Description
Venezuelan Orange Cory (Corydoras aeneus)
Overview
Corydoras aeneus, commonly known as the Venezuelan Orange Cory or Orange Venezuelan Cory, is a vibrant colour variant of the Bronze Cory, a small, peaceful freshwater catfish from the Callichthyidae family. Native to Venezuela’s Rio Cabriales and other slow-moving, sandy-bottomed rivers and streams in South America, this fish is distinguished by its striking orange-red colouration that intensifies with age, complemented by a greenish-black oval spot on the shoulder and a copper-brown patch on the nape. Growing to 5–7 cm, this hardy, bottom-dwelling fish is prized for its scavenging Behaviour and suitability for community aquariums, making it ideal for aquarists of all levels. Note that Corydoras venezuelanus is often considered a synonym of C. aeneus, and the orange variant is primarily tank-bred.
Care Requirements
Tank Size
- Minimum: 20 gallons (80 liters) for a school of 6–8 fish; 30–40 gallons (120–150 liters) recommended for larger groups (10–15) to support their shoaling Behaviour and active foraging.
- Longer tanks with a larger footprint maximize bottom-dwelling space.
Water Parameters
- Temperature: 66°F–77°F (18°C–25°C), ideally 72°F–75°F (22°C–24°C). They tolerate cooler temperatures but may breed better in warmer conditions (75°F–80°F / 24°C–27°C).
- pH: 6.5–8.0, slightly acidic to slightly alkaline; tank-bred specimens are adaptable.
- Hardness: Soft to moderately hard (2–15 dKH).
- Ammonia/Nitrite: 0 ppm;
- Nitrate: Keep below 40 mg/L.
- Use a water conditioner to remove chlorine and chloramine.
Tank Setup
- Substrate: Fine sand or smooth gravel to protect delicate barbels; coarse substrates can cause injury or erosion. Sand mimics their natural riverbed habitat and encourages foraging.
- Plants: Live plants like Java fern, Java moss, Anubias, or Cryptocoryne provide cover and replicate their natural environment. Floating plants (e.g., water sprite) reduce light intensity.
- Decor: Driftwood, smooth rocks, and caves offer hiding spots and grazing surfaces. Indian almond leaves add tannins and promote natural Behaviour.
- Filtration: Gentle to moderate flow filter (e.g., sponge or hang-on-back) for clean, well-oxygenated water.
- Ensure surface access for air gulping via their labyrinth organ.
- Lighting: Low to moderate to emulate shaded river conditions; use a 10–12 hour day/night cycle.
Maintenance
- Water Changes: 20%–30% weekly for 20-gallon tanks; 25%–40% biweekly for larger tanks to maintain low nitrates and stable parameters.
- Testing: Monitor ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, pH, and temperature weekly with a test kit.
- Cleaning: Gently vacuum substrate during water changes to remove debris without disrupting bacteria. Clean filter media in tank water monthly.
- Feeding Control: Remove uneaten food within 2–3 minutes to prevent fouling, as Cories scavenge but don’t eliminate all waste.
- Plant/Decor Care: Trim plants and clean decor in tank water to manage algae and preserve biofilm.
Diet
- Natural Diet: Omnivorous, scavenging small invertebrates, insect larvae, plant matter, and detritus in the wild.
- Aquarium Diet:
- Staple Foods: High-quality sinking pellets, tablets, or wafers (e.g., Hikari Sinking Wafers, shrimp pellets).
- Live/Frozen Foods: Bloodworms, brine shrimp, Daphnia, or mosquito larvae as treats (1–2 times weekly) to enhance health and colouration.
- Vegetable Matter: Blanched zucchini, cucumber, spinach, or spirulina-based foods for balance.
- Feeding Frequency: Small portions 1–2 times daily, ideally at dusk when active. Ensure food reaches the substrate to avoid competition.
- Variety: Rotate foods to prevent deficiencies and encourage natural foraging. They should not rely solely on tank leftovers, as they require a deliberate, balanced diet.
Behaviour and Compatibility
Behaviour
- Schooling: Highly social, requiring groups of 6–10+ to thrive. Smaller groups cause stress or shyness. Large schools enhance their playful “dancing” Behaviour and reduce stress.
- Activity: Bottom-dwellers that sift substrate for food, occasionally darting to the surface for air. Most active at dawn/dusk, resting during the day on plants or decor.
- Temperament: Extremely peaceful, ideal for community tanks. No aggression, even during feeding.
Compatibility
- Ideal Tankmates: Small, peaceful fish like tetras (e.g., Neon Tetra, Cardinal Tetra), rasboras, Danios, White Cloud Mountain Minnows, dwarf cichlids (e.g., Electric Blue Rams), or other Corydoras species.
- Avoid: Aggressive or predatory fish (e.g., large cichlids, barbs) that may intimidate or prey on them.
- Mixing Cory Species: Can school with other Corydoras species of similar size and requirements, though single species groups may display more natural Behaviour. Mixed schools may not be as cohesive due to slight
Behavioural differences.
Sexual Dimorphism: Females are larger, rounder, and broader when viewed from above, especially when gravid; males are smaller, slimmer, with more pointed dorsal and pectoral fins.
Breeding Behaviour
Breeding Behaviour: Egg-layers depositing adhesive eggs on smooth surfaces (glass, plants, decor). Males court females in a “T-position” mating ritual.
Picture for illustrative purposes only. Either come in store to view available stock or request pictures to be sent to you.
Please Note: Due to variations within species resulting from age, region, sex, etc., the actual livestock may not look identical to the image. Approximate size range may also vary between individual specimens.
