Breeding Corydoras habrosus (Salt-and-Pepper Cory)
How to breed the dwarf Corydoras habrosus: sexing, conditioning, the cool soft-water spawning trigger, T-position mating and fry care.
Overview
Corydoras habrosus is a dwarf armoured catfish (family Callichthyidae) native to the upper Río Orinoco basin in eastern Colombia and western Venezuela, reaching about 30–35 mm. Like other Corydoras it is an egg-depositor that spawns in the classic T-position. Because of its small size it can be bred in a modest aquarium, though raising the tiny fry demands stable water quality.
Sexing
Females tend to grow larger, and sexually mature individuals are noticeably broader and deeper-bodied than males, an effect most obvious when females are full of eggs and viewed from above.
Conditioning
Condition adults heavily on a varied diet including small live and frozen foods until the females are visibly full of eggs. Keeping the group well-fed and in good water quality is the basis for a productive spawn. A ratio of two or more males per female improves fertilisation success.
Breeding Setup
- Temperature: 20–26 °C
- pH: 5.5–7.5
- Hardness: 36–179 ppm
- Provide aquarium glass, fine-leaved plants and/or sunken spawning mops as egg sites; mops are recommended because they let you move the eggs easily
Spawning Behavior & Trigger
When the females are full of eggs, perform a large (50–70%) water change with soft, cool water and increase oxygenation and flow in the tank. Repeat this daily until the fish spawn. During spawning the female cups the sticky eggs between her pelvic fins, fertilises them in the T-position with a male, then deposits them on the chosen surface.
Egg & Fry Care
Incubation is normally 3–4 days. Once the fry have fully absorbed their yolk sacs they accept small live foods such as microworm and Artemia (brine shrimp) nauplii. Fry require excellent water quality and seem less susceptible to ailments when raised over a thin layer of sand rather than on bare glass.
Common Challenges
Eggs are prone to fungus; many breeders add a few drops of methylene blue or an alder cone to the egg-rearing container. Adults may eat their own eggs, so removing either the eggs or the adults after spawning protects the clutch.