Bronze cory

Geographic Origin and Biotope: One of the widest distributions in South America: from Colombia down to Argentina and Trinidad. Extremely adaptable to clear rivers, muddy oxbow lakes, and stagnant marshes subject to drying up.

Taxonomy and Morphology: Bronze Corydoras (Corydoras aeneus). The most robust and bred Corydoras in the world. Body armored by bony plates and intestine capable of assimilating atmospheric air taken with quick darts to the surface.

Social Behavior: Tireless pacifist. If kept in groups of less than 6 it falls into apathy (spends the day hidden and motionless). In schools of 10+, it swims frantically back and forth on the aquarium glass and happily rummages the sand.

Coloration and Sexual Dimorphism: The wild form is a reflective bronze or copper with emerald green reflections over a dark back. The very popular albino form exists on the market. Females are noticeably stockier and taller (almost a cm larger than the male).

Aquarium Setup: Adapts to everything except sharp bottoms: small rounded gravel or preferably sand are vital. It has no botanical preferences, likes shaded areas under roots or large Anubias leaves to rest.

Diet and Feeding: Pure scavenger. Will eat any scraps, but the diet must be supplemented with omnivorous bottom wafers, tubifex (which they love to extract from the sand) and bloodworms. They do not eat the feces of other fish!

Water Quality: Indestructible. Survives wide thermal and chemical ranges. The only sure killer is ammonia caused by overpopulation or rotting substrates due to lack of siphoning.

Compatibility and Tankmates: The number one choice for basic community aquariums. Pairs with any peaceful fish: Guppies, Platies, Tetras, Angelfish and small Gouramis. Unsuitable only for tanks with African rift lake Cichlids or predatory monsters.

Aquarium Reproduction: Very easy. The male places himself in a "T" position in front of the female to fertilize the eggs. The female will transport the sticky eggs closed between the pelvic fins to glue them on the glass (often near the filter flow).

Risks and Diseases: Rare diseases if well maintained, but erosion of the barbels due to sharp substrates (e.g. sharp fluorite) leads to starvation and mortal bacterial infections.