How Do Corydoras Catfish Breed? Mastering the Right Method Is Key
Beside the mouth of the corydoras catfish grow two small “barbels”, closely resembling a small mouse swimming in the water, which is why it is named “corydoras catfish”. So, how do corydoras catfish breed?
1. How do corydoras catfish breed?
Adult corydoras catfish are stimulated into estrus and spawning by the short-term drop in temperature caused by changing the water. The most common form of spawning in corydoras catfish is the “T-shaped breeding”; during mating, the male fish will constantly chase the female fish, and when the female fish signals agreement, the male fish will actively extend the reproductive organs on the lower part of its body, and the female fish will then take them into her mouth to suck out the semen and hold it in her mouth, after which the female fish lays her eggs in a suitable location and sprays the semen onto them.
2. How to tell male from female corydoras catfish?
1. Color: Most male and female corydoras catfish have no identifiable color difference, but what does show is generally that the male fish has more brilliant and more obvious coloration. When buying, for every dull-colored fish you pick out, choose two brightly colored fish to go with it.
2. Pectoral fins: Mature male fish always have longer, sturdier and stronger fin rays than female fish, especially the pectoral fins, with the dorsal fin slightly less so. In some populations the difference is very small and basically impossible to distinguish. In some other species it is obvious enough that the male's fins are twice those of the female.
3. Pelvic fins: If the differences in the dorsal and pectoral fins are both very small, I look at the pelvic fins. If there is a visible difference, then compared with the female, the male has longer, narrower and more pointed pelvic fins, whereas the female's pelvic fins are rounder and more fan-shaped.
4. Body: Viewed from above, the widest point of the female's body is a little just in front of the pelvic fins. The widest part of the male's body is at the pectoral fins or just a little behind them. Viewed from the side, the female's body is rounder, while the male is leaner and more streamlined.