first spawned C.sanchesi in September 98. I consider it to have been a successful spawning, in as much as I have raised two fry up to adult colour. Both fry are now over 22mm long and doing well. The details that follow are of the spawning I have been observing today, 21st November 1998.


Conditions :
Tank = 450mm x 250mm x 180mm.
Furnished with a box filter and a large piece of Java Moss.
Water Conditions = Temperature : 74deg F.
Ph 7.2, GH 9, KH 2.
Fish =1 male 35mm long, 1 female 45mm long. Wild imports. The male has slight deformation of the caudal and dorsal fins.

Spawning :
The spawning followed the typical Corydoras ‘T’ mating position. The fish took over eight hours to lay 50 plus 1.8mm diameter eggs.There was none of the usual hustle and bustle, with the male chasing and pestering the female. He would just gently glide around her offering himself sideways on, first from one side, and then the other. Eventually the female would make contact and they would lock into a clinch.

During this locked position, both fish would quiver for a few seconds. Between 3 and 7 light orange coloured eggs would be deposited into the females ventral fin pouch. The pair would then part, with the male wandering off rummaging in the gravel for food, and the female just leaning on one pectoral fin resting. She would rest for anything up to ten minutes before scurrying off looking for a suitable place to place her eggs. Most of the eggs were deposited in the Java Moss, with just one or two stuck to the tank sides and a couple on the side of the filter. Based on the first spawning the eggs will take four days to hatch, and the fry are large enough to take newly hatched brine shrimp three days after hatching. Further foods will be micro worm and powdered flake, followed by larger offerings of grindal worms and sifted Daphnia, as the fry get larger.

When the fry get to around 12mm whole tablet food will also be given. The fry swarm all over these tablets when they are offered. It’s a magic sight to see dozens of fry gathered all around and feeding so avidly. Small water changes are made every day once the fry are feeding, with particular care being taken to use water of exactly the same temperature.

If the temperature differs by more than a degree it can wipe out a complete brood. These water changes are essential if the fry are to develop to their full potential.

                                   

Fry at 7 days.

                      

Juvenile at 1 Month

Youngsters at 10 weeks old          ( Male with longer upper lobe to caudal )

 

Photo and Drawings are by the Author.
If you would like to get in touch with Ian personally about this article please E-Mail him at : [email protected]