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Home > Small Corydoras species meet the armored catfish family
Small Corydoras species meet the armored catfish family
Corydoras is a genus of South American fish from the armored catfish family. These wonderful little catfish are go by the names cory catfish, cories, and corydorases. The genus name Corydoras is from the Greek word kory or helmet and the doras refers to skin. This is probably one of the largest Neotropical fishes with over 142 species of catfish. There are so many undescribed Corydoras that its speculated to have some three hundred species not yet classified. Many of these fish are given what are referred to as C-numbers which you can refer to in the great book by Aqualog called Corydoras All C-Numbers Book
Species belonging the genus Corydoras are typically small but may range from one to four inches with a broad diversity of body shapes, coloration and markings. In the wild they occupy smaller streams next to the margins of larger rivers including marshes and ponds. Most of the aforementioned water is considered slow moving shallow and very clear water. As in the aquarium these catfish are bottom-dwellers spending their time in shoals foraging in the sand, gravel and detritus.
The primary food source for these catfish consists of insect larvae, insects, and worms including vegetable matter. They have been known to eat the flesh from dead fish. An interesting characteristic of this genus is the way they source their food, by using their snout which they bury up to their eyes, there sensory barbels or whiskers aid in locating food in the substrate. While they inhabit a broad range of water types with respect to pH cory catfish do will in neutral, slightly acid or slight alkaline water respectively.
Unlike many other catfish which are nocturnal, Corydoras species are very active during the day which makes them so enjoyable to watch. Cories are extremely popular among catfish hobbyists as well as cichlid hobbyists who include them with their dward cichlid species such as Apistrogramma and Pelvachromis species in a community tank environment. These catfish are generally peaceful and are even kept with tropical fish like common tetras and barbs. When adding them to a tank, be sure to pick up at least four to six individuals so them may shoal together and feed. As stated these small cats are hardy, very active and enjoyable to observe
Sterbai Corydoras - Sterba Cory - FREE S&H!
Resources and Links on Corydoras catfish
Small Corydoras species
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