Breeding Corydoras garbei (Garbe's Cory)

Breeding guide for Corydoras garbei (now Brochis garbei): sexing, water parameters and the documented T-position spawning of 2–4 sticky eggs per pass.

Overview

Corydoras garbei (now placed in the genus Brochis as Brochis garbei) is an armoured catfish (family Callichthyidae) endemic to Brazil, found in the São Francisco River basin, reaching about 4.3 cm standard length. It is an egg-laying species that spawns in the Corydoras T-position.

Sexing

As in other members of the group, females grow larger and become broader and deeper-bodied than males when sexually mature, an effect most visible from above when females are full of eggs.

Breeding Setup

• Temperature: 22–26 °C
• pH: 6.0–8.0
• Hardness: 2–25 dH
• Provide glass, fine-leaved plants and/or spawning mops as deposition surfaces (general Corydoras practice; flagged)

Spawning Behavior & Trigger

The female holds 2–4 eggs between her pelvic fins while the male fertilises them. The pair repeats this process until about 100 eggs have been fertilised and attached. The eggs are very sticky and are deposited on suitable substrates after fertilisation.

Egg & Fry Care

Following the general Corydoras pattern (flagged: not species-specific timing for C. garbei), eggs hatch within a few days and the fry take small live foods such as microworm and Artemia nauplii once free-swimming. Maintain excellent water quality and rear fry over a thin layer of sand.