Schwartz’s Corydoras (Corydoras schwartzi) are characterized by the dark markings that run from the eyes to the front of the dorsal fin. Originating from the rivers and streams of South America and Central America, there are over 150 different species of Corydora catfish. Schwartz’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. Schwartz’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 | Schwartz’s Corydoras |
| Scientific Name | Corydoras schwartzi |
| Family | Callichthyidae |
| Subfamily | Corydoradinae |
| Origin | South America |
| Size | 2.5 inches (6 cm) |
| Minimum Tank Size | 20 Gallons |
| Temperament | Peaceful |
| Ease of Care | Easy |
| Diet | Omnivores |
| Breeding | Egglayer |
| PH | PH 6.0-7.0 |
| Water Temperature | 72-79F (22-26C) |
| Water Hardness Level | Soft to Hard (50-150mg/l) |
How Big Do Schwartz’s Corydoras Get?
Schwartz’s Corydoras can grow to 2.5 inches (6 cm)..
What to Feed Schwartz’s Corydoras?
Schwartz’s Corydoras are omnivores. Schwartz’s Corydoras are bottom dweller fish that will feed on uneaten food. Even though they are scavengers, you still need to feed Schwartz’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 Schwartz’s Corydoras?
Schwartz’s Corydoras will thrive in a well planted aquarium with open swim areas. Schwartz’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 Schwartz’s Corydoras to dig and to prevent damaging their whisker-like barbels. Provide plenty of plants and rocks/shells for cover so your Schwartz’s Corydoras will feel protected and safe.
What are the Best Water Parameters for Schwartz’s Corydoras?
Schwartz’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 Schwartz’s Corydoras?
Schwartz’s Corydoras should be kept in a tank with a water temperature of 72-79F (22-26C).
How to Set-Up Your Tank for Breeding Schwartz’s Corydoras?
Set up a breeding tank with 1 male and 2 female Schwartz’s Corydoras. Make sure the breeding tank is well-planted so Schwartz’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 Schwartz’s Corydoras can hide and feel safe during spawning. For optimal breeding conditions, it’s important to keep your Schwartz’s Corydoras well fed with high protein food.
How to Breed Schwartz’s Corydoras?
Schwartz’s Corydoras are egg layers. Breeding occurs with the female Schwartz’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 Schwartz’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 Schwartz’s Corydoras high protein, high nutrient food. Keeping them well-fed will condition your Schwartz’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 Schwartz’s Corydoras will start spawning.
How to Trigger Corydoras to Spawn Infograph
Below is an infograph with things you can do to help trigger spawning.
Will Adult Schwartz’s Corydoras Eat Their Eggs?
Similar to other Corydoras, Schwartz’s Corydoras will eat their own eggs. You will need to separate the adults from the eggs by transferring the adult Corydoras out to another tank or moving the eggs to a fry tank.
You can move the eggs to a fry tank or 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.
Schwartz’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.
How to Prevent Egg Fungus Infograph
Add a few drops of methylene blue to the fry tank to prevent egg fungus. You also need to aerate the tank with an airstone to prevent fungus growth on eggs. Once the eggs hatch, remove the methylene blue because it will be harmful to the fry.
Are Schwartz’s Corydoras Peaceful or Aggressive Fish?
Schwartz’s Corydoras are social and peaceful fish.
How Many Schwartz’s Corydoras in a Tank?
Schwartz’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 Schwartz’s Corydoras in your tank.
10 Gallon and 20 Gallon Tank Calculators
Use our How Many Fish in a 10 Gallon Tank Calculator to find out how many Schwartz’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 Schwartz’s Corydoras you can keep in a 20 gallon tank.
What Fish are Compatible with Schwartz’s Corydoras?
Schwartz’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 Schwartz’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 Schwartz’s Corydoras are Tank Cleaners?
Even though your Schwartz’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 Schwartz’s Corydoras whisker-like barbels.
Check out our article on How to Clean Your Aquarium in 15 minutes
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