Swartzs Cory Cat

General information

These fish have a silver body with two horizontal dark stripes and a bronze head with a dark stripe on the eyes. These fish are usually 2.5 inches. Corys are facultative air breathers due to their highly vascularized intestine so they often go to the surface to have a gulp of air. To keep these fish in captivity, water pH should be between 5.8 and 7.0 and water temperature ranging from 72ºF to 79ºF. The tank should be well planted with many hiding places and have a sandy substrate. This species is peaceful and can be kept in a community aquarium with other peaceful species. These fish should be kept in groups of at least 6.

This species is omnivorous. It should be fed with dried, live and frozen foods.

Mature females are larger and rounder than males.

To breed this species in captivity, it is very important to feed them with live food and do cold water changes. Once the female starts getting fatter, which means she is full of eggs, the male will start to chase her around. They will then do a T-shaped position and fertilize the eggs. Eggs take 3 to 4 days to hatch.

This species originates in South America. It inhabits creeks, small tributaries and sand banks.

Corys have hardened pectoral spines that are able to pierce human skin so these fish should be handled carefully. This spines get easily entangled in a net’s mesh so a plastic container should be used to move them.

It is very important to keep a clean aquarium to prevent any damage to the barbels of the fish.