Corydoras Catfish: Optimal Benthic Cleaners and Scavengers

One doesn't have to look to far or that hard to find a variety of catfish at their local pet shop or on line venue perfectly suited for their aquarium. their are over 70 species of "Cory" catfish with which to chose from. These South American armored cats represent the family of cats known as Callichthyidae for all you biologists out there.

The popularity associated with catfish, especially the corydoras species has skyrocketed in the past few years and for good reason. The corydoras cats remain very small allowing anyone with a tank no matter what size, the pleasure and ability to house one or more of these hard working fish. The size attained by most of these cats is a mere 2-3 inches so size is no issue in desiring to add one to your tank population.

Their hardiness and peaceful disposition are a couple other good standing traits that add to their increasing popularity. Really, the only thing one needs to be concerned with and take note of is the housing of larger fish that may find corydoras cats a favorable snack should the temptation arise. Water quality is the same for any and all fish species. That being a constant water temperature around 74-80, proper pH as well as low nitrate and negligible nitrite and ammonia levels, and a proper diet of both proteinaceous and vegetable matter fed periodically each day throughout the day.

The ideal way to ensure that your Cory cat is feeding is to provide a vegetable pellet that will sink quickly to the bottom reducing the chances of it being eaten by fish in the pelagic region of your tank, that are much faster and better able to locate and consume the food before it has a chance to reach the bottom for bottom feeders such as cats and plecostomus. One word of caution regarding catfish! They are not to be considered as detrivores, feeding primarily on detritus and other wastes as this is an urban legend that is a false statement. The do not feed on waste, but will scour over the benthic areas of your tank in search of uneaten foods stuff, to aid in the clarity and quality of your water. Please don't add these or any other catfish solely in anticipation of these cats removing waste from your substrate. If you do they will ultimately die in due time. Brine shrimp, mosquito larvae, beef heart and blood worms are a great choice along with romaine lettuce, kale or spinach. Regular iceberg lettuce should be avoided as the nutrient value associated with this lettuce is very low.

It is best to keep 4 or more of these together in one tank, though they will do fine as a single specimen or pair. Watching these cats combing the bottom of your tank in search of food in a school is definitely an enjoyable sight to see. The ability to mix and match these cats allows you to diversify and expand on coloration and pattern in the benthic areas of your tank. Various shapes, patterns and hues in shades of white, creams, browns and black offer contrast and a unique mixture to your bottom area of the tank.

Creating a tropical environment for corydoras as close to their natural state is ideal. This includes rock work, live plants for water quality and food(nutrition) and polished substrate, thus reducing the chances of your corydoras cat injuring its mouth from the sharp gravel/substrate as a result of searching for food.

If your desire is to try and breed these cats, it is best to have two males per female. females are usually larger than their male counterpart and females normally possess more blunt dorsal fins Once the breeding pair has fertilized the eggs, for best results it is best to drop the temperature below 70 degrees and soften the water with a peet substance.

These fish can really add to the enjoyment of your tank, not to mention the many beneficial properties that are associated with these cats. "The price is right", their ease of purchasing, hardiness and peaceful demeanor affords this a place in each and everyones tropical fish tank in my opinion.