Black Corydoras and Similar Species
Corydoras schultzei
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Open the appSeveral fish can be confused with Black Corydoras. Here are the key differences.
Species often confused with {name}
Bronze Corydoras
Corydoras aeneus
Key differences: C. aeneus typically has a bronze to greenish-brown body with a lighter belly, often with a metallic sheen. It lacks the uniform deep black coloration of C. schultzei. While melanistic forms of C. aeneus exist, C. schultzei is a distinct species with consistent dark pigmentation.
Black Venezuelan Corydoras (misidentified C. aeneus)
Corydoras aeneus (melanistic form)
Key differences: Historically, C. schultzei was often misidentified as a melanistic form of C. aeneus. True C. schultzei is a distinct species, while melanistic C. aeneus are simply dark variants of C. aeneus. Genetic analysis and subtle morphological differences (e.g., fin ray counts, body proportions) are required for definitive differentiation, though the consistent, deep black of C. schultzei is a strong indicator.
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