Harald Schultz’s Corydoras (Corydoras haraldschultzi) are named after the late Brazilian exporter, Harald Schultz. He was known for some of the most popular fish in the aquarium trade such as the Blue Discus. Harald Schultz’s Corydoras are characterized by spots on the body and fins. These spots are aligned in a stripe pattern. Its often confused with Sterba’s Corydoras (Corydoras sterbai).
Originating from the rivers and streams of South America and Central America, there are over 150 different species of Corydora catfish. Harald Schultz’s Corydoras are bottom dwelling fish that will scavenge and clean your aquarium. They are easy and hardy fish to care for because they can tolerate a wide range of water parameters. Harald Schultz’s Corydoras are also peaceful and social, making them excellent fish for beginners looking to add bottom-dweller fish in their community tank.
Characteristics
Name | Harald Schultz’s Corydoras |
Scientific Name | Corydoras haraldschultzi |
Family | Callichthyidae |
Subfamily | Corydoradinae |
Origin | South America |
Size | 3 inches (7.5 cm) |
Minimum Tank Size | 20 Gallons |
Temperament | Peaceful |
Ease of Care | Easy |
Diet | Omnivores |
Breeding | Egglayer |
PH | PH 6.0-7.0 |
Water Temperature | 75-82F (24-28C) |
Water Hardness Level | Soft to Hard (50-150mg/l) |
What are Other Names for Harald Schultz’s Corydoras
Harald Schultz’s Corydoras are also called Mosaic Corys, Mosaic Corydoras or Schultz’s Cory.
How Big Do Harald Schultz’s Corydoras Get?
Harald Schultz’s Corydoras can grow to 3 inches (7.5 cm).
What to Feed Harald Schultz’s Corydoras?
Harald Schultz’s Corydoras are omnivores. Harald Schultz’s Corydoras are bottom dweller fish that will feed on uneaten food. Even though they are scavengers, you still need to feed Harald Schultz’s 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 Harald Schultz’s Corydoras?
Harald Schultz’s Corydoras will thrive in a well planted aquarium with open swim areas. Harald Schultz’s 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 Harald Schultz’s Corydoras to dig and to prevent damaging their whisker-like barbels. Provide plenty of plants and rocks/shells for cover so your Harald Schultz’s Corydoras will feel protected and safe.
What are the Best Water Parameters for Harald Schultz’s Corydoras?
Harald Schultz’s 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 Harald Schultz’s Corydoras?
Harald Schultz’s Corydoras should be kept in a tank with a water temperature of 75-82F (24-28C).
How to Set-Up Your Tank for Breeding Harald Schultz’s Corydoras?
Set up a breeding tank with 1 male and 2 female Cory catfish. Make sure the breeding tank is well-planted so Harald Schultz’s Corydoras can 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 Harald Schultz’s Corydoras can hide and feel safe during spawning. For optimal breeding conditions, it’s important to keep your Harald Schultz’s Corydoras well fed.
How to Breed Harald Schultz’s Corydoras?
Harald Schultz’s Corydoras are egg layers. Breeding occurs with the female Harald Schultz’s 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 or on the aquarium surface.
The eggs will hatch 5-6 days later. After hatching, the young Corydoras will stay on the substrate and consume their yolk sac until they become free swimming. Once they are free swimming, feed the young Corydoras with fish food specifically for fry or freshly hatched brine shrimp.
How to Get Harald Schultz’s Corydoras to 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 Harald Schultz’s Corydoras high protein, high nutrient food. Keeping them well-fed will condition your Harald Schultz’s Corydoras for spawning. 3.) Increase airflow in your aquarium. The increased airflow will simulate the strong river currents after a rain storm. This will trigger spawning. Under the right conditions, your Harald Schultz’s Corydoras will start spawning.
Will Adult Harald Schultz’s Corydoras Eat Their Eggs?
Harald Schultz’s Corydoras will eat their own eggs and fry. You will need to separate the adults from the eggs. You can do this by either moving the eggs out of the tank or moving the adults Corys out of the tank.
How to Move Corydoras Eggs Out of Tank?
The best way to move the eggs out is to a fry tank. You can also move the eggs to a breeding box. 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. 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 eggs off the aquarium glass.
Harald Schultz’s 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, 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 Harald Schultz’s Corydoras fry.
Are Harald Schultz’s Corydoras Peaceful or Aggressive Fish?
Harald Schultz’s Corydoras are not agressive. They are peaceful fish and are compatible with many popular community fish.
How Many Harald Schultz’s Corydoras in a Tank?
Harald Schultz’s 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 5 Harald Schultz’s Corydoras in your tank.
Use our How Many Fish in a 10 Gallon Tank Calculator to find out how many Harald Schultz’s 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 Harald Schultz’s Corydoras you can keep in a 20 gallon tank.
What Fish are Compatible with Harald Schultz’s Corydoras?
Harald Schultz’s 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 Harald Schultz’s Corydoras such as livebearers like guppies, swordtails and platies. Other popular community tank fish such as Zebra danios, rasboras and tetras are also compatible with Cory catfish.
Do I Still Need to Clean the Aquarium Since Harald Schultz’s Corydoras are Tank Cleaners?
Even though your Harald Schultz’s 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 Harald Schultz’s Corydoras whisker-like barbels.
Check out our article on How to Clean Your Aquarium in 15 minutes
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