Breeding Julii Cory (Corydoras Julii) In The Aquarium

Julii Cory, Leopard Corydoras, Julii Catfish, Leopard Catfish, Julii Corydoras

Distribution

The Peppered Corydoras is a freshwater fish that naturally inhabits the Amazon (main stream and coastal zones) and its tributaries in northeastern Brazil (near the Rio Parnaiba river).

External Appearance

The Peppered Corydoras is characterized by its pink-white body coloring with dark spots all over the body. Along its sides, the spots form a not very wide line that runs from the gill covers to the base of the tail. There is a black spot on the dorsal fin. Like all Catfish, it has two rows of bony plates along the sides of the body, spikes in the pectoral, dorsal and fat fins, and can breathe atmospheric air through a modified intestine. They do not have scales. The described species is very similar to Corydoras trilineatus, which comes from the upper Amazon basin and is more commonly found for sale. Usually, both species differ in the pattern of spots on their heads: the Peppered Corydoras has numerous small, less distinctive and more rounded spots, while Corydoras trilineatus has long, more visible and connected spots. But there are individuals of the Corydoras trilineatus species whose spots are deceptively similar to those of the Peppered Corydoras - hence many mistakes in the proper species classification by aquarists. A sexually mature female is larger than a male and thicker in the belly areas - this is especially noticeable when looking at the fish from above.

Disposition

The Peppered Corydoras is a schooling fish - it should be kept in a group of 4-6 individuals. It is also peaceful and sociable, can be easily bred with other fish of similar size and temperament. It is active and durable and can be recommended for novice aquarists. The fish feed from the bottom of the tank, so the applied dry food should sink. They are also sensitive to any contamination of the substrate (rotting food residues, etc.) - a dirty and neglected substrate damages their delicate whiskers and leads to more serious diseases.

Aquarium

These fish can be kept in both a community aquarium and a biotope aquarium. In the first case, provide fine, soft and clean substrate (sand or small gravel with smooth edges), hiding places in the form of caves made of stones with smooth edges, and plants. The light should be scattered - this will be provided by floating plants. However, they should not occupy the entire water surface so as not to limit the solubility of oxygen in the water. In the second case, the substrate should be sandy, the lighting scattered (e.g., a few drifting pieces of wood), decorative elements should be roots or sticks (arranged so as not to occupy the entire bottom surface of the tank). You can also add a few dried oak or beech leaves to the bottom of the aquarium, which are replaced regularly, every few weeks. The water should be tea-colored, which will be facilitated by adding peat to the filter or suspending a small amount of it in a net under the water surface. The fish require clean and well-oxygenated water. Regular and partial water changes are beneficial.

Reproduction

The fish is oviparous. We can breed it in both a general aquarium and a separate - breeding one. In the first case, we must provide sufficient number of places where the eggs will be deposited, and later the fry will hide. In the second case, the aquarium should have a layer of sand, numerous clumps of Java moss, there may also be flat stones. The water should be soft, slightly acidic, at a temperature of about 23°C, and the filter should have a secure outlet, e.g. a sponge. We transfer the group of fish (with a numerical predominance of males) to such a prepared tank and feed them abundantly with live products. When we notice that the females have clearly widened in the belly areas, in the morning hours we change about 50-70% of the water to cooler (20-21°C) and softer, increase its aeration and flow. We repeat this process every day until spawning is induced. Spawning takes place in a T position in the water column and is preceded by intense courtship. The male catches the female's whiskers between his pectoral fins. He releases milt, which passes to her belly fins (these fins are holding 4 egg grains at this moment) - fertilization takes place. The female swims away to deposit the eggs in a previously chosen place (usually in a clump of plants, on a stone or on the glass). The cycle is repeated, with males competing for admission by the female (remember, there are more males than females). After spawning (which can last a few hours, until the female deposits 100-150 eggs) we catch the parents. The eggs are susceptible to fungal infections. To protect them, you can add a few drops of methylene blue to the water, but you should check and remove spoiled eggs every day. Hatching occurs after 3-5 days (depending on the water temperature), and after another 3-4 days the fry swims freely in search of food.