How to Care for Leopard Corydoras Catfish

Leopard corydoras catfish are small fish, growing only to between 2 1/2 and 3 inches long. They have a distinct brown or gold coloring, overlaid by dark brown or black spots or stripes, which gives them their name. These fish are very peaceful, so they work well in many freshwater aquariums. These fascinating fish are easy to keep, even for the beginner aquarium enthusiast. However, some leopard catfish can be sensitive to changes in the aquarium water, so knowing how to care for them is essential.

Things You'll Need

  • Aquarium, at least 10 to 30 gallons in size
  • Fine aquarium substrate
  • Aquarium plants and other decorations
  • Filtration system
  • Thermometer
  • Water testing kit
  • Various fish foods
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Instructions

    • 1

      Set up an aquarium, between 10 and 15 gallons in size per leopard corydoras catfish. Although they can be kept alone, this catfish species prefers to be kept in small groups of three or more fish, so an even larger aquarium may be necessary for full grown fish. Filter any water you use before filling the aquarium, and allow the aquarium to sit or run with the filter on for several days before adding any fish.

    • 2

      Fill the bottom of the aquarium with a fine substrate, such as sand. Add plants, either real or fake, as well as aquarium decorations, to the aquarium. These will not only look nice, but will mimic the natural habitat of the leopard catfish and provide hiding places.

    • 3

      Install a water filtration system, designed for whatever size aquarium you have. This will provide a slight current and will help to maintain the cleanliness of the aquarium.

    • 4

      Install a thermometer, and keep the temperature of the water between 68 and 79 degrees Fahrenheit. Sudden spikes or drops in water temperature, as well as prolonged periods of too-warm or too-cold water, can cause health problems for the catfish.

    • 5

      Test the pH level of the aquarium water using a water testing kit. Leopard corydoras catfish prefer aquarium water with a pH level between 6.0 and 7.5, with a level in the middle of that range being ideal. You can use water additives to adjust this level if you need to.

    • 6

      Feed the leopard corydoras with a mix of packaged flake or pellet fish foods, small frozen or dried crustaceans, algae wafers and small pieces of vegetable matter. Like most catfish, leopard corydoras are scavengers, and not picky about what they eat. Although they are sometimes considered cleaner fish, they cannot subsist on algae alone, and their diet will need to be supplemented.

    • 7

      Keep the catfish̵7;s aquarium clean by performing partial water changes. This where some of the dirty aquarium water is replaced with freshwater. Replacing about 25 percent of the aquarium water about once a week should help to maintain the water quality.