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Bronze Catfish []
Corydoras aeneus
Synonyms:
Callichthys aeneus, Corydoras macrosteus, Hoplosternum aeneum
Physical description: The body is stocky and deep, with an arched back. Two rows of bony
plates make up each side of the fish. The upper has 21-23 plates, while the lower 19-21. Two pairs of barbels are
located on the upper jaw. The lower plates ranges in color from bronze to yellow to reddish-brown to white. The
upper row of plates have a green to golden iridescence, when good water conditions are maintained. The fins are
the tan to bronze in color.
Size/Length: To 3" (8 cm)
Similar species: Long-finned Brochis (
Brochis britskii ), Giant Brochis
(Brochis multiradiatus
), Emerald Catfish (
Brochis splendens ), Golden-eared
Cory (Corydoras
eques ), Black-band Cory (
Corydoras
melanotaenia
), Zygatus Cory (
Corydoras zygatus )
H: Along banks of slow-moving rivers with sandy bottoms. South America; from Rio de la Plata to Venezuela; also on the island of Trinidad.
A: bottom
Aquarium: 20" (50 cm) or 10 gallons (38 L).
See genus description for more
information
Water chemistry: pH 5.8-7.8 (7.0), 2-30 dH (10), 72-82°F (22-28°C)
FOOD: Live; aquatic insects, white worms,
Tubifex , brine shrimp, insect larvae;
tablets; flake
Social behavior: Follow suggestions for
B. splendens.
Social behavior: Smaller tetras, Discus, Dwarf Cichlids, Livebearers, Gouramis, Barbs,
Danios, Killifish
Suggested companions: The females are larger and plumper behind their pectoral fins, and
less colorful. Easier to sex when viewed from above.
Breeding techniques: Spawning is initiated by the addition of cooler water. The female carries eggs between her ventral fins to a preselected spawning site (glass walls, leaves,
rocks).
Transfer eggs to a dark, well-aerated rearing tank. Fry are easy to raise on microworms,
Artemia , and tablets.
Breeding potential: 5.
Breeding the Bronze Catfish
is not difficult in a species tank.
Remarks: One of the easiest of all Catfish in care.
An albino variation is widely
available.
Difficulty of care: 2.
A hardy, community scavenger.
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