How to Breed Corydoras: Step-by-Step for Hobbyists

Breeding your own fish is a magical part of the aquarium hobby, and Corydoras catfish are one of the best species to start with. Watching their fascinating spawning behavior and raising the tiny fry is incredibly rewarding. This guide will walk you through the entire process, from conditioning your group to raising healthy young fish.

Conditioning and Sexing

Start with a healthy group of at least 6 mature Corydoras of the same species. To condition them for breeding, feed a high-protein diet of live or frozen foods like bloodworms, daphnia, and brine shrimp for 1-2 weeks. Sexing can be tricky; females are typically larger and more robust when viewed from above, while males are smaller and more slender.

Spawning Tank Setup and Triggers

A separate 40-60 litre breeding tank is ideal. A bare-bottom tank makes it easy to see and collect the eggs. Include a gentle sponge filter and some broad-leafed plants (like Anubias) or spawning mops for them to lay their eggs on. To trigger spawning, perform a large (50-70%) water change with slightly cooler water. This simulates a rainstorm, which is a natural spawning trigger.

Raising Fry and Feeding Schedule

After the female lays her adhesive eggs on the glass or plants, it's best to move the eggs to a separate hatching container with an airline to prevent fungus. The eggs will hatch in 3-5 days. The fry will first consume their yolk sac. Once they are free-swimming, you can begin feeding. Start with infusoria or powdered fry food, then move on to newly hatched baby brine shrimp as they grow. Perform small daily water changes in the fry tank to keep the water pristine.