Scavenger Fish (Corydoras): The Misunderstood Cleaners of the Aquarium
Scavenger fish are one of the most misunderstood members of the aquarium world. Although they are generally thought to clean the aquarium, they are actually responsible for eating the food that sinks to the bottom. Read on to learn more about the proper care and characteristics of these cute creatures.
General Characteristics of Scavenger Fish
Scavenger fish live collectively in their natural habitat and tend to live in harmony with other species.
Dimensions may vary from 0.2 cm to 12 cm.
They get their nutrition from plants, insects and worms in the soil.
With proper care, they can have a long lifespan of up to 20 years.
They are ideal creatures for aquariums and are preferred by most hobbyists.
They eat food left over from other fish as it sinks to the bottom, but they also consume specially formulated tablet food that sinks to the bottom.
They are usually seen at the bottom and middle of the aquarium, rarely coming to the surface of the water.
They have a hard layer instead of scales.
It is difficult to distinguish the sexes, but males are generally taller and thinner, while females are wider and rounder. Additionally, female fins are rounded while male's are more pointed.
They are tough and hardy and rarely get sick.
They have both a carnivorous and herbivorous diet.
It is difficult for them to breed in the aquarium and they reproduce with eggs.
They are peaceful and harmless creatures, living in harmony with other aquarium inhabitants.
There are sharp spines on its side fins.
Scavenger Fish Care
There are some important factors to consider in scavenger fish care:
The temperature of the aquarium where scavenger fish live should be approximately 25 degrees.
A sandy ground is important for them because they get the food from the sand. However, care should be taken to ensure that the sand is not sharp and hard.
Internal filters should not be used as they may be incompatible with other aquarium equipment.
It is important to provide sinking tablet food specifically designed for scavenger fish.
They can live harmoniously with other inhabitants of the aquarium, but they should not be kept together with aggressive species.
When arranging plants, bottom plants should be avoided because these fish tend to forage among plants.
If the fins of scavenger fish are damaged or torn, this may indicate health problems and should be examined carefully.
How to Feed Scavenger Fish
Scavenger fish offer a very entertaining view while feeding. They check the feed using their whiskers before taking the feed. They obtain most of their nutrition from food that settles at the bottom of the aquarium. For this reason, it is important to be careful that the residues of the food given to other creatures in the aquarium do not settle at the bottom of the water. Additionally, it is necessary to have special sinking tablet food to ensure the longevity of scavenger fish.
In conclusion, although scavenger fish may be misunderstood as the cleaners of your aquarium, they are actually colorful and enjoyable creatures. They can have a long life under proper care and feeding conditions. Therefore, if you are considering keeping these cute fish, it is important to pay attention to their special needs and provide appropriate conditions.
