Albino Corydoras

How to Take Care of Albino Corydoras (Beginner’s Guide and Infograph)

Albino Corydoras (Corydoras aeneus) are one of the most widely available Corydoras in the aquarium trade. Albino Corydoras is a variation of the Bronze Corydoras (Corydoras aeneus). Albino Corydoras are characterized by their albino coloring and are one of the easiest Corydoras to breed.

Originating from the rivers and streams of South America and Central America, there are over 150 different species of Corydora catfish. Albino Corydoras are bottom dwelling fish. They will scavenge for uneaten food in the aquarium. They are hardy fish, perfect for beginners because they can tolerate a wide range of water parameters. Albino Corydoras are also peaceful and social, making them excellent fish for beginners looking to add bottom-dweller fish in their community tank. They tend to be nocturnal so don’t be surprised if they go into hiding during the day since they have been actively cleaning your tank all night.

Characteristics

Albino Corydoras Infograph
NameAlbino Corydoras
Scientific NameCorydoras aeneus
FamilyCallichthyidae
SubfamilyCorydoradinae
OriginSouth America
Size2.75 inches (7cm)
Minimum Tank Size10 Gallons
TemperamentPeaceful
Ease of CareEasy
DietOmnivores
BreedingEgglayer
PHPH 6.0-7.0
Water Temperature64-79F(18-26C).
Water Hardness LevelSoft to Hard (50-150mg/l)

What are Other Names for Albino Corydoras

Albino Corydoras are also called Albino Cory Cats and Albino Catfish.

How Big Do Albino Corydoras Get?

Albino Corydoras can grow to 2.75 inches (7cm).

What to Feed Albino Corydoras?

Albino Corydoras are omnivores. Albino Corydoras are bottom dweller fish that will feed on uneaten food. Even though they are scavengers, you still need to feed Albino Corydoras their own food. It’s not enough to rely on food collected from scavenging as their only food source. You should supplement their diet with sinking pellets that are formulated for bottom-dwelling fish. 

How to Set Up an Aquarium for Albino Corydoras?

Albino Corydoras will thrive in a well planted aquarium with open swim areas. Albino Corydoras spend their day digging and will use their mouth to dig the substrate. Use fine substrate like sand instead of gravel in your aquarium to make it easier for Albino Corydoras to dig and to prevent damaging their whisker-like barbels.

What are the Best Water Parameters for Albino Corydoras?

Albino Corydoras are tolerant of a wide range of water parameters but should not be in excessively acidic water conditions.

What is the Ideal Water Temperature for Albino Corydoras?

Albino Corydoras should be kept in a tank with a water temperature of 64-79F(18-26C).

How to Set-Up Your Tank for Breeding Albino Corydoras?

Set up a breeding tank with 1 male and 2 female Cory catfish. Make sure the breeding tank is well-planted so Albino Corydorascan lay their eggs on the plant leaves (Java Moss). You can also use spawning mops. Set up the breeding tank with fine substrate like sand or keep the tank bare without any substrate. Add one or two pots or big shells, so your Albino Corydoras can hide and feel safe during spawning. For optimal breeding conditions, it’s important to keep your Albino Corydoras well fed. 

How to Breed Albino Corydoras?

Albino Corydoras are one of the easiest Corydoras to breed. Compared to other Corydoras, Albino Corydoras are prolific breeders. 

Albino Corydoras are egg layers. Breeding occurs with the female Albino Corydoras swallowing male sperm and then releasing the sperm from her gut to her cupped pelvic fins along with some eggs. She will lay these eggs in small batches on plant leaves, on aquarium glass and rocks.

The eggs of Albino Corydoras will hatch 5-6 days later. After hatching, the fry will stay near the substrate consuming their yolk sac until they become free swimming. Once the fry are free swimming, fish food specifically for fry or baby brine shrimp.

How to Get Albino Corydoras to Start Spawning?

Under the right conditions, your Albino Corydoras will start spawning. Here are 3 things you can do to trigger spawning 1.) Do a partial cold water change. Add colder water into the tank. This will bring aquarium water temperature down a few degrees which will simulate the water temperature after a heavy rainstorm. 2.) Feed your Albino Corydoras high protein, high nutrient food. Keeping them well-fed will condition your Albino Corydoras for spawning. 3.) Increase airflow in your aquarium. The increased airflow will simulate the strong river currents after a rainstorm. This will trigger spawning.

How to Breed Corydoras

Will Adult Albino Corydoras Eat Their Eggs?

Albino Corydoras will eat their own eggs. You will need to separate the adults from the eggs. The best way to do this is to move the eggs to a fry tank. You can also move the eggs to a breeding box.

Can I use my Fingers to Pickup the Eggs of Albino Corydoras?

Yes, you can use your fingers to gently pickup the eggs of Albino Corydoras. If the eggs are on the aquarium glass, gently scrape off the eggs with your finger and transfer them to the fry tank. You can also use a credit card to scrape the eggs off the aquarium glass.

If the eggs are on plant leaves, remove the entire plant and transfer it to the fry tank. If you are using a breeding box, you can gently remove the eggs one by one with your fingers and transfer them to the breeding box.

Albino Corydoras will lay eggs in many different places in the aquarium so you should check the entire aquarium for eggs- behind filters, on plant leaves, aquarium glass, shells, etc.

Make sure the water parameters and water temperature of the fry tank are similar to the breeding tank. Add a few drops of methylene blue to the fry tank to prevent egg fungus. Once the eggs hatch, do a water change to remove the methylene blue because it will be harmful to the fry. Use a sponge filter in the fry tank. Sponge filters are gentler and will not suck up the Albino Corydoras fry. 

How to Prevent Fungus on Corydoras Eggs?

It’s common for Corydoras eggs to develop fungus. You will know there is fungus when the eggs turn white and fuzzy. Fungus can be prevented by adding a few drops of methylene blue to the water and by aerating the water. Maintain good water flow by using an airstone. If you see eggs with fungus, you need to immediately remove these eggs so it will not infect adjacent eggs.

Corydoras Eggs Fungus

Are Albino Corydoras Peaceful or Aggressive Fish?

Albino Corydoras are hardy, peaceful fish. Don’t be surprised if you don’t see a lot of activity during the day since they tend to be nocturnal. 

How Many Albino Corydoras in a Tank?

Albino Corydoras are not solitary fish. They are social fish that should be kept in groups of the same species. If space permits and without overstocking your tank, keep at least 3-5 Albino Corydoras in your tank. 

Use our How Many Fish in a 10 Gallon Tank Calculator to find out how many Albino Corydoras you can keep in a 10 gallon tank. For 20 gallon tanks, use our How Many Fish in a 20 Gallon Tank Calculator to find out how many Albino Corydoras you can keep in a 20 gallon tank.

What Fish are Compatible with Albino Corydoras?

Albino Corydoras are compatible with most peaceful topwater and midwater fish that share similar water parameter requirements. There are a lot of fish that are compatible with Albino Corydoras such as livebearers like guppies, swordtails and platies. Topwater fish like hatchetfish. Midwater fish like Zebra danios, Rasboras and Tetras (Neon tetras, Cardinal Tetras) are also compatible with Cory catfish. 

Do I Still Need to Clean the Aquarium Since Albino Corydoras are Tank Cleaners?

Even though your Albino Corydoras are tank cleaners, you still need to clean the aquarium. Perform partial water changes at least once every 3 weeks. This will keep nitrate levels low and help maintain optimal water quality. Use a gravel cleaner to remove dirt buildup on the substrate during partial water changes. Dirt buildup on the aquarium substrate can damage your Albino Corydoras whisker-like barbels.