How to Hatch Cory Eggs

Corydoras are easy fish to keep. These small catfish grow to 2 inches in length and prefer cooler water. Adult female cory catfish are typically slightly larger and wider than males. These catfish breed best when a number are housed together. Corydoras lay their eggs on the aquarium glass and the stems of various filters. Either the adult fish or the eggs need to be removed to prevent predation on the newly hatched fry. Eggs are best removed by using a razor blade to carefully slice them from the laying site.

Things You'll Need

  • 5-gallon aquarium
  • Aquarium heater
  • Box filter
  • 2-foot, 0.75-inch diameter plastic air tubing
  • Vibrator pump
  • 5-gallon bucket
  • Chlorine remover
  • Java moss
  • Razor blade
  • Commercial fry diet
  • Micro worms
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Instructions

    • 1

      Place a 5-gallon aquarium on a solid surface in a room where there is limited activity.

    • 2

      Set the thermostat at the top of an aquarium heater to 75 degrees Fahrenheit. Place the heater into the aquarium and push it firmly against the glass of the aquarium, using the adhesive suction cups attached to the heater tube.

    • 3

      Remove the lid of a corner box filter, and fill the box compartment with filter floss. Replace the lid, and position the filter in a back corner of the aquarium.

    • 4

      Attach a 2-foot piece of 0.75-inch diameter plastic tube to the intake stem of the box filter.

    • 5

      Attach the opposite end of the 0.75-inch tube, to the exhaust nozzle of a vibrator pump. Push the pump plug into a wall power source. Do not turn on yet.

    • 6

      Fill the 5-gallon aquarium halfway with water from the main tank.

    • 7

      Fill a 5-gallon bucket halfway with tap water. Add chlorine remover to the bucket, and stir vigorously with a plastic stick. Wait a few minutes for the chlorine remover to neutralize the chlorine in the tap water, and then add this water to the 5-gallon aquarium.

    • 8

      Plug the heater and the vibrator pump into a wall power source and turn on.

    • 9

      Leave the water to circulate and warm for 24 hours.

    • 10

      Add a handful of Java moss to the 5-gallon aquarium.

    • 11

      Leave the eggs for a day after they have been laid.

    • 12

      Use a razor blade to carefully slice the eggs from either the aquarium glass or from the filter stems in the main aquarium. The Corydoras may also lay their eggs on the leaves of aquatic plants.

    • 13

      Remove the eggs to the 5-gallon aquarium, as the adult Corydoras or other fish species in their aquarium, will predate on either the eggs or on the newly hatched Corydoras fry.

    • 14

      The fry will hatch in three to five days.

    • 15

      Feed the fry a commercial fry diet and micro worms.