Breeder's Award Program

Name: John Satterlee

Scientific Name of Fish* Osteogaster venezuelanus

Hobby Name of Fish:  Orange Venezuelan cory

Method of Reproduction:  Egg depositor

Number and Gender Distribution of Parents :  Mixed group of 5 adults

Origin of Parents:  Tank raised

Approximate number of eggs or fry*  20

Date of Hatch or Birth* Feb 2025

Date of Free Swimming If Hatched:  before Mar 5, 2025

Approx. Number of Fry at 30 Days*  around 20

Approx. Number of Fry at 60 Days  around 20

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:  10 Gallon

Water Source:  Rockville town water

Water Changes:  Every two months, 80-90% water change

Filtration System:  Sponge filter

Additives: tablespoon of crushed coral

Décor:

Live Plants:  Bolbitis

Hiding Places:  Clay pot bottom askew on top of rock to provide cover

Substrate:  Thin layer of pool 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.

Breeding triggers:  I have bred these three times.  They seem to prefer to breed post-water change and/or if a thunderstorm hits.

Hatching eggs and feeding and raising fry:  Eggs were observed on glass sides of tank.  I collected these by hand and transferred them to a 5 in x 5 in sq plastic container filled about 1 in high with new dechlorinated water (not from parental tank).  I added a drop or so of methylene blue solution just until the water was visibly blue.  I also added one half Indian almond leaf.  Then I added an air stone and kept the container uncovered.  After a few days the eggs hatched and the small fry could be seen darting around.  My opinion is that the fry initially ate biofilm which grew on the leaf I added.  I followed up by feeding the fry with small amounts of sera micron powder once or twice a day and baby brine shrimp every couple days.  I did not do any water changes.  After a few days I transferred the fry to a 5 gallon tank with a sponge filter, bolbitis, and a thin layer of sand.  They were then fed as I feed the adults.

I sold one batch of juveniles at the most recent PVAS auction.

32 days later (camera wouldn't focus all the way). About 30 fry