Origin
Cory is originally from Brazil more specifically from the floodplain of the La Plata river. It is an unpretentious fish that belongs to the family Callichthyidae. He arrived in Europe in 1893.
In their natural habitat Cory swims in shoals of dozens of individuals and it is good that these conditions are reproduced in the aquarium in which they will grow. They can be bred together with other peaceful fish such as those of the family Charachidae, Poecilidae, etc.but they should not be put in the same aquarium with large or aggressive fish.
If they are in small numbers, they are shy and easily scared, lacking the sense of security that belonging to a larger group gives them, and you will not have the opportunity to notice their comic behavior in the group.
A simple rule would be that these fish feel good when they are in groups of at least 6-7.
Food Cory silver
Cory accepts a wide range of live food, ice cream, or canned food. As live food can be used Tubifex, Artemia salina, even Bream.
It is good to supplement their diet with flakes and pellets with vegetable extracts purchased from the trade.
Appearance Cory silver
It grows to a size of 7-8 cm female and 4.5-5 cm male. Apart from the size, the male is much leaner than the female and has a sharper ventral fin.
It has a downward sloping muzzle with whiskers. This betrays his habit of draining sand. It is a lively fish, very playful, especially in young specimens.
It has a tendency to salt from the aquarium that is why it is necessary that this aquarium be covered with a glass pane. According to some authors it reaches an age of 20-24 years, and according to others it does not exceed 10 years. It is a very disease-resistant fish.
It cannot be maintained at different water levels and for this reason when it no longer swims it sinks.
Features Cory silver
These fish are preferable to put in an aquarium with a dark substrate consisting of fine gravel or coarse sand to protect their whiskers.
The aquarium should be shallow because the fish will sometimes come to the surface to take a sip of air. Plants need to be in large numbers to create places where fish can hide.
Root plants such as Vallisneria, Elodea, Cabomba can be used. The aquarium can be decorated with wood, smooth stones but in the center should be left free space for swimming.
In the wild
Characteristic of this subfamily of catfish is that it always swims in groups, often consisting of several dozen specimens. Sometimes they can be found in the company of other fish, depending on the depth and time of year.
An aquarium with a dark and soft substrate is recommended, preferably with fine gravel or sand, so that the fish do not injure their whiskers. These fish are suitable for any type of aquarium and for every aquarist. They are very active during the day.
Breeding Cory silver
A female lays about 150 eggs, which are very adherent to the surface on which they were fixed.
Another interesting behavior of this species of fish is represented by the fact that the female, when the males are insufficient or inadequate, catches them and sucks them from the milk by fertilizing its own eggs.
The larvae hatch after 6 days at a temperature of 22 degrees Celsius and after 11-12 days at a temperature of 18-20 degrees.
