Spawning report: Ostegaster hephaestus (fireball cory)
Name: John Satterlee
Scientific Name of Fish* Osteogaster hephaestus
Hobby Name of Fish: Fireball cory
Method of Reproduction: Egg depositor
Number and Gender Distribution of Parents : Mixed group of 6 adults
Origin of Parents: Tank raised from Ohio Cichlid Extravaganza
Approximate number of eggs or fry* unknown
Date of Hatch or Birth* unknown, transfer mops to a new tank on July 4, 2026
Date of Free Swimming If Hatched:
Approx. Number of Fry at 30 Days* 2 fry August 9, 2026
Approx. Number of Fry at 60 Days
Aquarium Conditions:
pH 7.2
General Hardness: 150 ppm
Average Temperature (F) 72-82 depending on season
Salinity: None
Average Nitrate: less than 40 ppm.
Aquarium Size: 20 gallon
Water Source: Rockville town water
Water Changes: Every two months, 80-90% water change
Filtration System: Sponge filter
Additives: none
Décor:
Live Plants: Bolbitis, crypt
Hiding Places: Clay blocks on top of rocks to provide a hide
Substrate: Thin layer of black sand (I think these corys look better on black sand)
Lighting Type and Timing: Home depot shop light, 14 hours light, 10 hours dark
Food Fed to Parents and How Often* Tetramin flake food daily, Hikari algae wafers twice per week, Live baby brine shrimp twice a week. Live black worms as a treat every 2-3 weeks, sometimes for several days in a row.
Breeding mops: I added several breeding mops made up of green eyelash (or feather) yarn. I used fish bobbers to float a couple and I used plant weights to sink a couple so the parents had choices.
Breeding triggers: Water change and black worms.
Hatching eggs and feeding and raising fry: I have yet to see any fry in the tank, so I guess these corys are egg eaters.
I left the mops in with the fish for a couple weeks. Then on July 4 I transferred them to a 5 gallon clear bottom tank with aeration. This tank had 100% RO water in it although I do not know if this matters. I also included a catappa leaf which likely produces biofilm for the fry to feed on when they are ready. On August 9, I removed the mops and found two black fireball fry at the bottom of the tank. I transferred them to their own 5 gallon tank to grow up.
I made a couple of observations. One is that these corys are small---at full size they are about the size of Hoplisoma habrosum. They are quite active and flit around the tank as a group. Also they liketo hang out in the mops. When I removed mops there was often an adult hiding in the mop and it was not always easy to coax them out.
I plan to repeat this strategy a few times and see if I can improve my fry output.
Here is a picture of the parents. It does not do them justice---the fish are stunning in the tank on the black sand
. Usually the adults are black with a bit of red on the fins. But when they get stressed out their bodies lighten up.