Breeding Corydoras gomezi (Gomez's Cory)
Breeding guide for Corydoras gomezi: sexing, conditioning, the cool soft-water spawning trigger, T-position mating and fry care.
Overview
Corydoras gomezi is an armoured catfish (family Callichthyidae) from the Tres Fronteras region of the western Amazon basin, near the Brazil/Colombia/Peru borders, reaching about 50–60 mm. It is an egg-depositor that spawns in the Corydoras T-position.
Sexing
Females tend to grow larger, and sexually mature individuals are noticeably broader and deeper-bodied than males, most obvious from above when females are full of eggs.
Conditioning
Condition adults on a varied diet of small live and frozen foods until females are full of eggs. Use a ratio of two or more males per female if possible.
Breeding Setup
- Temperature: 20–26 °C
- pH: 6.0–7.5
- Hardness: 36–215 ppm
- Provide glass, fine-leaved plants and/or sunken spawning mops; mops are recommended for easy egg removal
Spawning Behavior & Trigger
Trigger spawning by performing a large (50–70%) water change with cooler water and increasing oxygenation and flow. Repeat daily until the fish spawn. The female cups the sticky eggs between her pelvic fins, fertilises them in the T-position, and deposits them on glass, vegetation or a mop.
Egg & Fry Care
Incubation is normally 3–4 days. Once the yolk sacs are absorbed, fry accept small live foods such as microworm and Artemia nauplii. They require excellent water quality and do better over a thin layer of sand than on bare glass.