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I am now convinced that my cories are the culprits that are spawning and scattering about the 29 the loads of eggs that I am constantly seeing. This was unintentional let me assure you but I am very pleased that my bottom feeders are comfortable enough to engage in such activity. I am new to all of this and still unsure of what the eggs should look like. These are small white/clear globs that are in small groups on plants, decorations, gravel, the aquarium glass, etc. I think they are fertile because in a few I can see the embryo curled slightly, or am I just imagining? How long until they hatch? What do I do with the baby cories? Should I remove the eggs? How can I tell if they are fungused/unfertile? In other words educate me on the finer points of corydoras brooding. Thanx in advance.
~Zach
P.S.- Does internal fertilization occur in cory cats or do the males follow the females to fertilize after ejection from the female's body? The mother is an common albino cory but the one that follows her is a bronze--- I think. Would this make a difference?

Last edited by zachjc_14 at 19-Jul-2005 20:51

Your cories are both the same species- Corydoras aeneus. They're the most common cory cat, and also the easiest to spawn and breed. You're right though, they do need to be happy to start spawning.
The eggs should be almost clear in color soon after spawning, but will later darken up if they're fertile. I think the unfertilized eggs will turn milky white; Corydoras eggs vary by species.

If you've got a community fish tank there, it would be best to remove the eggs so they don't get eaten. A seperate holding tank with the same water values as the main tank would be great; or you could just use a breeder's net in the twenty-nine gallon. The eggs are resistant to being squished, but they can still fungus. Methylene Blue is often recommended to help prevent fish eggs from fungusing.

The eggs are fertilized externally, but it isn't clear when. Some sources say that the male just releases sperm near the eggs; others say that the female mouths it while in the "T" position, places it in the spot of her choosing, then sticks the eggs on top. I believe the second explanation.

Are those the only two cories in your tank? If you didn't witness the spawning and have multiple males, then it would be impossible to tell which one(s) spawned with your albino. How many of each color variety do you have?

---

And when he gets to Heaven, to Saint Peter he will tell: "One more Marine reporting, Sir! I've served my time in Hell."

congratulations on the spawning...I haven't actually ever seen the eggs in my tank, but have seen the chase and "T" formation of the metaes several times:%)it always sends me into hysterics to watch them go about the tank at warp speeds:%)But, I have seen the fry, and have seen plenty of them...I just leave my eggs (that I haven't ever seen) and fry in the community tankBut, I someday do want to let the metaes have a tank of there ownjust not sure where

Anyways congratulationsCan't wait to hear the squealing when you see your first fry They are so tiny...The picture I'm attaching is of one that is maybe a week old...heidi






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"I've got a great ambition to die of exhaustion rather than boredom." Thomas Carlyle

Congratulations for the spawning & sirbooks explained everything you need for spawning Corydoras.



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http://www.flickr.com/photos/corydoras/
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Thanks for all the input, but unfortunately most of the eggs got eaten during the night. I will be ready for the next time though and for the few remaining eggs that were well hidden. As far as stocking I have a school of three albinos and two bronze cories (that school together) as well as other types that I believe to be unrelated to this spawning.

You might still be surprised...though the corries can be little pigletsbut, if they spawned once they will spawn againAs I said in my post aboveEven kept in the tank with everyone else, (and I didn't have java moss) so you really never know, just keep an eye out for them, and you might just find a coupleheidi


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"I've got a great ambition to die of exhaustion rather than boredom." Thomas Carlyle