Corydoras venezuelanus
Corydoras venezuelanus in nature inhabits streams and rivers of the lower Rio Tuy and Lake Valencia in the states of Miranda, Aragua and Carabobo in Northern Venezuela. This species can also be found in nearby Orinoco tributaries such as the Rio Chirgua and other rivers and streams. These fish prefer cooler waters and therefore are never found in the Ilanos plains.
The basic coloration of Corydoras venezuelanus is orange-brown with a blue-gray spot on the side around the breast and dorsal fin. Males are slightly smaller and slimmer than females. Females have a more rounded abdomen. The fish grow to about 5 cm in length.
Corydoras venezuelanus peace-loving and active fish that are constantly on the move, digging in the sandy substrate in search of food. The fish have very delicate antennae, so use a gravel substrate can not be, as a rule, it is abrasive and leads to trauma antennae, which leads to infections and the inability to find food. Fish spend most of their time near the bottom.
Keeping Corydoras venezuelanus is recommended in a group of at least 6 individuals. In the wild they are often found in huge flocks of several hundred individuals. Possible content in a common aquarium with other peace-loving fish, preferably occupying the middle and upper layers of water.
The aquarium volume of 80 liters. At the bottom must be placed large stones and snags. The perimeter is desirable to plant aquarium plants in the shade which will hide fish. Also need to take care of free space for swimming.
Water parameters: temperature 21-27° C, hardness dH 5-20°, pH 6,0-8,0. Requires quality filtration, aeration and a weekly change of ¼ of the aquarium water with fresh. Coridoras may lose their mustache if the water quality is poor and in the benthic layer formed ammonia and harmful bacteria. This almost always happens in gravel aquariums if there is no sand on the bottom.
Corydoras venezuelanus in aquarium conditions eat almost any food. They are fed sinking flakes, pellets, and tablets. Live and frozen bloodworms and artemia nauplii. The food is given once a day.
Reproduction
Breeding Corydoras venezuelanus is similar to other species in the genus.
Spawning is preceded by strong and active activity, the males swim nervously in the aquarium, then the female descends to the bottom, followed by several males, one of which presses his head to her belly. Spawning can take from 1 to 3 hours, the female lays eggs in batches of 5-12 eggs. In total, it hatches on the leaves of plants and walls of the aquarium about 200 eggs. Larvae hatch after 5-6 days. After spawning manufacturers need to remove because, although they do not eat eggs, fry they can eat.
In the spawning tank with fry lower the water level to 10 cm. Starter feed is "live dust" and small dry food, and after 1-1.5 weeks the fry begin to give nauplii Artemia.
.
The life expectancy of Corydoras venezuelanus in aquarium conditions is about 9 years.
