What Do Spotted Cory Eat?

Spotted cory are a non-aggressive species of fish, making them a good fit into any community tank, per Seriously Fish's overview of the small member of the catfish family. An ideal addition to home tanks, they have a tendency to be active in the evenings, when people can watch their antics. One of the biggest benefits to owning this species, however, is its simple dietary needs.

  1. Food Tank Depth

    • Spotted cory are almost exclusively benthic, or bottom dwelling, which makes choosing the right foods paramount. Depending on tank population, fast-sinking flakes or pellets will be best suited for spotted cory. Seriously Fish adds that some owners use the bottom-feeding species as a cleaner for excess foods that drop from feeding others in the tank, but this can be harmful to the fish.

    Fish Flake Selection

    • The staple food for a spotted cory is a general-purpose flake. All-About-Tropical-Fish.com explains that finding the correct fish food can seem overwhelming at first because of the large number of options available, but flake food specifically labeled for the spotted cory does exist. Many pet stores carry species-specific foods, but in lieu of this type of flake, one designed for omnivore fish will suffice.

    Dietary Variety

    • Aquarium owners can add variety to the spotted cory's diet with live and frozen foods. AquariumPros.com strongly recommends keeping at least six different types of fish food and using a different one at each feeding. Aqua-Fish.net lists some of its favorites as bloodworms and daphnia.

    Fish Food Portions

    • Food given in an appropriate portion will prevent overfeeding. AquariumPros.com cautions against using a "pinch," as it's usually more food than the fish need. The proper amount is as much as the fish can consume within a few minutes of feeding. Owners can determine this amount by using a small number of flakes and waiting for the fish to eat them before adding more. After a few such feedings, the fish will lose interest in the food, indicating that they're full. When using frozen food, owners can thaw and divide the cubes to provide the appropriate amount for the population. AquaticCommunity.com suggests keeping a portion thawed in the refrigerator.