The Reversal of Self-Poisoning in Bronze and Albino corydoras: A Recent Study

Abstract

The Albino corydoras is a variation of the Bronze Corydoras that advanced through the aquarium trade. They tend to display a pale pink body with red eyes. The fact that these Albino corydoras are specifically bred for the commercial ornamental fish trade renders them blind as they are commonly injected with a bright red dye.  Corydoras is a genus of freshwater catfish that belongs to the family Callichthyidae and the subfamily of Corydoradinae. Corydoras are small fish, estimating between 21-100mm and averaging at 57mm. The unique ability to use their body armor scales and sharp, commonly venomous spines allows them to protect themselves from predators. Alongside this, the Corydoras can self-poison when threatened, a common feature of many species of Corys, which enables them to deliver poisonous mucus from their gills causing surrounding fish to expeditiously die. The process of self-poisoning causes tremendous stress on the Corydoras, often resulting in death. This study focuses on the process of self-poisoning and insight into its reversal in Bronze Corydoras and Albino corydoras. The purpose of this study is to inform marine biologists and educate aquarium hobbyists on possible reversing mechanisms that could save the lives of many Corydoras.