Description:

Corydoras Venezuela Black Catfish

The “Corydoras Venezuela Black Catfish” is a popular and peaceful freshwater fish for community aquariums, but its name can be a bit misleading. Here is a breakdown of what you need to know about this interesting fish:

Scientific Name and Origin
Scientific Name: Corydoras schultzei “Black Venezuela”

Origin: Despite the name, this specific black variant is not native to Venezuela. It is a line-bred color variant of the Gold Flash Corydoras (Corydoras schultzei) that was developed by German aquarists in the 1990s. The species itself, Corydoras schultzei, is indigenous to Peru. The confusion with the “Venezuela” name likely comes from a different, naturally occurring black form of Corydoras venezuelanus, a fish that is rarely seen in the aquarium trade.

Appearance
Colouration: The Black Venezuela Corydoras is known for its striking, almost jet-black body, with some specimens displaying dark maroon or coffee-brown tones in their fins and a lighter, often gray, underbelly.

Size: They typically grow to a maximum size of 2.5 to 3 inches (6 to 8 cm).

Barbels: Like all Corydoras, they have sensitive barbels around their mouths, which they use to sift through substrate for food.

Aquarium Care
Tank Size: A minimum tank size of 20 gallons (60 liters) is recommended to provide enough space for a school of these active bottom-dwellers. Long tanks are preferred over tall ones to maximize their floor space.

Substrate: A soft substrate like sand is highly recommended. Coarse gravel can damage their delicate barbels and underbelly, which can lead to infections.

Water Parameters:

Temperature: 72 – 82F (22 – 28C)

pH: 6.0 – 7.5 (They are adaptable to most tropical freshwater conditions as long as they are stable.)

Water Hardness: 2 – 15 dKH (adaptable)

Tank Decor: Provide plenty of hiding spots and shaded areas using driftwood, rocks, and live plants. They thrive in well-planted aquariums.

Filtration: A good filter is essential to maintain clean, oxygenated water. Moderate water flow is ideal.

Behaviour: They are a very peaceful, social, and active schooling fish. They should be kept in groups of at least six or more to reduce stress and encourage their natural behavior. They are not shy and are constantly foraging and exploring the bottom of the tank.

Diet
Omnivorous: They are omnivores and will readily accept a varied diet.

Feeding: Do not rely on them to simply eat leftover food. They are bottom-dwellers and should be target-fed with high-quality sinking pellets, granules, or wafers. They also enjoy live and frozen foods such as bloodworms, brine shrimp, and daphnia.

Tank Mates
Compatible: They are excellent community tank inhabitants and can be kept with a wide range of peaceful fish that occupy the mid-to-upper levels of the tank. Good tank mates include tetras, rasboras, dwarf cichlids, angelfish, and guppies.

Incompatible: Avoid keeping them with large or aggressive fish that may prey on them. Corydoras have spines on their pectoral fins that can injure or kill a predator if they are swallowed.