Bandit Corydoras (Corydoras metae) Breeding Guide
How to breed Corydoras metae: 2:1 sex ratio, cooler-water trigger, T-position spawning, eggs on glass or mops, hatch in 3-4 days, fry on microworm and Artemia.
Overview
Corydoras metae is endemic to the Rio Meta basin in Colombia and reaches 40-50 mm standard length. Like other members of the genus it is an egg-depositing catfish that spawns in the classic T-position and is bred using a cooler-water change as the trigger.
Sexing
Females tend to grow larger, and sexually mature individuals are noticeably rounder and broader-bodied than males, especially when gravid. This is most obvious when the fish are viewed from above.
Conditioning
Condition the group on a varied diet of live, frozen and dried foods until the females are visibly full of eggs. A working sex ratio is two males per female. Maintain the fish within the species range of 20-26 degrees C, pH 6.0-7.5 and a hardness of 90-215 ppm.
Breeding Setup
A separate spawning tank can be used with a bare bottom, sand or fine gravel. Provide egg-deposition alternatives such as fine-leaved vegetation or fine spawning mops in addition to the aquarium glass.
Spawning Behavior & Trigger
Trigger spawning with a large (50-70%) water change using cooler water, while increasing oxygenation and flow, repeated daily until the fish spawn. During the classic T-position the male grasps the female's barbels between his pectoral fin and body; the female forms a basket with her pelvic fins, depositing single eggs although up to 4 may be released, normally on the aquarium glass.
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 nauplii. Newly hatched fry benefit from a thin layer of sand substrate and require excellent water quality.