{"product_id":"black-venezuela-cory-corydoras-aeneus-freshwater","title":"Black Venezuela Cory (Corydoras aeneus)","description":"\u003cdiv style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif;color:#1a1a1a;max-width:860px;line-height:1.7;\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"background:#E3F2FD;border-left:4px solid #1E88E5;padding:10px 14px;margin:0 0 14px;font-size:0.95em;\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eIn-store pickup only.\u003c\/strong\u003e Your order is reserved, we hold off on bagging until you arrive so it stays healthy in its display tank.\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe \u003cstrong\u003eBlack Venezuela Cory\u003c\/strong\u003e (\u003cem\u003eCorydoras aeneus\u003c\/em\u003e \"Black Venezuela\") is a captive-bred, all black line of the bronze cory group, with a velvety charcoal to jet black body and dark fins from nose to tail. Against pale sand or a bright green planted tank it stands out in a way no other cory does. It is peaceful, hardy and beginner friendly, spending the day sifting the substrate with its whisker-like barbels and cleaning up food that the fish above miss. Browse the rest of our \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/collections\/fish\"\u003elive freshwater fish\u003c\/a\u003e and \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/collections\/fresh-water\"\u003efreshwater supplies\u003c\/a\u003e to build the tank around it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #1E88E5;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eCare Guide\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eKeep them in a group.\u003c\/strong\u003e Corys are schooling catfish and are shy and stressed when kept alone. Plan on six or more. Black Venezuelas are uncommon, so if we only have one or two, they will happily group up with their close relatives, the \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/orange-venezuela-cory-corydoras-aeneus-freshwater\"\u003eOrange Venezuela Cory\u003c\/a\u003e and other bronze-type corys.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTank size:\u003c\/strong\u003e 20 gallons or more for a group, with plenty of open floor space. Corys use the bottom of the tank, so a long tank beats a tall one.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSubstrate:\u003c\/strong\u003e sand or smooth, rounded gravel. Sharp gravel wears down their barbels, which are how they find food.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTemperature:\u003c\/strong\u003e 72 to 79°F. Like all bronze-type corys they do well toward the cooler end of tropical.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWater parameters:\u003c\/strong\u003e pH 6.0 to 8.0, soft to moderately hard. Corys are sensitive to nitrate buildup and dirty substrate, so do regular water changes and vacuum the open areas of the sand. See our \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/collections\/maintenance-water-care\"\u003ewater care and conditioners\u003c\/a\u003e and \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/collections\/water-testing\"\u003ewater test kits\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFeeding:\u003c\/strong\u003e omnivore and bottom feeder. They need food that reaches the floor, so feed a sinking staple like \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/hikari-mini-algae-wafers\"\u003eHikari Mini Algae Wafers\u003c\/a\u003e or \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/hikari-algae-wafers\"\u003eHikari Algae Wafers\u003c\/a\u003e, plus frozen bloodworms or brine shrimp a few times a week. Leftover flakes from the top of the tank are not enough on their own.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMedications:\u003c\/strong\u003e corys are sensitive to copper and some strong treatments. Use half doses or cory-safe medications if you ever need to treat the tank.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #1E88E5;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ctable style=\"border-collapse:collapse;width:100%;max-width:640px;\"\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCommon name\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eBlack Venezuela Cory, Black Venezuelan Corydoras\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eScientific name\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eCorydoras aeneus\u003c\/em\u003e \"Black Venezuela\"\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCare level\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eBeginner\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTemperament\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003ePeaceful, schooling, keep 6 or more\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMax size\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eAbout 2.5 inches\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMinimum tank\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e20 gallons for a group\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTemperature\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e72 to 79°F\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003epH\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e6.0 to 8.0\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDiet\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eOmnivore, bottom feeder\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTank level\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eBottom\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLifespan\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e5 years or more with good care\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOrigin\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eCaptive bred line, bronze cory group from northern South America\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePickup\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eIn-store pickup at Squeaky's Aquatics\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #1E88E5;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eCompatibility\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBlack Venezuela Corys get along with almost any peaceful community fish that will not try to eat them. Great tank mates include \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/neon-tetra-paracheirodon-innesi-freshwater\"\u003eNeon Tetras\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/harlequin-rasbora-large\"\u003eHarlequin Rasboras\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/otocinclus-catfish-otocinclus-vittatus-freshwater-algae-eater\"\u003eOtocinclus\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/cherry-shrimp-neocaridina-davidi-freshwater\"\u003eCherry Shrimp\u003c\/a\u003e and other corys like the \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/panda-cory-corydoras-panda-freshwater\"\u003ePanda Cory\u003c\/a\u003e. They also share a tank well with a single betta or a pair of dwarf gouramis.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAvoid large cichlids, big barbs and anything with a mouth big enough to swallow a 2 inch fish. Fin-nipping species can harass them too. Corys have sharp spines in their fins as a defense, so net them gently and never let a predator try to swallow one.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #1E88E5;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eRecommended Foods \u0026amp; Supplies\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/hikari-mini-algae-wafers\"\u003eHikari Mini Algae Wafers\u003c\/a\u003e, a sinking staple sized for corys\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/hikari-algae-wafers\"\u003eHikari Algae Wafers\u003c\/a\u003e for larger groups\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/orange-venezuela-cory-corydoras-aeneus-freshwater\"\u003eOrange Venezuela Cory\u003c\/a\u003e and our \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/assorted-cory-catfish-corydoras-spp-freshwater\"\u003eAssorted Cory Catfish\u003c\/a\u003e to round out a group\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/collections\/maintenance-water-care\"\u003eWater care and conditioners\u003c\/a\u003e for regular water changes\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/collections\/water-testing\"\u003eWater test kits\u003c\/a\u003e to keep an eye on nitrate\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #1E88E5;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eFAQ\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs the Black Venezuela Cory a different species from the bronze cory?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIt belongs to the same bronze cory group, \u003cem\u003eCorydoras aeneus\u003c\/em\u003e, and is sold as a black line of it. Its exact relationship to the wild forms is still debated, which is why you will see it labeled \"Corydoras sp. Black Venezuela\" in some places. Care is the same as for bronze, albino and orange Venezuela corys.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow many should I keep?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eSix or more is ideal. A single cory will usually hide and act stressed. If we do not have six black ones, mixing them with other bronze-type corys gives them the group they need.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhy does my cory dart to the surface?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eCorys can gulp air from the surface and absorb it through their gut. An occasional dash to the top is normal. Constant trips can mean poor water quality or low oxygen, so test the water.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWill it clean my tank?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIt eats leftover food that sinks to the bottom, which helps, but it does not eat waste and is not a replacement for water changes. It still needs its own sinking food.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Squeaky's Aquatics","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":51045118935259,"sku":"8170560","price":29.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0767\/5209\/3403\/files\/ChatGPT_Image_Nov_5_2026_12_09_37_PM.png?v=1793898601","url":"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/black-venezuela-cory-corydoras-aeneus-freshwater","provider":"Squeaky's Aquatics","version":"1.0","type":"link"}