- Corydoras julii
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Corydoras julii Scientific classification Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Actinopterygii Order: Siluriformes Family: Callichthyidae Subfamily: Corydoradinae Genus: Corydoras Species: C. julii Binomial name Corydoras julii
Steindachner, 1906Corydoras julii (also known as the Julii Cory or Leopard Catfish) is a member of the Corydoras family. Corys are small, bottom dwelling scavenger catfish that are loved by aquarium keepers for their looks, personalities, and bottom cleaning skills.
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Keeping
Julii Corys are peaceful fish and will do well in a community aquarium with other community fish. They need to be in groups or "shoals" of four or more of the same species as they like to swim in schools and stay together mostly all the time. A small shoal should be kept in at least a 20 gallon tank.
Physical Appearance
Julii Corys are one of the most commonly sold corys because of their beautifully patterned bodies. Their flesh is a whitish gray almost transparent color with small, striking black striped and spots all over. You can tell a Julii Cory apart from other striped corys because of the large horizontal stripe that runs through along their side, the dark black spot on their top fin. They grow to about 2.5 inches, making them a smaller member of the cory family.
Feeding
Julii Corys are scavengers and omnivores that will eat food that sinks to the bottom of the tank. They should be given high quality sinking pellets to ensure proper nutrition but will also eat flake food that falls to the bottom. Blood worms and brine shrimp should be given as a treat.
Breeding
Sexing corys is not very difficult provided they are in well fed and in good condition. Females are quite a bit rounder than males. Usually Cory catfish are bred in groups of 2 males to 1 female. They can also be bred in a large group.
The breeding tank should be well planted with live or fake plants. Put fine gravel or sand on the bottom. To bring them into breeding mode imitate their natural water chemistry and do water changes to gradually change the water temperature.
Feed them well with nutritious foods such as blood, tubifix worms and quality catfish wafers. Syphon out uneaten food when doing water changes to keep the water pristine.
Corys are egg laying fish and will lay white, sticky eggs on all surfaces in the aquarium, often on the glass itself. Females lay many, many eggs at a time though the catfish will eat most of the eggs unless removed. Move eggs to another tank for hatching and raising.
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