Blacktop Corydoras (Corydoras acutus)

Blacktop Corydoras are excellent bottom-dwellers for scavenging leftover food, so your aquarium will remain cleaner and healthier. In addition, most community aquariums would benefit from these attractive and peaceful Corys. Finally, as they are shoaling species in nature, Fairy Corys will be much more active and confident if kept in groups of at least six.

In addition to small to medium Tetras, Danios, Rasboras and Livebearers, Blacktop Corys will also do well with Gouramis, Dwarf Cichlids, Loaches and other peaceful Catfish. However, it would be best if you did not house them with anything aggressive or large. If you intend to breed these Corys, you should keep them in a species-only aquarium to prevent other greedy fish from eating their eggs.

In an aquarium that mimics its natural habitat, Blacktop Corys will thrive. To achieve this, you could use a sandy substrate and add some driftwood; standard beech is also ok to use if you thoroughly dry it and strip it of its bark. Having dim lighting will also benefit your fish.

Adding dried leaves to stain the water would complete the natural feel; however, you must replace them every few weeks, so they do not rot and pollute the water. Adding some aquarium-safe peat to the filter can aid in simulating black water conditions. Although you will not find aquatic plants in this Cory's natural waters, they also enjoy a well-planted aquarium.

The Blacktop Corydoras is sensitive to deteriorating water conditions; therefore, a good maintenance schedule is essential. Like all Corys, this species may lose their barbels if you keep them in poor water, so make sure you keep the substrate clean and perform regular significant water changes.

In some individuals, Blacktop Corys have a black blotch on their dorsal fin, while other individuals do not. However, their primary colour is light olive, and they have a faint pale band on each side with dark scales almost appearing as very small patches. The Caudal fin is divided into four vertical bars, while the clavicle and operculum have blue reflections.

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Feeding

In the home aquarium, the Blacktop Corydoras will readily accept most good quality dried foods such as granules, flakes and sinking pellets. These modern food products have been developed to provide all adequate nutrition to maintain your fish's health and dietary requirements.

Providing additional foodstuffs such as live, frozen, and freeze-dried meals such as bloodworm, daphnia, and tubifex once or twice a week will provide additional benefits to your fish's health and well-being but is not a must for this fish.

It should be noted that bloodworms should only be given as an occasional treat and should not be used as the staple diet as they are difficult for fish to digest and can potentially cause blockages.

This fish is an omnivore in the wild, meaning it will consume some vegetable matter. Although most modern fish foods take this into account and include them in their products, you can still supplement your fish's diet with blanched vegetables such as spinach, broccoli, and zucchini. Ensure you do not overfeed your fish and remove any leftovers the following day.

Sexual Dimorphism

It is usually relatively easy to distinguish between male and female Blacktop Corydoras when adequately conditioned. Females will look much broader when viewed from the top, as they have a larger underbelly. In addition, males are shorter than females in length.