Bronze corydoras
Espécie Freshwater fish Corydoras aeneus
Written with AI assistance, not yet checked by a person. Treat the details as a starting point and confirm important decisions with a vet or a breeder.
Overview
A peaceful armoured catfish of about 6-7 cm that searches the bottom with its barbels. Keep a group of at least 6 on fine sand in a tank of 60 L or more at about 21-26 °C. Hardy and a good community fish, but sensitive to dirty substrate, salt and some medications.
Widespread in South America (from Venezuela and Trinidad to the La Plata basin). One of the first and most common aquarium catfish; captive-bred fish and albino forms are widely sold.
- Purchase price
- Pet quality €2–5
- Care difficulty
- Beginner
- Long, flowing fins
- Não
- Adult body length
- 6–7.5 cm
- Good with other pets
- Activity pattern
- Cathemeral
- Temperament
- Peaceful and sociable; a group forages together and often rests in a bunch. It darts to the surface now and then to gulp air, which is normal. Do not rely on it to "clean up" leftovers: it needs its own sinking food. Breeding: often spawns after a cool water change; the female sticks eggs to glass and plants.
- Temperament
- Peaceful
- Schooling fish
- Sim
- Nips the fins of other fish
- Não
- Keep only one per tank
- Não
Health and common problems
These are common issues for this animal, not a diagnosis. If you are worried about your animal, see a vet.
Ammonia and nitrite poisoning
Frequency: Uncommon Emergência
Fish waste turns into ammonia and nitrite, which are toxic. In a new tank that is not cycled yet, an overstocked tank, or after the filter bacteria are destroyed, levels rise fast. This is the most common cause of death of new aquarium fish.
- Signs to look for
- Gasping at the surface, red or dark gills, lethargy, clamped fins, sudden deaths, cloudy water.
- How to handle it
- Large water change at once. Corydoras are sensitive to salt and to copper-based medications: check the label before treating the tank.
- When to see a vet
- If fish keep dying after the water tests are normal again. Prevention is cycling the tank for several weeks before adding fish.
- First aid
- Test the water at once, do a large water change (with conditioned water at the same temperature), stop feeding for a day and do not clean the filter in tap water.
Columnaris (cotton-wool disease)
Frequency: Uncommon Serious
A bacterial infection that causes white or grey patches on the mouth, skin and gills. It spreads fast in warm water with poor quality and is often confused with fungus.
- Signs to look for
- Fluffy or greyish patches, a white rim around the mouth, a pale band on the back (saddleback), frayed fins, fast breathing.
- When to see a vet
- Quickly, because it can kill within days; antibiotic treatment should be chosen with professional advice.
- First aid
- Do a partial water change, lower the temperature a little within the fish's range and isolate affected fish if possible.
Fin rot
Frequency: Uncommon Leve
Bacteria eat the edges of the fins, usually after poor water quality, injury or stress.
- Signs to look for
- Ragged, shortened or whitish fin edges, red edges at the base.
- Prevention
- Keep the sand clean by siphoning and do not overfeed.
- When to see a vet
- If the rot reaches the body or does not improve after the water is corrected.
- First aid
- Test the water and do a partial water change. Keep the tank clean.
Ich (white spot disease)
Frequency: Uncommon Moderado
A common parasite of aquarium fish that shows as small white dots. It spreads fast in a tank and is worse after stress or cold shocks.
- Signs to look for
- White dots on skin and fins, rubbing on objects, clamped fins, fast breathing.
- How to handle it
- Treat the whole tank with an ich product made for aquariums, following the label; remove activated carbon from the filter during treatment.
- Prevention
- Quarantine new fish for 2-4 weeks and avoid sudden temperature drops.
- When to see a vet
- If fish keep dying, or you are not sure which disease it is.
- First aid
- Raise the temperature slowly within what your fish tolerate and follow the instructions of an ich treatment made for aquariums.
Care and maintenance
-
25 % water change
every week
Siphon about 25 % of the water from the bottom and refill with conditioned tap water at the same temperature.
-
Test the water
every week
Check ammonia, nitrite and nitrate (and pH); act on any ammonia or nitrite reading.
-
Rinse the filter sponge
every month
Squeeze the sponge in a bucket of old tank water, never under the tap: tap water kills the useful bacteria. Replace media only in parts.
-
Count the fish and check the temperature
every day
At feeding time count the fish, look for clamped fins, spots or heavy breathing, and read the thermometer. Remove uneaten food after a few minutes.
-
Clean the glass and trim plants
every 2 weeks
Wipe algae from the front glass and remove dead leaves.
Entrar to add these tasks to your reminders for your Bronze corydoras.
What it costs
This is an estimate, not a quote. It multiplies typical amounts by typical prices in Sérvia. Your real costs depend on the shops, the vet and the animal. Change the assumptions below to match your situation.
Who it gets along with
Worked out from the traits of this animal. Individual animals differ, and introductions should always be slow and supervised.
Usually good with
-
Cats
Based on the typical temperament of Bronze corydoras (5/5). -
Dogs
Based on the typical temperament of Bronze corydoras (5/5). -
Small pets
Based on the typical temperament of Bronze corydoras (5/5). -
Birds
Based on the typical temperament of Bronze corydoras (5/5). -
Fish
Based on the typical temperament of Bronze corydoras (5/5).
Not enough information about: children, seniors, strangers.
Set-up and food
- Minimum group size
- 6 animals
- Substrate / bedding
- Sand
- Water temperature
- 21–26 °C
- pH
- 6–8
- General hardness (GH)
- 2–15 dGH
- Minimum tank size
- Group of 6 or more 60 l
- Swimming level
- Bottom
- Needs live plants
- Não
- Needs hiding places
- Sim
- Water flow
- Low
- Diet type
- Omnivore
Corydoras group, 80 L with sand
80 L About €200 (estimate)
An 80 L tank with a large sand area, a filter, heater, some plants and roots for shade; room for 6-8 corydoras plus a group of mid-water fish.
- Aquarium tank – 80 L, long rather than tall
- Fine sand substrate
- Aquarium filter
- Aquarium heater – 75 W
- Aquarium thermometer
- Aquarium light
- 8 × Live plants
- Water conditioner
- Water test kit
Equipment
Required
-
Aquarium filter
Keeps the water clean and moving and holds the useful bacteria; sized to the tank. Cycle the tank with the filter running for 4-6 weeks before adding fish. -
Aquarium heater
Holds the water at the right temperature; a thermostat model is the norm. -
Aquarium tank
at least 60 L
Glass or acrylic tank on a stand that carries the full weight (about 1 kg per litre). -
Aquarium thermometer
Checks that the heater works; read it daily. -
Fine sand substrate
Smooth, rounded sand that does not hurt the barbels of bottom fish. Fine, rounded sand protects the barbels. -
Water conditioner
Removes chlorine and chloramine so tap water is safe for fish. -
Water test kit
Drop tests or strips for ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, pH and hardness. Ammonia, nitrite and nitrate; daily during cycling, weekly afterwards.
Recommended
-
Aquarium lid
Stops fish that jump and slows evaporation. -
Aquarium light
LED lighting on a timer, about 8 hours a day; stronger light is needed for demanding plants. -
Gravel siphon and bucket
For water changes and cleaning the substrate; keep the bucket only for the aquarium. -
Live plants
Use up waste, give cover and calm shy fish; easy species need no extra fertiliser.
Alimentação
- Frozen bloodworms – 2-3 times a week.
- Sinking tablets / wafers – One small tablet per 2-3 fish, given after lights out if other fish take it. Daily.
Breeding
- Breeding type
- Egg depositor
Breeding is a big responsibility. Many animals in shelters are waiting for a home; ask a vet and a breeders association before you plan a litter.
Legal
Check your local law. Rules about keeping, importing and selling animals differ between countries and regions and change often. What is written here may be out of date; ask your local authority before you buy or adopt.
No specific legal rules are recorded for this animal.
General information, not veterinary advice. Every animal is an individual. Typical values and costs are estimates. Talk to a vet, a breeder or a shelter before you decide, and see a vet if your animal is unwell.