Corydoras breeding basics

Breeding style

Egg scattering with adhesive eggs

Parent conditioning

Varied food and stable, clean water

Egg risk

Adults and tankmates may eat eggs

First foods

Depend on fry size and development

Difficulty

Intermediate

Condition a healthy group

Use mature, well-fed adults in good body condition. A group provides natural choice and often improves the chance of both sexes being present. Maintain excellent water and avoid forcing spawning from weak fish.

Use stable husbandry before triggers

Water changes, cooler replacement water and changes in flow can coincide with spawning in many Corydoras, but the species and group matter. Do not create dangerous temperature shocks. A trigger only works when adults are mature and conditioned.

Protect and manage eggs

Eggs may be placed on glass, plants or equipment. Move eggs carefully to a separate, aerated container or remove adults, depending on the system. Inspect daily and remove clearly fungused eggs without damaging healthy ones.

Feed fry according to development

Newly hatched fry use yolk reserves before active feeding. Once free-swimming, offer foods small enough to be eaten and keep the bottom clean without creating strong suction. Increase food size and variety as growth allows.

What to record

Record adult group, conditioning foods, water-change details, spawning time, egg count, hatch rate, first feeding, daily losses and growth. Repeated records reveal whether the limiting stage is spawning, egg survival or fry care.