Black Venezuela Corydoras
Corydoras venezuelanus var. Black
The Black Venezuela Cory is a spectacular and highly sought-after melanistic (black) strain, created through targeted selection in Germany. Its compact body looks like a velvety mass of dark chocolate/black. To stand out optimally, this gothic fish demands light sand substrates and amber waters (rich in tannins). It requires slightly more care than normal commercial corys and, above all, needs a school composed exclusively of its own black variety to avoid social isolation.
Water Temperature
22 - 26 °C
pH Value
6 - 7.2
Water type
Freshwater
Tank level
Bottom
Adult size
5 cm
Minimum tank volume
>= 80 L
Minimum group
>= 6
GH
2 - 15 dGH
KH
1 - 7 dKH
TDS
40 - 295 ppm
Conductivity
63 - 461 uS/cm
Species description
Geographical Origin and Habitat: A color morph selectively bred in the aquarium hobby, although the ancestral form (Corydoras venezuelanus) is native to river basins in Venezuela (Llanos). In the wild, they inhabit muddy bottoms, oxbows, marginal ponds, and turbid or tannin-rich streams with abundant submerged vegetation.
Taxonomy and Morphology: Commonly known as the Black Venezuela Corydoras. Its classification is debated: often considered a melanistic variant of C. aeneus or C. schultzei, and marketed as venezuelanus. It possesses a robust and convex body (maximum 5-6 cm / 2.3 inches) typical of the aeneus group, armored and equipped with well-developed barbels.
Social Behavior: Like all Corydoras of the aeneus group, it is incredibly prolific in group swimming and totally peaceful. It must be kept in tight schools (minimum 6-8 individuals) to prevent lethargy. Spends the day rooting through the sand without caring in the least about other pelagic fish.
Coloration and Sexual Dimorphism: Spectacular melanistic coloration: the body is a velvety coal black or very dark brown, while the fins (especially dorsal and caudal) and belly maintain a brownish or rust-red hue (a legacy of the orange patch of the classic venezuelanus). Adult females are noticeably stockier and swollen compared to males.
Care, breeding and tankmates
Aquarium Setup: The coal-black livery stands out incredibly on a light sand bottom (very fine silica) and in densely planted tanks with bright green plants. Soft sand is vital to avoid wearing away the barbels. Add twisted branches to form shady canopies where the school can rest together.
Diet and Feeding: A bottom-dwelling micro-predator of proverbial voracity. The diet must be balanced with specific foods for bottom fish (sinking granules or tablets), abundantly enriched with frozen or live food (Bloodworms, Daphnia, Brine Shrimp, Tubifex). It is a fatal mistake to think it can survive by eating only the "waste" of other fish.
Water Quality: Extremely robust and tolerant. Wide thermal range (22-26°C / 72-79°F), tolerates pH variations (6.0-7.2), and adapts to soft or medium-hard waters. However, it detests a "rotten" substrate and nitrate accumulation; the sand should be lightly siphoned on the surface, always ensuring strong biological filtration.
Compatibility and Cohabitation: An impeccable member for the peaceful community aquarium. It will not attack any fish (not even fry if they swim). Coexists perfectly with Rasboras, Tetras, small South American Cichlids (Ramirezi, Apistogramma), and labyrinth fish (Betta, Trichogaster). Not to be paired with aggressive digging cichlids.
Aquarium Breeding: Breeds with incredible ease, just like the aeneus. Temperature drops from cold water changes trigger the "T-position" mating. The female deposits clusters of highly adhesive eggs on the glass, often right on the filter pump outlet. Adults are egg eaters.
Risks and Diseases: Susceptible to the lethal wearing away of barbels caused by sharp gravel, leading to starvation and systemic bacterial infections. Sensitive to Copper-based medications. The "Black" strain, being heavily selectively bred (inbreeding), may show slight genetic defects or lower tolerance compared to wild strains.
Geographic Origin and Distribution
A color morph selectively bred in the aquarium hobby, although the ancestral form (Corydoras venezuelanus) is native to river basins in Venezuela (Llanos). In the wild, they inhabit muddy bottoms, oxbows, marginal ponds, and turbid or tannin-rich streams with abundant submerged vegetation.
Origin
Selective breeding and cultivarsExtra-Amazon South AmericaCentral America and CaribbeanEurope, Mediterranean, and West AsiaTropical oceans and reefs
Fish profile
- Temperament
- Territorial
- This is an incredibly peaceful and timid species that thrives in the company of its own kind. Corydoras venezuelanus var. Black should be kept in groups of at least six individuals to feel secure and display their natural, endearing behaviors. When kept alone or in too small a group, they can become highly stressed, lethargic, and prone to illness.
- Diet
- Omnivore
- As omnivorous bottom feeders, Corydoras venezuelanus var. Black requires a varied diet that sinks to the substrate. High-quality sinking pellets or wafers should form the staple of their diet. Supplementing with live or frozen foods like bloodworms, brine shrimp, and daphnia will ensure optimal health and encourage natural foraging behaviors.
- Life expectancy
- 5-10 years
- This melanistic variety is hardy and can live between 5 and 10 years in a well-maintained aquarium. Chemical stability of the water and low nitrate levels in the substrate are essential for preventing bacterial infections and diseases. Providing a fine, clean substrate ensures excellent longevity.
- Adult size
- 5 cm
- The catalog's scalar value is 5 cm. The FishBase SPECIES table (v25.04 snapshot) source reports a maximum adult measurement of 7.5 cm for this species, recorded as standard length (SL). The biological datum refers to the base species Corydoras aeneus (v25.04); male or unsexed record, not exclusively to the commercial variety. These figures are not interchangeable: the first is the profile's editorial reference, whereas the second is a published maximum under a specific measurement convention; differences among sources can reflect sex, population, life stage and measuring method.
- Sex ratio
- Specific M:F ratio
- A ratio of two or three males for every female is highly recommended, especially if breeding Corydoras venezuelanus var. Black is the goal. Males are generally smaller and more slender than the plumper, rounder females. Maintaining a proper sex ratio ensures higher fertilization rates during the spawning process.
- Feeding frequency
- Twice daily
- Corydoras venezuelanus var. Black should be fed small amounts once or twice a day, providing only what they can consume within a few minutes. Because they are nocturnal foragers by nature, dropping some food in just before the aquarium lights go out can be highly beneficial. Avoid overfeeding to maintain excellent water quality.
- Bioload
- This species produces a relatively small bioload, typical of most Corydoras venezuelanus var. Black species. Their efficient scavenging behavior can actually help keep the substrate clean, reducing the overall accumulation of detritus. Regular water changes and a properly sized filter will easily manage the waste they produce.
- Flow
- Stagnant
- These catfish prefer moderate water flow that provides adequate oxygenation without creating overpowering currents. A setup that mimics a slow-moving South American stream is ideal for Corydoras venezuelanus var. Black. Ensure there are calmer resting areas where they can settle on the substrate without expending too much energy.
- Reproduction
- Oviparous
- Breeding Corydoras venezuelanus var. Black in captivity can be achieved by simulating the onset of the rainy season with cooler water changes. The female will carry a few eggs in a pouch formed by her pelvic fins and deposit them on broad leaves or the aquarium glass. The parents exhibit no parental care and will eagerly consume the eggs if not separated.
- Compatibility & tankmates
- Species only
- Corydoras venezuelanus var. Black is a peaceful and highly sociable schooling fish that makes an excellent addition to community aquariums. They do best when kept with other small, non-aggressive species such as tetras, rasboras, and dwarf cichlids. It is crucial to avoid housing them with large or aggressive bottom-dwellers that might outcompete them for food or stress them out.
- Tank level
- Bottom
- Like other Corydoras, Corydoras venezuelanus var. Black are quintessential bottom dwellers, spending almost all of their time sifting through the substrate in search of food. They require a soft, sandy bottom to prevent damage to their sensitive barbels. Occasionally, they will make quick dashes to the surface to take in atmospheric air, a completely normal behavior.
Scientific Parameters & Models
FishBase
Window to the official scientific data of the species
Data synced on: 06/15/2026
- Trophic level
- 3 ± 0.34 se
- Resilience
- Medium (1.4 - 4.4 years)
- Phylogenetic uniqueness (PD50)
- 0.5039
- Bayesian Length-Weight
- a = 0.02291, b = 3.07
- VulnerabilityLow vulnerability (10 / 100)
Image gallery
Licensed images linked to the species or, when marked, to the closest representative taxon.
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