Black Venezuela Corydoras (Corydoras schultzei Black Venezuela)

The Black Venezuela Cory Catfish is a rare colour variant of the Gold Flash Cory Catfish. This species was developed and line-bred by German aquarists in the 1990s and has since circulated to hobbyists worldwide. Still, it does not seem to be commercially bred as much as other common Corydoras species.

Black Venezuela Cory Catfish are a very peaceful, active and hardy species that makes a striking addition to any established community aquarium. However, these Corys are shoaling species in nature; therefore, it would be best to maintain them in a group of at least five individuals, preferably more.

Ideal tankmates for the Black Venezuela Cory Catfish could include smaller species such as Rasboras, small Barbs, Pencilfish, Dwarf Cichlids, Angelfish and Tetras. However, it is recommended that you do not house these Corys with larger, more boisterous or aggressive species as they may be intimidated and outcompeted for food.

Ideally, the aquarium should have plenty of shady areas; you can achieve this by adding things like driftwood, bogwood, and smooth rocks, as well as areas of dense planting. Unfortunately, these Corydoras can be slightly prone to barbel infections and erosion; therefore, it is essential that you keep these fish on a soft sandy substrate rather than gravel to protect these fragile sensory organs.

Routine maintenance, including frequent partial water changes, should be carried out to allow these fish to thrive.

The Black Venezuela Cory Catfish displays a black and dark maroon colouration across their entire body, and all their fins are a reddish colour that darkens as they mature.

Photos of Black Venezuela Corydorass

Natural Habitat

Black Venezuela Cory Catfish are a line bred variant from the Corydoras Schultzei; therefore, they do not have a natural habitat. However, Corydoras Schultzei originates from Peru in South America.

Other Corydoras of interest

What to feed the Black Venezuela Corydoras

Black Venezuela Cory Catfish are primarily bottom feeders, so you should offer them sinking pellets and wafers as the staple diet. It would be beneficial if you also provided them with the occasional feedings of live and frozen foods such as bloodworm, white mosquito larvae and brine shrimp, as this will help keep your Corys in optimum health.

While these fish are scavengers, you must ensure that they receive a good variety of high-quality foods and are not just expected to eat leftover food that other fish do not eat.

How to Sex the Black Venezuela Corydoras

It is somewhat challenging to distinguish between the male and female Black Venezuela Cory Catfish. However, mature females seem to grow larger and appear much more rounded than the males when viewed from above, especially when they are full of eggs.

How to Breed the Black Venezuela Corydoras

You can breed Black Venezuela Cory Catfish similarly to many other Corydoras species.

You can encourage pairs to spawn by performing a significant, slightly cooler water change. The couple will then take on the classic 'T position', and the male will fertilise the eggs that the female is holding between her pelvic fins. The female will then deposit the adhesive eggs onto décor, plants, or the sides of the aquarium, where they will then repeat the process.

Once spawning is complete, you should remove either the adults or the eggs and place them in a separate tank; you can usually roll the eggs gently up the glass with your finger. Whichever option you choose, the new tank needs to contain the same water as the spawning tank and be similarly well-oxygenated. Unfortunately, the eggs of this species are susceptible to fungus, so adding a small amount of methylene blue to the tank is recommended.

The eggs typically take 3 to 4 days to hatch, and once the fry has fully absorbed their yolk sacs, you can then offer them finely powdered first foods or microworms. Then, a few days later, they will be able to take baby brine shrimp.

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