Albino Corydoras Breeding Guide

How to breed albino corydoras (the albino form of Corydoras aeneus): sexing, a cool-water-change trigger, the T-position spawn, and fry care.

Overview

The albino corydoras is an albino colour form of the bronze corydoras (Corydoras aeneus), distinguished by a pale pink or orange body and red eyes. The species ranges across South America east of the Andes, from Colombia and Trinidad to the Rio de la Plata basin, and breeds in captivity in the same way as the wild type via the T-position.

Sexing

Females tend to grow larger and become noticeably rounder and broader-bodied than males, especially when gravid; the higher body frame reflects the larger abdominal region. The albino form is sexed by the same body cues, since colour is not a guide.

Conditioning

Condition the group on a varied diet of live and frozen foods. Use a male-to-female ratio of about 2:1 to improve fertilisation.

Breeding Setup

Trigger spawning with a substantial 50-70% water change using cooler water while increasing oxygenation and flow, repeating daily until the fish spawn. Maintain general parameters of about 21-27 C, pH 6.0-8.0 and moderate hardness.

Spawning Behavior & Trigger

In the T-position the male presents his flank and the female attaches to his vent; an egg clutch is fertilised by a single male, and females spawn multiple small clutches at a time. Eggs are typically deposited on the glass, though fine-leaved plants or spawning mops are also used. A single spawning can produce up to about 200 eggs.

Egg & Fry Care

After spawning, remove either the adults or the eggs; eggs can be gently rolled up the glass with a finger and moved to a container with matching, well-oxygenated water. Incubation is normally 3-4 days; once the yolk sacs are absorbed the fry accept small live foods such as microworm and Artemia nauplii, and do better over a thin sand layer.

Common Challenges

Fungus on eggs is common; many breeders use methylene blue or alder cones to protect a clutch. Some albino lines descend from inbred stock and may show slower-growing or weaker fry, so introducing unrelated breeders helps maintain vigour.