Bronze Corydoras, also known as the Emerald Green Cory, Green Corydoras, Bronze Catfish, Lightspot Corydoras, or Wavy Catfish, has the scientific name Corydoras aeneus.
It’s a tropical freshwater fish that belongs to the “armored catfish” family, Callichthyidae, and is often kept in aquariums by fish enthusiasts.
This fish is found throughout South America on the eastern side of the Andes, ranging from Colombia and Trinidad to the Río de la Plata basin.
It was first described by Theodore Gill in 1858 and has been referred to by other names, such as Hoplosoma aeneum and Callichthys aeneus.
Bronze Corydoras are mostly found in calm, shallow waters with soft bottoms, but they can also be found in running waters.
They live near the bottom of the water (benthic) and typically swim in schools of 20 to 30 individuals.
These fish can breathe air through their intestines, allowing them to take in air 1 to 45 times per hour.
They are active at night (nocturnal) and feed on worms, crustaceans, insects, and plant matter.
Spawning, or laying eggs, occurs when there is a change in the water’s physical and chemical quality due to the start of the rainy season.
When keeping these fish in an aquarium, it’s recommended to keep them in groups of at least 5 individuals and have a minimum tank size of 60 cm (about 24 inches).
Bronze Corydoras Interesting Facts
- Bronze corydoras are tropical freshwater fish found in South America.
- They prefer quiet, shallow waters with soft bottoms but can also be found in running waters.
- These fish stay in schools of 20 to 30 individuals and are nocturnal feeders.
- They breathe air intestinally up to 45 times per hour and spawn during the rainy season.
- In aquariums, they should be kept in groups of five or more with a minimum tank size of 60 cm.
Bronze Corydoras Habitat
Bronze corydoras is found in South America.
Its distribution range extends from Colombia and Trinidad to the La Plata River basin, located east of the Andes mountains.
This fish is a freshwater species that lives near the bottom of the water (demersal).
It prefers water with a pH level between 6.0 and 8.0, a hardness between 5 and 19 dH, and a temperature range of 77°F to 82°F (25°C to 28°C).
Bronze corydoras lives in subtropical climates.
| Water Temperature: | 77°F to 82°F (25°C to 28°C) |
| Water pH: | 6.0 to 8.0 pH |
| Water Hardness: | 5 to 19 dH |
Bronze Corydoras Physical Characteristics
Size: 2.95 inches (7.5 centimeters)
Bronze corydoras can grow up to a maximum length of 7.5 cm (about 2.95 inches).
This fish has 1 dorsal spine (spine on its back), 7 dorsal soft rays (soft, flexible fin supports), 1 to 2 anal spines (spines near its rear end), and 5 to 6 anal soft rays.
It has a short, rounded snout, a body height that is 2.5 to 2.9 times smaller than its standard length, and an interorbital space (the space between the eyes) that is 2 to 2.2 times smaller than its total length.
The pectoral spine (a spine near the front of the fish) is slightly denticulated (tooth-like) on the inner side and is 3.5 to 4.5 times smaller than the standard length.
Bronze corydoras also has 23 to 24 dorsal plates, 20 to 22 ventral plates, and 2 to 5 pre-adipose plates.
Its body color is yellow or pink, with a white belly, a blue-grey color over its head and back, and yellow or pink fins without spots.
There is usually a brownish-orange patch on the head just before the dorsal fin, which is the most distinctive feature when viewed from above in the stream.
Bronze Corydoras Reproduction
During the breeding process, bronze corydoras take on a “T” shaped position.
The male is at the top of the “T”, while the female is positioned perpendicular to him. The male uses his whisker-like barbels to stimulate the female’s head and back.
The female then collects sperm from the male in her mouth, lays about 20 eggs (which are yellow and 1 mm in size), and picks them up with her pelvic fins.
She then fertilizes the eggs and attaches them to underwater rocks or plants.
This process continues for 2 to 3 hours, resulting in 100 to 200 eggs being laid. The fish can spawn multiple times in a single season.
At a temperature of 22°C (about 72°F), the eggs hatch after 5 days, and the yolk sac is absorbed 3 days later.
Bronze Corydoras Scientific Classification
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Order: | Siluriformes |
| Family: | Callichthyidae |
| Genus: | Corydoras |
| Scientific Name: | Corydoras aeneus |
| Also Known As: | Emerald Green Cory, Green Corydoras, Bronze Catfish, Lightspot Corydoras, Wavy Catfish |
| Conservation Status: | Least Concern |