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Corydoras aeneus, Gill, 1858

Origin:South-Amerika,Trinidad, Peru, Equador, Colombia, Venezuela, Surinam, Brasil.

Etymology: Aeneus(L)= Bronze, copper.

Synonyms:Hoplosoma aeneum, Gill, 1858; C. Microps, Eigenmann & Kennedy, 1903; C. Venezuelanus, R. von Ihering, 1911; C. Macrosteus, Regan, 1912; C. Schultzei, Holly, 1940. Corydoras macrosteus and Callichthys aeneus are also reported.

First import:Unk

Description:Bodycolour copper with dark blotches on the side, fins yellowish transparent ,have an iridescent glow on the sides. Many local differences.

Care::Hardy fish, good for beginners. Likes clean water with a reasonable flow, and lots of hiding places(flatstones). Dark sandy soil makes them more colourfull. Keep them at a temperature of 20-24°C

Temperature:16-30°C.

Feeding:Omnivorous, all food is taken.

Size: Male 6.5 cm, Female 7.5 cm.

pH: 6.5-7.5

Breeding: Has been bred under aquariumconditions. Use a standard breeding tank for corydoras ( See Corydoras breeding tank). Feed the fish well for 2-3 weeks, and perform weekly 10% waterchanges. Keep the temperature at 24 °C.Then perform a 50% waterchange with colder water. Temperature may sink to 16-19°C. Normally this will induce spawning. (Do not turn of the heater, let the temperature return to normal).

If this doesn't induce spawning, continue 50% colder waterchanges every other day. Lowering the waterlevel for a period of time may also help. Using a watersoftener, and changing the pH towards neutral or a little acid may also help.

One female can lay more than 400 eggs, approximately 1.5 mm, mostly on the glass in groups. Remove the eggs or the parents(better). After 3-4 days the eggs will hatch. The young are beige, with a dark stripe through the eye, with brown spots on the sides. Keep the water very clean by performing daily waterchanges. Feed small portions(artemia or ground flake) several times a day. Keep the waterlevel low, and the temperature of the air equal to the watertemperature to prevent colds

Sexual dimorphism: Females are larger and fatter than the males.

Prices:Netherlands: Min price € 1.00 - Max price € 3.00.

Additional:There is an albino C. Aeneus. Some shops sell artificially colored fish, which usually don't get much older than a year or two(carcinogenic). Shops that sell these fish are boycotted by me for obvious reasons. Owners do get an explanation!

Picture references:Picture 1 and 2: E. Naus.

References: Lambourne, D.(1995); Hieronimus, H.(1997).