Venezuela Black Cory (Corydoras sp. CW084) Care Guide
A dark, near-solid-black cory of the bronze (aeneus / venezuelanus) complex from Venezuelan coastal drainages, traded as Venezuela Black (CW084).
Overview
CW084, the Venezuela Black, is a dark callichthyid catfish of the bronze (aeneus) complex. It resembles Corydoras aeneus in build but shows a near-solid black, black-violet body with violet-red fins under strong light. It is a peaceful, bottom-dwelling shoaling fish.
Taxonomy
- Family: Callichthyidae
- Genus: Corydoras
- Scientific name: Corydoras sp. CW084
- Status: undescribed aquarist 'CW-number' form discussed as Corydoras cf. venezuelanus 'black'; a separate line-bred 'Black' cory of schultzei origin also exists in the trade. Not a formally described species
Habitat
Sources place wild Venezuelan black corys in coastal drainages of northern Venezuela north of the Serrania del Interior, including the Rio Tuy system, the Lake Valencia drainage and smaller rivers such as the Rio Guapo. There, populations referred to as Corydoras cf. venezuelanus 'black' are encountered.
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank volume: 80 L
- Temperature: 22-26 °C (72-79 °F)
- pH: 6.0-7.5
- GH: 2-12 °dGH
- School size: 6 or more individuals
- Lifespan: 5-10 years
- Substrate: fine sand to protect the barbels
Diet
An omnivore that forages over the bottom, sifting sand. It accepts sinking prepared foods alongside frozen and live foods, in the manner of other aeneus-group corys.
Compatibility
Temperament is peaceful. It is a shoaling species best kept in groups of six or more with calm community fish, away from aggressive cichlids.
Breeding
It is an egg-depositor with intermediate breeding difficulty. Sources note egg numbers similar to bronze and albino aeneus, but report that the fry can be more sensitive to water conditions in their first couple of months, after which losses typically cease.