Black Metal Cory - Corydoras aeneus "black" - DNZ

The beautiful Black Metal Cory Corydoras aeneus "black" is a breeding form of the Metal Cory from South America. This cory, which is very dark brown on the whole body, looks almost night-black under the right light. At the mouth it has the pairs of barbels typical for Corydoras aeneus.

The males of the Black Corydoras aeneus are slimmer and less large than the females, growing to a total body length of only about 5 cm. The ladies grow much longer at 8 cm and appear much bulkier. The Black Metal Cory is a gregarious group fish that needs the company of conspecifics. Please do not keep them alone! We recommend a group size of at least 5-10 animals. Although the Black Metal Cory lives mainly in the bottom area of the aquarium, as an intestinal breather it always needs free access to the water surface for breathing.

The Black Metal Corydoras aeneus is an exceptionally peaceful small aqu arium fish that socializes really well with other peace-loving aquarium fish, and can also live with shrimp in the aquarium. Baby shrimp are not actively hunted. Socializing with crayfish in the aquarium is rather not recommended, as Corydoras aeneus "black" stays in the same aquarium area and can be attacked or even eaten by the crayfish.

In the aquarium Black Metal Corydoras spawn, they are also bred in the hobby. In the community tank, however, their fry usually do not come up because they are eaten. For a specific breeding you need a breeding aquarium. Here you put a pair of Black Metal Corydoras and feed them with high quality live food and good frozen food. A large water change with slightly colder water additionally stimulates the spawning readiness, because it signals the beginning of the rainy season to the fish - the mating season in nature starts then. The female Corydoras aeneus "black" sticks up to 100 single eggs on all kinds of hard surfaces in the aquarium, which are then fertilized by the male. The tiny larvae of the Black Metal Corydoras hatch after 3-5 days, depending on the temperature, and now it is time to remove the parents from the breeding aquarium so that they do not eat the babies. Feed the Black Metal Cory fry first with infusoria and then with Artemia nauplii and microworms.

The Black Metal Cory will live 8 to 10 years with good care. A water temperature of 22-27 °C and soft to medium hard aquarium water would be ideal. Corydoras aeneus "black" prefers a pH value between 6 and 7. The aquarium should have a length of at least 80 cm for a small group of 10 animals. We recommend fine, rounded sand as substrate in the whole tank or at least a generous sand corner , so that the Black Metalhead Catfish can explore their food in a species-appropriate way. They really work through the sand. Please also offer your new aquarium favorites enough hiding places.

The Black Metal Cory is an omnivore, but tends to eat animal foods. With high-quality live food and a good frozen food you can cover his needs very well. It also eats dead plant parts and sometimes nibbles on soft algae. Feeding tabs for armored catfish are also optimal for feeding, as well as commercial flake food or soft granulated food for omnivorous aquarium fish in community aquariums.

Our food recommendation: The NatureHolic Catfish Feed for all aufwuchs feeding sucking catfish in the aquarium is a balanced tablet food, which does not cloud the water and the fish like to eat. The catfish tablets also contain NatureHolic active ingredient complexes that provide sucking catfish with everything they need for a strong immune system, healthy growth and great, contrasting coloration.

Our plant recommendation: For planting, use NatureHolic InVitros. These are free of snails, planarians and other unwanted co-inhabitants. Also free of algae spores, bacteria and fungi.

Expert Tip: We recommend for fish keeping the NatureHolic 3 Phase Liquid. The care set offers the best all-round protection for your animals. It ensures optimal conditions for successful breeding and keeping.