Bronze Cory
corydoras aeneus

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Cost: The Bronze Cory is one of the cheapest and most readily available Corydoras available these days. Most Bronze Cory’s can be purchased for $5-10.

Short Bio: The Bronze Cory is originally described from the island of Trinidad, but now a days this very popular Cory is distributed by farmers in the Far East to all over the world, and is very rarely imported from the wild anymore. There are many different forms available, more popular forms are the albino and long-finned types. These two particular forms were actually produced in the aquarium, the latter is man-made and not a natural form.
Cordoras Aeneus is cheap, hardy, and a great Cory for the first time Corydoras breeder.

Origin:
First described from the clear streams in western Trinidad. So-called variations are found in most of South America.

Sexual distinctions:

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Female Bronze Corys will be broader in the body, and will grow to a longer length then the males. The males will also have longer , more pointed pelvic fins.

Tank conditions:
The tank measurements should be at least 24 x 12 x 12 inches (60 x 30 x 30 cm).
The temperature should be between 64-68 degrees Fahrenheit ( 18-26 Celsius). Water quality is not that important, the Bronze Cory can live in water that is soft/acid to moderately hard/alkaline. Just do normal water changes, other then that the Bronze Cory will be fine.

The tank should have a substrate that is of smooth-grained sand, should be well-planted. There should also be some bogwood for hiding places, some nice smooth stones, and some floating plants that will help create subdued lighting.
You can keep up to 6 in one tank.
The Bronze Cory is a bottom-dweller that will forage amongst the plants, occasionally you can see the Bronze Cory dart to the surface to take a quick breath of air.

Food:
In the wild the Bronze Cory will eat insect larvae, shrimps, worms, and crustaceans. But in a controlled environment such as an aquarium, the Bronze Cory will readily accept flake food, tablets and granular.

Behavior:
The Bronze Cory behaves very peacefully and is a great addition to any aquarium.

Breeding:
The Bronze Cory is one of the easiest Corydoras species to breed. Cory pairs will come together and form the classic “T” mating clinch, after a spell of group courtship, the female will lay her eggs on plants, rock, and usually the aquarium sides. The eggs are very small, only measuring 1.7 millimeters in diameter.
Feed the Bronze Cory live daphnia, bloodworm and tubifex to help get the Bronze Cory into breeding condition.
A ratio of 2 males to 1 female will be the best if trying to breed.