Blackfin Corydoras - Corydoras leucomelas

The pretty Corydoras leucomelas, also calledBlackfin Corydoras, is easily recognizable at first glance: its namesake partial black dorsal fin and the broad black band on its face are especially striking. Its habitat stretches from Peru to Ecuador and Colombia, where it mainly inhabits rather shallow and sandy shore areas that have consistently soft substrate. In this area, among other things, their feeding takes place, in which the catfish rummage through the soft bottom for food, such as mosquito larvae, smaller worms and detrius. It can be confused with Corydoras agassizii or Corydoras parallelus among others.

Our Corydoras leucomelas are available in mixed sex.

Males and females can be distinguished with regard to their sex due to the somewhat bulkier body structure of the females and the pointed and extended dorsal fin of the males. They can be bred in the aquarium with some preparation. Live food contributes to the courtship mood. Also larger water changes with different temperatures contribute their by the way and simulate the fertile rainy season in the rainforest. The females stick their eggs to smooth surfaces from which the larvae hatch. Since the adults eat their own eggs, it is advisable to hatch the eggs separately. These can be raised with freshly hatched Artemia nauplii, but also slipperfish or infusoria.

With just 6 cm the cute blackfin catfish has reached its final size. Therefore they can be kept in groups in aquariums from 54 liters. The very sociable and social animals derive their strength from the group size, therefore we recommend the group keeping with at least 5 animals, otherwise they will care quickly. The substrate should be fine sand or another soft substrate, in which the Corydoras can easily dig without hurting their sensitive barbels. Also many caves and hiding places and in places dense plantings contribute to their well-being. Since they do not like very bright lighting, the aquarium should be shaded in places, for example also with the help of Floating plants. However, care should be taken to ensure that there are gaps in the floating plant cover, as the animals are intestinal breathers that regularly swim to the surface to breathe. They also prefer good water hygiene, so the water should be changed frequently. At a water temperature between 22 and 26 °C they can be maintained very well. Their water should be soft with a total hardness (GH) between 2-19 °dGH and a pH of 6.5-7.5.

As very peaceful co-fish the Blackfin Corydoras can be socialized very well, especially with well reproducing Dwarf shrimp speciesbut also Fan shrimp and Amano shrimps, as well as other small fish coming from similar water parameters. Especially in a so called black water aquarium or also in an amazon biotope they come into their own. Dwarf crayfish inhabit the same water zone and can get dangerously close to their fins and seriously injure them, so socialization with them or even crayfish is not recommended.

Blackfin Corys are  omnivores with a preference for carnivorous food . However, in the aquarium  they can also be fed without problems with commercially available bottom tablets, food tablets or flake food and granulated food. From time to time they are happy about a variety in the form of live or frozen food, such as mosquito larvae, Artemia or also Enchytraea.

Our food recommendation: The NatureHolic Catfish Feed for all aquarium sucker catfish that eat growth is a balanced tablet food that does not cloud the water and the fish like to eat. The catfish tablets also contain NatureHolic active ingredient complexes, which provide the 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.