Metal Corydoras - Corydoras aeneus - DNZ

The beautiful and unusually colored metal Corydoras aeneus comes from South America, where it is very common. The interestingly marked cory is light orange to brownish and has a broad black longitudinal stripe that extends from just behind the gill cover to the base of the caudal fin. The fins are transparent brownish. On the mouth of Corydoras aeneus are the typical paired barbels. A metallic sheen can be seen on the gill covers and the head, which can also be detected on the body.

The males are rather slimmer in Corydoras aeneus, they become only in about 5 cm long. The females become with 8 cm clearly bigger and look more massive. The Metal Corydoras is a distinctly sociable group fish, and it should not be kept without conspecifics. A group size of at least 5-10 animals is the minimum size. The Metal Cory lives mainly in the bottom area of the aquarium. Since it is an intestinal breather, it must swim to the water surface from time to time. Access must always be granted here.

The Metal Corydoras aeneus is a very peaceful aqu arium fish that can be kept really well with other aquarium fish, as long as they are also peaceful. Keeping it together with shrimp will not cause any problems either. However, it is possible that the metal armored catfish will accidentally eat careless baby shrimp, but this cory does not actively hunt. With crayfish the socialization is rather difficult, because Corydoras aeneus prefers the same aquarium area and would certainly be injured or eaten by the crayfish during discussions about burrows or food.

In the aquarium metal corydoras reproduce, they are often bred in the aquarium hobby. In the community tank, the fry of the armored catfish usually do not come up, but in a separate breeding aquarium breeding works very well. The set up pair of metal armored catfish is fed with high quality live food and good frozen food , which stimulates the readiness to spawn. A large water change with cooler water feels like the beginning of the rainy season to the fish, which usually triggers courtship. The female Corydoras aeneus lays up to 100 sticky individual eggs on hard surfaces in the aquarium during mating. The very small larvae of the metal armored catfish hatch after a few days. After hatching at the latest, the parent fish should definitely be removed from the breeding aquarium so that they do not eat the fry. The fry of the Metal Cory are fed with Artemia nauplii, micro worms and infusoria.

The Metal Cory can reach an age of 8 to 10 years with good care. A water temperature of 22-27 °C is ideal. Corydoras aeneus prefers soft to medium hard aquarium water and a pH between 6 and 7. The aquarium should have a length of 80 cm for a group of 10 animals. Fine sand in the whole tank or at least a sand corner is necessary, so that the Corydoras can explore their food in the fine substrate. Please also offer enough Hiding places of food.

The Metal Cory is known as an omnivore that focuses on animal foods. High quality live food and good frozen food are readily accepted, but Corydoras will also eat dead plant debris and nibble on algae. Special food tabs for armored catfish are best suited, as well as commercially available flake food or soft granulated food for omnivorous aquarium fish in community aquariums.

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