The Julii Corydoras, scientific name Corydoras julii additionally goes by the common name of Julii Cory and generally the Leopard Cory. They are a small species that will get as much as 2 inches when absolutely grown.
They wish to be saved in a school of 6 or more and can do great in a community kind arrange with different peaceable species.
Julii Corydoras profile
Indigenous to the decrease Amazon area, primarily the Parnaíba River of Brazil, Corydoras julii is present in flooded forest areas in addition to in creeks and small tributaries. It is commonly confused with Corydoras trilineatus, a species that’s discovered within the higher Amazon.
The area the julii comes from shouldn’t be closely fished commercially, so most outlets don’t carry true julii corys. Although it’s fairly widespread to see Corydoras trilineatus incorrectly labeled as Corydoras julii, the true julii cory will solely often be seen on the market in fish outlets by passion breeding.
Distribution and Background
The Julii Cory Corydoras julii was described by Steindachner in 1906. They are present in South America throughout the Lower Amazon River and the coastal rivers in northeastern Brazil.
They are present in Peru within the Rio Ampiyacu, Rio Ucayali, and the Yarina Cocha. Other widespread names they’re identified by embrace Leopard Catfish, Leopard Corydoras, and Peppered cory.
In their natural habitat faculties of Julii Cories dwell in flooded forest areas in addition to smaller-sized streams and small tributaries. Breeding takes place in swamps, ponds, or streams. They are demersal and feed on worms, crustaceans, various insects, and plant matter.
Overview
The Julii Cory Corydoras julii is a ravishing fish with an attention-grabbing coloration pattern. It has a creamy-white body lined with small black spots and daring central horizontal stripes.
There can also be a black blotch on the top of its dorsal fin and 6 noticed bands on its tail. Inspired by its appears it is usually known as the Leopard Catfish or Leopard Corydoras.
Julii Corydoras Appearance
The Julii Cory is typically confused with a few its shut kinfolk which is very related in look. These embrace the Three Stripe Corydoras Corydoras trilineatus (which can also be known as the False Julii), the Leopard Cory Corydoras leopardus, and infrequently the Spotfin Corydoras Corydoras punctatus. But with a detailed inspection, they’re every readily distinguished.
All three have spots and a darkish blotch on the dorsal fin. It’s the spots on the top of the Julii and Leopard Cories that distinguish them from the Three Stripe, who normally has a reticulated pattern (squiggly traces) on its head quite than spots.
The Spotfin Cory is closely noticed throughout however it lacks distinctive horizontal traces as seen on the others.
Julii Corydoras Description
The Julii Cory is a really lively catfish however it would not get very massive. Growing as much as solely 2.Zero inches (5.2 cm) in size makes it very appropriate for smaller aquariums. A minimal 10-gallon tank is recommended.
Despite being fairly lively, these are very peaceable fish that benefit from the company of their very own sort in addition to different fish. To be glad they need to be in teams of at the very least Four or more fish.
The Julii Cory is a smaller member of the Corydoras family, solely rising to about 2 inches. (5.2 cm) in size. They are ravishing fish with an apparently patterned body.
The body is a cream white or grey coloration with small, black spots throughout and a stripe operating horizontally from the back of their gills to the bottom of the tail. There is a black blotch on the top of its dorsal fin and 6 noticed bands on the tail. They have a lifespan of 5 or more years.
This fish belongs to the catfish family Callichthyidae, and like all catfish they’re scaleless. Corydoras are often called armored catfish as a result of they’ve two rows of bony plates, known as scutes, alongside the size of the body.
Like all catfish, in addition, they have pairs of barbels across the mouth and robust, inflexible spines on their dorsal and pectoral fins.
Cories have additionally been identified to supply sounds of warning when distressed and when courting. They make sounds by rubbing the spines of their pectoral fins into the grooves of their shoulder plates.
Size of fish – inches: 2.Zero inches (5.08 cm) – Females are usually bigger than males.
Lifespan: 5 years – They can dwell for five years or longer with optimum situations.
Like all of the Cory catfish, they’re fairly hardy, which makes them a great choice for first-time fish keepers. They additionally assist hold the underside of the aquarium clear by consuming up leftover meals.
Their lovely look and vigorous character, together with a candy disposition make them a favorite amongst aquarists. A school of those very lively little fish will make the underside of your tank come to life.
Colors and Markings
Many house owners who suppose they’ve taken house the julii cory, Corydoras julii, have by accident bought Corydoras trilineatus. Julii corys are smaller and more stout in construct, with a shorter head and rounded snout.
They even have small, remoted spots, whereas Corydoras trilineatus has spots that have a tendency to attach right into a reticulated pattern; that is notably noticeable on the top. This species reaches an adult size of a bit over 2 inches.
Like different cory species, the body is silvery grey. A darkish zigzag stripe runs alongside the lateral line from the gills to the tail. Above and under this darkish line is a bit that’s not noticed, past that are many small darkish spots of various sizes.
On the body, a few of these spots connect with type quick traces, however, on the top, the spots are distinctly separate, a characteristic that differentiates this species from related corys.
The dorsal fin is transparent with a big black blotch on the higher fin that doesn’t lengthen down into the body. The caudal fin has vertical rows of darkish brown spots that give the look of striping.
The anal, adipose, pectoral, and ventral fins even have these spots, however, they’re much paler in coloration than on the caudal fin. Instead of scales, this species has overlapping laborious plates, often called scutes; therefore it’s known as an armored catfish.
Foods and Feeding
Leopard Corydoras are omnivores that feed on worms, crustaceans, bugs, and plant matter within the wild. In the aquarium, they’re straightforward to feed. They will usually eat all types of dwell, recent, and flake meals.
To hold very good stability give them a high high-quality sinking pellet or flake meals on a regular basis. Also, supply occasional algae wafers. Feed frozen and dwell meals, equivalent to brine shrimp, blood worms, or daphnia as a deal with.
Diet Type: Omnivore
Flake Food: Yes
Tablet / Pellet: Yes – Although this fish will scour the underside for leftover meals, the aquarist ought to guarantee a whole diet by providing a sinking pill or pellet.
Live meals (fishes, shrimps, worms): Some of Diet
Vegetable Food: Some of Diet
Meaty Food: Some of Diet
Feeding Frequency: Daily – Feed as a lot as they are going to eat in about 5 minutes. They may be fed twice a day, providing as a lot as they are going to devour in about three minutes every.
Fish Keeping Difficulty
The Julii Cory shouldn’t be a tough fish to take care of and makes a superb addition to any peaceable community aquarium. They are fairly sturdy and great for learners.
They are peaceable and gregarious, so must be saved in a school of four or more people. Additionally, they won’t thrive with aggressive fish.
A filtration system is required that maintains clear water and ensures all the tank is extremely oxygenated. Water motion on the floor is fascinating for preserving the oxygen level high.
They additionally require a very good provision of meals on the underside of the tank. if the tank is new and never but established, you’ll be able to add sinking algae wafers to the tank for meals.
These fish do a great job preserving the underside cleaned of meals and particles. Also, although they’ll face up to quite a lot of water situations this fish shouldn’t be very tolerant of heat temperatures over 85 ° F.
Social Behaviors
Julii Cories are usually a very good community fish. They are usually not aggressive and are good with different small peaceable fish. They swim in faculties and maybe saved with virtually each different community kind fish.
Small peaceable community fish equivalent to dwell bearers, small members of the Tetra family, Danios, Rasboras, and Dwarf Cichlids all make good tank mates.
They won’t fare nicely with aggressive fish. They are gregarious and benefit from the company of their personal sort. They ought to to be saved in faculties of at the very least 4-6 people.
Venomous: No – Corydoras species have spines that may trigger a stinging sensation in the event that they penetrate the pores and skin.
Temperament: Peaceful –
Compatible with:
Same species – conspecifics: Yes – This gregarious fish appreciates the company of its personal sort, and must be saved in a bunch of at the very least Four or more people.
Peaceful fish: Safe
Semi-Aggressive: Monitor
Aggressive: Threat
Large Aggressive, Predatory: Threat
Slow Swimmers & Eaters: Safe – Corydoras feed on the backside of the aquarium, so are usually not in competitors with different feeders.
Shrimps, Crabs, Snails: Maybe aggressive – The natural diet of Corydoras are worms, crustaceans, and bugs.
Plants: Safe – May eat some vegetation, however algae quite than vegetation are more palatable to them.
Tankmates
As with many members of the genus, Corydoras, these species have to be saved in a school of at the very least 4 or more. They get alongside nicely with different small catfish in addition to small peaceable fish.
Possible tankmates embrace small members of the tetra family, danios, rasboras, dwarf cichlids, in addition to any small community fish. Avoid any massive or aggressive fish.
Aquarium Care
Regular water modifications with siphoning of the gravel are essential to take away their waste and hold the tank clear. A weekly or bi-weekly water change of 10% to 20% is advisable.
Using a vacuum hose to siphon the substrate is an effective option to hold the gravel freed from decomposing animal and plant matter.
Cory catfish spend most of their time on the underside so the vacuum siphon is essential. Their barbels are liable to an infection from a poorly saved substrate.
Water Changes: Weekly – Weekly or bi-weekly water changes of 10% to 20% are advisable.
Aquarium Setup
The Julii Cory is a lively little fish that does greatest in a bunch of Four or more. A minimal aquarium of 10 gallons is recommended. The aquarium must be embellished, and organized with their natural habitat in thoughts.
These little fish get pleasure from nicely planted tanks with twisted roots to cover in. Caves and drift wooden make great hiding spots as nicely.
Provide these fish with a filtration system that retains the water nicely oxygenated both with aeration or loads of floor water motion.
These fish do a great job preserving the underside cleaned of meals and particles, making them little dwelling vacuums. Normal lighting works nicely however higher light ranges are superb if loads of shade are supplied.
Because these fish have delicate barbels it’s preferable to make use of sand or superb gravel to maintain their barbels in a good situation. Larger gravel with sharp edges may very well lower the barbels down till they’re fully gone.
The barbels are additionally liable to an infection from a poorly saved substrate. An under gravel filter that’s often vacuumed works nicely for this fish to maintain the substrate clear and all the tank oxygenated.
Minimum Tank Size: 10 gal (38 L)
Substrate Type: Sand/Gravel Mix – Sand or superb gravel is the greatest to guard their barbels against injury.
Lighting Needs: Moderate – regular lighting
Temperature: 73.Zero to 79.0° F (22.Eight to 26.1° C)
Range ph: 6.0-7.8
Hardness Range: 2 – 25 dGH
Brackish: No
Water Movement: Moderate
Water Region: Bottom – They will largely swim on the backside of the aquarium.
Be cautious when netting them as a result of once they really feel threatened they lengthen their sharp spined fins outward and lock them in a rigid place. Although the spines are small, similar to this catfish, they’re fairly sharp and may pierce your pores and skin.
Breeding the Julii Corydoras
Breeding of the julii cory is typical of different cory species. A breeding tank is advisable, because the parents will, fortunately, devour their eggs and fry, so it’s necessary to separate the parents from the eggs after spawning has taken place.
If spawning takes place in a breeding tank, the adults may be moved back to the main tank and the eggs left within the breeder tank to hatch and develop.
Use very superb easy gravel or sand for substrate. A naked backside can also be appropriate. Water must be comfortable, with a barely acidic to neutral pH (6.5 to 7.0), and at a temperature of roughly 75 degrees F (24 degrees C).
Filtration is essential however must be mild sufficient to not suck small fry into the filter. A sponge filter works nicely for the sort of grow-out setup. Provide a spawning mop or fine-leaved vegetation equivalent to java moss.
Be conscious that this species will readily crossbreed with Corydoras trilineatus, which can or might not be fascinating. Some really feel crossing the species is degrading the bloodlines, whereas others discover the cross-species an attention-grabbing choice.
When making an attempt to breed this species, use teams wherein there are more males than females. A ratio of at the very least two to 4 males for every feminine is advisable.
Condition the breeder teams with dwell meals, equivalent to bloodworms or daphnia. Use frozen or freeze-dried counterparts if dwell meals are usually not obtainable.
When the stomach of the feminine is noticeably swollen with eggs, carry out a 50 % water change with very comfortable water that’s a number of degrees cooler than the water already within the tank. This will assist set off spawning.
If spawning doesn’t happen, proceed with each day’s massive water modifications as beforehand described. Increasing aeration can even assist in triggering spawning.
Spawning begins with elevated exercise, after which the males start actively pursuing the females. Once a feminine accepts a male, they are going to assume a “T-position,” wherein the feminine is positioned along with her head in opposition to the mid-portion of the male.
The male will clasp the barbels of the feminine along with his pectoral fins, whereas the feminine varieties a basket along with her pelvic fins.
She will deposit as much as 4 eggs into this basket. It is believed that sperm from the male passes by the gills of the feminine and is directed to the eggs being fertilized.
Once the eggs are fertilized, the feminine will discover a fascinating spot and fasten the adhesive egg. This process will proceed till 100 to 150 eggs have been laid.
Adult julii corys don’t guard or take care of the eggs as soon as they’ve been laid. If left within the spawning tank, parents will devour the eggs. To efficiently hatch the eggs and lift the fry, it’s necessary to separate the eggs from any adult fish.
Another problem with the eggs is a fungal infection. Add just a few drops of methylene blue to the water to scale back the possibilities of dropping eggs to fungus.
Watch them and take away any eggs that develop fungus, or the fungus will unfold and kill the entire eggs. Cherry shrimp could also be saved within the tank, as they are going to devour rotten eggs whereas leaving wholesome eggs alone.
Eggs will hatch in three to 5 days and must be fed freshly hatched brine shrimp, micro-worms, or rotifers. Very superb fry meals can also be an option, however, as with every meal, it is very important to take away any uneaten parts promptly. Any deterioration in water chemistry will seemingly be deadly to younger fry.
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Health
Julii Cories are very hardy and illness shouldn’t be normally an issue in a nicely maintained aquarium. There is not any assure that you just will not cope with health issues or illness, however, cory catfish are very resilient.
High nitrate ranges could cause Julii Cory catfish to develop contaminated barbels; this makes it tough for them to navigate and eat usually. Maintain nitrate ranges under 20 ppm by regular water modifications.
Because they’re scaleless fish, catfish may be handled with pimafix or melafix however shouldn’t be handled with potassium permanganate or copper primarily based drugs.
Malachite green or formalin can be utilized at one half to at least one fourth the advisable dosage. All drugs must be used with a warning.
The greatest option to proactively stop illness is to offer your fish the correct surroundings and provides them a nicely balanced diet.
The nearer to their natural habitat the much less stress the fish can have, making them more healthy and glad. A pressured fish will is more prone to purchase illness.
Anything you add to your tank can deliver illness with it. Not solely different fish however vegetation, substrate, and decorations can harbor bacteria.
Take great care and ensure to correctly clear or quarantine something that you just add to a longtime tank in order to not add new ailments to the tank.
Learn more about angler-fish-reproduction.