{"product_id":"black-venezuelan-corydoras-osteogaster-aeneus-black-venezuela","title":"Black Venezuelan Corydoras | Osteogaster aeneus 'Black Venezuela'","description":"\u003ch2\u003eDescription\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Black Venezuela Corydoras is a striking dark-bodied form of the ever-popular bronze cory, swapping the usual coppery sheen for a smoky charcoal-to-black colouration. Just as hardy, peaceful and sociable as its bronze cousin, it makes a wonderful, characterful bottom-dweller for a soft-substrate community. A group busily sifting the sand is one of the most endearing sights in the hobby.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eNatural Habitat\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe bronze cory complex (Osteogaster aeneus, recently separated from the genus Corydoras) is widespread across South America, where it lives in slow rivers, streams and marginal shallows over soft mud and sand. These warm, gently-flowing waters have plenty of leaf litter and cover.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eAppearance\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA small, armoured catfish with the typical rounded cory shape, sensory barbels around the mouth and a body clad in bony plates. This selectively-developed variety shows a dark charcoal to near-black body, often with a metallic green-blue sheen along the flanks. Females grow slightly larger and fuller-bodied.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eTemperament and Compatibility\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThoroughly peaceful and happiest in a group of six or more, when it becomes active and confident, foraging together across the bottom. It ignores other fish entirely and is an ideal community catfish. A lone cory is a stressed cory, so always keep a shoal.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eFeeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAn omnivorous bottom-forager. Offer sinking pellets and wafers as the staple, plus frozen and live foods such as bloodworm, daphnia and brine shrimp. It will scavenge scraps but must be fed its own sinking food rather than relying on leftovers.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eCare Requirements\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eProvide soft, smooth sand or rounded fine gravel, as sharp substrate damages their delicate barbels. Keep soft to neutral, clean water with good filtration and gentle flow, and never expose them to salt or harsh medications, to which corys are sensitive. A shaded, planted layout with driftwood suits them perfectly.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eBreeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA classic egg-depositor. Well-conditioned groups spawn after a cool water change, the female carrying eggs in a pouch formed by her pelvic fins and placing them on plants and glass. Adults do not tend the eggs, so protect or move them. Fry take crushed food and baby brine shrimp.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eSpecies Information\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eScientific Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOsteogaster aeneus (formerly Corydoras aeneus)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCommon Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBlack Venezuela Corydoras\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOrigin\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSouth America (widespread) - captive-bred strain\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMaximum Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAround 6-7cm\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLifespan\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e5-10 years\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTemperament\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePeaceful (schooling)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDifficulty\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBeginner\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMinimum Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e75 litres\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRecommended Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e110 litres or more\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDiet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOmnivore (bottom)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWater Temperature\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e22-28°C\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003epH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e6.0-7.8\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e2-15 dGH (soft to moderately hard)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSalinity\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot applicable (freshwater)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSuitable For\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePeaceful community aquariums with soft substrate\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eReef Safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot applicable\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePlant Safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eYes\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eSuitable Tank Mates\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAlmost any peaceful community fish, including tetras, rasboras, danios, dwarf cichlids, gouramis, livebearers and peaceful loaches. Best kept in a group of six or more of its own kind.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eAvoid Keeping With\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLarge or aggressive cichlids and other fish big enough to bully or eat them, and any species requiring hard, salty or brackish water. Avoid sharp gravel that damages their barbels.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nick's Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","offers":[{"title":"Small (1-5cm)","offer_id":55232799605027,"sku":"AA2155","price":44.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Medium (5-10cm)","offer_id":55232799637795,"sku":"AA2155-M","price":49.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0972\/7236\/5347\/files\/Black_Venezuelan_Corydoras_2c9455ea-4b6e-4164-938e-79c2c755f668.jpg?v=1781698779","url":"https:\/\/nicksaquariumoceanariumterrarium.com.au\/products\/black-venezuelan-corydoras-osteogaster-aeneus-black-venezuela","provider":"Nicks AOT","version":"1.0","type":"link"}