Breeding Corydoras haraldschultzi

Breeding Corydoras haraldschultzi: sexing, cooler water-change trigger, egg deposition in the pelvic basket, and fry rearing.

Overview

Corydoras haraldschultzi (also placed in the genus Brochis) is a callichthyid catfish endemic to the Rio Guapore in Bolivia and western Brazil (Mato Grosso). Seriously Fish gives a maximum standard length of 75-85 mm. It is a long-snouted lookalike of C. sterbai, distinguished by its more extended snout, larger adult size, and dark vermiculations and spots on a light background (the reverse of C. sterbai's light markings on a dark background).

Sexing

Females tend to grow larger, and sexually mature individuals are noticeably broader and deeper-bodied than males. Wikipedia notes the female drops eggs into her ventral fin pouch before placing them at a previously cleaned site.

Conditioning

Condition the group thoroughly and keep two or more males per female if possible, which improves fertilisation rates during spawning.

Breeding Setup

Provide flat surfaces such as the aquarium glass, fine-leaved plants, or spawning mops as deposition sites. Fry perform better over a thin layer of sand than in a bare tank.

Spawning Behaviour & Trigger

Trigger spawning with a large 50-70% water change using cooler water, and increase oxygenation and flow. Repeat daily until the fish spawn. Eggs reported on Wikipedia measure about 2 mm in diameter and are laid mainly on the underside of fern leaves, close together; adults do not guard the eggs.

Egg & Fry Care

Eggs are deposited on the glass, among fine-leaved vegetation, or within sunken spawning mops, the latter recommended for easy removal. Incubation is normally 3-4 days, after which yolk-absorbed fry accept small live foods such as microworm and Artemia nauplii. Maintain excellent water quality throughout.

Common Challenges

Because adults do not guard the eggs, eggs and fry are best moved away from adults to prevent predation; fungal loss is reduced by removing infertile eggs and adding antifungal agents.