth of power dissipated in the volume of the device, which requires additional cooling measures. For this purpose, a powerful aluminum alloy radiator is used in the housing design, and a built-in fan is installed. Naturally, there can be no question of installing such lamps under the cover. Therefore, the degree of protection of the housing is IP43.

Golden (bronze)

The X100 and X300 luminaires use “warm” LED modules with a color temperature below 6000K, and the dual (COB*2) modules use RGB-in-one LEDs.

Approximately the same ratio is maintained in all luminaires of the series. As a result, the luminaire provides light with a color temperature of about 8000K. When using colored highlights, there are no glare effects in the volume or at the bottom. The design is available in a housing mounted on a bracket with the ability to rotate the lighting panel in a horizontal plane. The device is mounted on the aquarium wall using a clip (maximum glass thickness 12 mm). Model

X100

Power consumption, W

There are 4 models in the series:

For example, from 60 point sources in RGB30:

Spotted catfish Albino (white)

X300

X400 dual COB module) Luminous flux, Lm

X200 (dual COB module)

This catfish owes its name to its unusual resemblance to the famous bamboo-eating bear, the panda. The main color of the male is light or pinkish. The Panda Corydoras has three black spots: one across the eyes, one on the dorsal fin, and one near the tail. Males are usually smaller than females. Body length up to 5 cm.

In their natural habitat, they can be found in hot Peru and Ecuador. They prefer temperatures of 16 degrees Celsius and above. They can withstand a short drop in temperature for up to 12 hours. They prefer dim lighting. The conditions for keeping and caring for Panda catfish should be close to natural.

Panda

Shturba

In its natural habitat, it can be found in calm rivers in sunny Brazil and Bolivia. Its body is rounded and slightly elongated, with a narrowing in the tail area. The belly line is almost flat. The fish is dark brown in color, with light pearl spots all over its body. The pelvic fins are a striking orange color. In an aquarium environment, Sterba's corydoras grows to 6-7 cm in length.

Sterba

Adolphi

This fish is 5 cm long and has a light gray color. There is a bright orange spot on the back of its head. An intense black stripe runs along its back. Its natural habitat is the Rio Negro River. This species requires more careful care and maintenance. It breeds successfully in aquarium environments and lives up to 6 years.

Adolphi

Leopard

This is a very beautiful species of catfish. Its color is bright yellow with intense black spots all over its body. The length of an individual is 6 cm. The leopard corydoras looks great against a background of black gravel.

Leopard Corydoras

Trilineatus

Another name for this species is three-lined, due to the three lines that run across its entire body. This species is very similar to the leopard variety, which is why even experienced aquarists sometimes cannot tell them apart.

Corydoras Trilineatus

Pygmy Corydoras

It is the most compact member of the catfish family, with a body length of 2-2.5 cm. Despite its small size, the pygmy catfish is very attractive, with a silvery color and a distinct stripe on its back. Its natural habitat is the calm Madeira River and its tributaries. In an aquarium, pygmy catfish feel comfortable in the company of their own kind, and it is best to keep them in groups of 10-15. They coexist peacefully with small, peaceful fish.

Pygmy

Hastatus (Sparrow)

Another tiny species, 3 cm in size. The Corydoras got its name “Hastatus” (translated as “spear bearer”) thanks to the arrow-like pattern on its tail fin. This fish is suitable for beginner aquarists and is no different from other species of Corydoras in terms of care.

Sparrow Corydoras

Corydoras Venezuelan (Venezuela)

The size of this species when kept in aquarium conditions is 4-5 cm. The uniqueness of this species is that its individuals mimic the color of the substrate. To create contrast in their coloration, light-colored and colored substrates are used. Outwardly, the Venezuelan catfish is very similar to the golden catfish, except that it has a turquoise spot on its back.

Corydoras Venezuelan

Black Venezuela (Venezuela Black)

One of the rare varieties of Venezuelan catfish, only intensely black in color. When kept in captivity, it reaches 4-5 cm. Suitable for keeping in any quantity, but best kept in a school of 5 to 10 individuals. They prefer to stay at the bottom of the aquarium.

Black Venezuela

Corydoras Julia

This active catfish is a typical inhabitant of the aquarium bottom. It has a peaceful nature and gets along well with peaceful tropical fish. It feels comfortable in a group of 5-8 individuals. In terms of color, it is similar to the leopard catfish, with black and white stripes all over its body, like a zebra.

Julia

Corydoras nanos

This nimble representative of the catfish family lives in the calm rivers of Suriname and Eastern Brazil. Its silvery body is olive-colored and grows up to 5 cm. A dark mesh of scaly patterns stands out against the light background. Males have golden tones in their coloration.

Nanus

Coridoras Barbatus

In natural conditions, these massive catfish are found in rivers flowing in sunny Rio de Janeiro and picturesque São Paulo. They grow up to 12 cm, but become smaller in captivity.

Barbatus

Corydoras julii

In their natural environment, this species inhabits the lower reaches of the Amazon. One of the most colorful representatives of the Corydoras genus. The main color of the body is cream or grayish. Small black spots are scattered across the scales. There is a black stripe from the gill slits to the end of the tail, and the pectoral and pelvic fins are transparent. There is a bright black spot on the dorsal fin. The presence of a spot and a dark stripe on the body are considered characteristic species features. The length in an aquarium is 5 cm.

Julia

Coridoras Duplicareus

This is a catfish with a light yellow or beige color. The fish has two distinct stripes on its body. Between the stripes there is an orange-colored area. In its natural habitat, it lives in the upper reaches of the Negro River.

Duplicareus

Coridoras Kochi

This nimble species of armored catfish was first described in 1954, discovered in the middle reaches of the Amazon. These are small fish, up to 3 cm in length. The body is whitish in color with yellowish-brown markings that shimmer with striking gold. Their translucent fins are also colored.

Coches

Coridoras Arcuatus

These armored catfish are called double-banded. The body (up to 5 cm long) is silvery and shiny, with a wide dark stripe running along the entire back on both sides of the movable fin. Due to the convexity in the upper part of the body, it resembles a flexible arc.

This species is demanding in terms of permanent conditions, it has very sensitive antennae, which are easily damaged in poor water quality.

Arcuatus

Coridoras Similis

A fairly rare species of coridoras. Under favorable conditions, it grows up to 6 cm in length. This species of catfish is also capable of taking on the color of the substrate. They prefer to stay at the bottom of the aquarium. These peaceful fish are compatible with many inhabitants of the aquatic world. Schooling fish such as neons, tetras, and rasboras make excellent neighbors for them.

Similis

Coridoras Meta (Bandit)

This species got its nickname from the black stripe that runs across both eyes. Another stripe runs horizontally from the dorsal fin to the tail. Its body length in the aquarium is about 5 cm. They are easy to keep and care for.

Subspecies Meta (Bandit)

Emerald brochi (green)

This subspecies has stunning coloring with a metallic sheen, which is how it got its name. Adults reach a size of 7-8 cm. Distinctive features include a more pointed snout. The body of this fish is slightly thicker than that of other corydoras. It is best to keep at least 4 of them in an aquarium with a volume of 50 liters or more.

Emerald brochi

What diseases are they susceptible to?

The unpretentious coridoras fish has a strong immune system. This inhabitant of the aquarium world has no specific diseases. They are able to withstand minor fluctuations in the aquatic environment. For preventive purposes, it is undesirable to use table salt or sea salt.

These fish have a strong immune system.

Fungus

The presence of the problem is determined by growths on the fins, spots, or a cotton-like coating on the body. To cure the fish of the disease, arrange baths in a separate container. Potassium permanganate is suitable as a disinfectant; the catfish is kept in it for about 5 minutes. If furacilin is used as a base, it is dissolved in a ratio of 1 g per 10 l of water. The duration of this bath is 30 minutes. It is strictly forbidden to use a saline solution, as catfish cannot tolerate this composition and will die from it.

Fungus appears on the body or fins of fish

Poisoning with nitrogen compounds

Coridoras fish suffer from their own toxins, which can easily poison them. In their natural environment, they hide from toxic waste, but in a confined aquarium, this is practically impossible. Bubbles on the surface of the water are a sign of increased nitrogen compounds in the water. The only way out of this situation is to place the corridoras in a tank with purified water.

Poisoning in fish occurs due to their own toxins

Care requirements

Coridoras fish live at the bottom of the tank, which must be taken into account when setting up an aquarium. High-quality substrate and free surface area are important for them. Live mosses, aquatic ferns, beautiful anubias in pots, and bushes with developed root systems are also grown for them.

It is advisable to keep 6-8 catfish at the same time, as they feel comfortable in the company of their fellow species.

The bottom should be covered with substrate, plants, and driftwood.

Aquarium requirements

Since coridoras are bottom-dwelling fish, special attention should be paid to the bottom layout. It is desirable that the substrate be dark in color. Coridoras do not require a large amount of space; an aquarium with a capacity of 50–60 liters is suitable for their comfortable maintenance.

Coridoras catfish are typical inhabitants of complete darkness. They become active at night. Therefore, comfortable lighting should be created in the aquarium and decorative shelters should be installed where the catfish can rest during daylight hours, such as sunken grottoes or natural wooden snags. Lamps that create dim lighting are suitable for lighting, as catfish prefer subdued light. When installing decorative elements, make sure that each fish has space to swim around at the bottom. An aerator and water filter are essential for the comfortable keeping of corridor fish. There should be free space between the water level and the aquarium lid so that the catfish can rise for a breath of air, while the lid is open.

The optimal aquarium volume for these fish is 50-60 liters.

Aquarium water parameters

The water in the aquarium should meet the following criteria for the comfortable keeping of catfish:

• Optimal water temperature – 22–26 °C;
• Acidity balance – 5.5–8.0 pH;
• Hardness parameters – 5–18 dH.

Approximately ¼ of the water is changed weekly. Every 15 days, the substrate is checked and cleaned of sharp stones and debris from decorations that could break the fish's fragile antennae.

The optimal water temperature is 22–26 °C.

Feeding

Catfish are unpretentious in their diet, consuming everything that falls to the bottom. Catfish tablets with plant components are used for feeding. They also successfully eat frozen or live tubifex worms, bloodworms, daphnia, dry and granular feed. The fish are given live worms.

Important! Diversify your pets' diet with spirulina tablets, occasionally treat them with mashed egg yolk and pieces of peeled fresh cucumber. If there is a lack of plant components in the diet, armored catfish will damage aquatic plants.

Catfish tablets are great for feeding corydoras.

The Corydoras is a small, peaceful catfish that has become a real hit among aquarists. Not only is it cute and active, but it is also useful: it loves to clean the bottom of the tank of food debris, for which it is often called a “sanitary worker.” These fish are unpretentious but sensitive to water quality — they need clean, oxygen-rich water and soft substrate so as not to damage their barbels. They live in schools, so it is best to keep at least six individuals. They get along well with other fish, especially small, calm species. They eat almost any food: dry, live, frozen — as long as it sinks to the bottom. Corydoras are suitable for both beginners and experienced aquarists, the main thing is to create comfortable conditions and not leave them alone.

Compatibility with other fish

This fish, which lives mostly at the bottom, has a calm and peaceful disposition, thanks to which it gets along well with other representatives of the aquatic world with similar characteristics.

The following fish are excellent neighbors for the undemanding corydoras: guppies, pecilias, gouramis (pearl gouramis), danios, and cockerels. It is undesirable to keep them with catfish, carp, goldfish, and large marine predators.

Gouramis get along well with corydoras

How long do corydoras live

The unpretentious cordyras catfish lives for 7-9 years. Under proper conditions, it can live up to 12 years.

Breeding corydoras

These inhabitants of the aquatic world become capable of reproduction at 1-2 years of age. Lowering the temperature of the aquarium water stimulates the females to spawn. The female and two young males participate in the continuation of the species. Catfish require a spacious spawning tank with a volume of more than 60 liters. The internal conditions in the spawning tank should be similar to those in the home aquarium. A quarter of the water is replaced daily, aeration is set to maximum, and the substrate is siphoned every 2-3 days. The fish need 8-10 days to get used to their new home. All these actions stimulate active reproduction.

The fish are ready to reproduce at 1-2 years of age.

How females differ from males

You can visually distinguish female corydoras from males by the shape of their fins and body size. Female corydoras are larger than males. The fins of male corydoras are pointed at the end, while those of females are rounded.

Mating and spawning

Catfish are placed in the spawning tank in the evening. After moving, the spawning tank is placed closer to the window, as bright light will be another signal for spawning. Sometimes you have to wait a few days before mating begins.

The spawning process lasts several hours, beginning in the morning hours. These aquatic creatures have an unusual fertilization process. At the beginning of mating, the males chase the females. When the male releases his milt, the female collects it in her mouth and lays her eggs in her pelvic fins. Then the female chooses a suitable place on the aquarium glass or plants, smears the eggs with milt, and sticks them to the glass. The procedure is repeated an unlimited number of times. These actions increase the productivity of egg fertilization.

Interesting fact! During one spawning, the female produces up to 800 small eggs.

RGB Series

Eggs and fry

The incubation period lasts up to 8 days at a temperature of 23-25 °C. After spawning, the producers are returned to their native habitat. During such a long period, many eggs are attacked by fungus, which leads to their death. Therefore, the solution to this situation is to raise the temperature to 28 °C. This will help speed up the hatching process, reducing the risk of harmful fungus developing. After the fry appear, the temperature is lowered to the usual level.

The fry are quite large, so there are no problems with feeding. At 30 days old, the fry reach one cm in length.

Chihiros RGB series luminaires are almost identical in design to the A series. The difference is that, in addition to white LEDs, red, green, and blue LEDs are used. Aquarium size for installation, cm

Choosing a healthy catfish in a store

Catfish have strong immunity. They are able to withstand temperature changes.

When purchasing fish, pay attention to the behavior of your chosen representative of the fish world:

• Do not buy fish that lie on the bottom and pay no attention to external stimuli.
• Observe how the aquatic creatures breathe. Fish breathing should not be heavy, and air intake should be rapid, after which the fish actively descends. If the fish is sick, its movements will be stiff, and it will sink to the bottom as if it were a stone.
• Observe how the fish swims. If it scratches itself, moves jerkily, or has problems with coordination, balance, and spatial orientation, leave such a fish in the store.
• Eye-catching spots and large growths indicate a destructive fungus. Reddish spots on the abdomen indicate a hidden bacterial infection.
• Be sure to check the integrity of the whiskers; it is better to set aside those with damaged whiskers.
• The fins are intact, spread out, with no signs of destructive fin rot. If they are stuck together or have pronounced red stripes, look for another armored catfish.
• The eyes of a healthy fish are clear, not covered with a film or cloudiness, not bulging or sunken.
• Avoid catfish with visibly inflamed or slime-covered gills. It is dangerous if they are too dark—this is a sign of nitrogen poisoning.
• Do not buy armored catfish with a thin, sunken or bulging belly. The former indicates the presence of pathogenic microorganisms or complete exhaustion. The latter can be a sign of many hidden ailments that can lead to death.
• And lastly, purchase fish of different sizes, not just the largest ones.

It is better to choose active fish.

When choosing a suitable specimen, pay attention to the following signs of disease in catfish:

• Sticky fins;
• Clouding of the eyes, covering with a film.
• Damaged whiskers;
• Inflammation or redness on the gills.

Red-brown spots are a sign of a pathogenic fungus developing in the fish's body. A sunken belly indicates exhaustion and helminth infection.

Coridoras are schooling, undemanding, cheerful fish. If you follow the general rules of care, they will live and delight you with their beautiful appearance for 15 years. Follow the valuable recommendations provided, carefully select armored catfish before purchasing, and quarantine newcomers. All these actions will help you avoid major mistakes in keeping these peaceful catfish.

Price

The cost of Coridoras catfish ranges from 89 to 490 rubles, depending on the species. The most expensive species is Coridoras dupilcareus, which costs from 440 rubles. Coridoras Julia costs from 270 rubles. Spotted and golden coridoras are the most affordable fish, costing between 90 and 100 rubles.

Coridoras cost from 89 to 490 rubles.

As you can see, corydoras are ideal neighbors and hard-working helpers for most peaceful aquariums. Their diversity allows you to choose a pet to your liking, and their unpretentiousness makes them an excellent choice for both beginners and experienced aquarists.

The main thing is to remember their simple needs: a school of fellow fish, soft soil, and high-quality food that sinks to the bottom. By providing them with these conditions, you will get not just fish, but active and entertaining inhabitants that will enliven the lower layers of your underwater world.

Watching a bustling school of piranhas is a real pleasure. These catfish bring dynamism and their own special charisma to the aquarium, making it truly alive and balanced.