Cory catfish breeding help?

A 10 gallon aquarium with a thin layer of smooth sand substrate (important for them to feed naturally) and spawning mops or fine leaved clumps of Java Fern would be good. A gentle sponge filter and heater required. Ideally, have 2 or more males per female. Getting them to mate is quite easy, just give the adults a diet of meaty frozen food (e.g. bloodworms) to condition them and when the female is fat and full of eggs do a 50% water change with slightly cooler water to induce spawning. They usually mate in the evenings, so time the water change to the late afternoon or early evening. If they don't mate the first evening, just repeat the 50% water change with slightly cooler water for a few days till they do.

When the mating occurs, a female and a few males will dance along the glass together. They will form a T-position when mating. The female will take a single egg or a small number of eggs and hide them individually, then fertilize another and hide it, etc. usually on fine-leaved plants at the bottom or on the aquarium glass. As there will be several fertilization processes, make sure they are completely done before moving the adults to a separate aquarium.

It typically takes around 3 days for the eggs to hatch. Live Microworm is a good first food, Brine Shrimp Nauplii a good second food. You will have to have these live food cultures ready for the fry in advance, of course. Make sure you keep the water quality excellent as they grow with regular water changes.

As for the type of Cory, Pandas are by far the most sensitive Corydoras species, so stay away from those. Peppered Cories or Bronze Cories are both hardy and easy to breed, either would be a good choice.

The 29 gallon would probably be best for the adults, assuming you have compatible fish in there. You can raise the fry in the 10 gallon breeding aquarium.

What size tank are you planing to use??? I have six pepper in a 20 long with guppies and the cats breed all the time. Usually the eggs get eaten but did find one baby last week about an inch long... I also have Julii cats in a 10 gallon with Endlers and they too breed all the time. So if you want to just breed them, the water has to be just right and the tank should be bare bottom. I watch mine and the females like to attach the eggs to the side of the tank and plants. Site to help......

http://www.ehow.com/how_8533550_breed-cory-cats.ht...