Cory catfish are the most common bottom dweller fish aquarist prefer to add to their tank. They are peaceful fish and do great with other peaceful fish in a community tank.
When keeping a cory catfish in a community tank, it is essential to know their sleeping behavior, how much light they require during the night, and whether they require light at night. So, Are cory catfish nocturnal? Let us find out.
Cory catfish are nocturnal fish as they are more active during the nighttime. However, they don’t have a fixed sleep schedule, so they will remain active during the daytime. Your cory catfish will sleep for 5-10 minutes multiple times during the day whenever they are tired and need rest.
This article will discuss whether cory catfish are nocturnal and do they remain active at night. Also, we will discuss whether they require light at night and can see in the dark. So, let us get into it.
Contents
Cory catfish sleeping behavior.
Cory catfish don’t have any fixed schedule of sleeping.
They will sleep anytime they are tired and need rest.
You will see your cory catfish being motionless for 5-10 minutes a day multiple times as they take a nap for 5-10 minutes when they are tired from searching for food.
Cory catfish are nocturnal fish as they remain active at night and feed at late hours.
However, they also remain active during the daytime and take a nap of 5-10 minutes when tired.
Also read: Why Is My Cory Catfish Not Moving?
Are cory catfish active at night?
Cory catfish enjoy scavenging on the bottom of the tank when the lights are off.
They will feed and be active at night, mostly known as nocturnal fish.
Cory catfish doesn’t have a fixed time to sleep.
They will rest for 5-10 minutes whenever needed and be active the whole time.
Cory catfish are bottom dwellers fish that feed on the bottom by scavenging the bottom in search of uneaten and sunk foods.
This feeding process seems challenging, and cory catfish spend most of their time doing this. Therefore, they will require some rest in between while performing this job.
So, your cory catfish will take a nap for 5-10 minutes whenever they feel tired and want to rest.
Are cory catfish diurnal?
Cory catfish can be classified as a nocturnal and not diurnal fish as they prefer to eat during the night and remain active.
Cory catfish are bottom dwellers and spend most of their time searching for food on the bottom of the tank.
Many aquarists having cory catfish have noticed their fish remaining active at night and scavenging the bottom in search of food.
So, we cannot say that cory catfish are diurnal fish that sleeps at night and remain active during the daytime.
As we have discussed above that, there is no fixed time for cory catfish to sleep as they will sleep whenever they are tired and need rest for some time.
Your cory catfish will take a small nap of 5-10 minutes during the day and will continue scavenging the bottom after having rest.
Do cory catfish require light at night?
Cory catfish do not require light at night as they use their whiskers to navigate around the aquarium.
Also, cory catfish don’t like the light much and prefer to live in a dark environment.
So, there is no need to keep the lights on in your aquarium during nighttime as your cory catfish doesn’t need lights at night.
Also, if you are keeping the lights on in your aquarium during the day, consider creating some shady areas in the tank where cory catfish can spend time.
You can create some by adding floating plants to your aquarium and some decors like a cave.
Can cory catfish see in the dark?
Cory catfish will not be able to see in the dark.
Cory catfish use their whiskers to navigate the tank and search for food.
However, cory catfish like to live in a dark environment and will live comfortably in an aquarium with the lights off.
You can keep the lights on during the daytime, but consider keeping them off during the nighttime.
Can I feed my cory catfish at night?
You can feed your cory catfish at night.
Cory catfish are bottom dwellers and spend most of the time searching for food on the bottom of the tank.
You can feed your cory catfish sinking pellet during the nighttime.
Feed your cory catfish one to two times a day to ensure their faster growth and development.
Live food like bloodworms, daphnia, tubifex worms, and mosquito larvae are some food your cory catfish will enjoy feeding.
Also read: How Often To Feed Cory Catfish?
Conclusion:
Cory catfish are nocturnal fish and remain active at night.
Cory catfish feed at nighttime during late hours.
However, they also remain active during the daytime.
They will take a nap for 5-10 minutes a day multiple times when they are tired and the rest is needed.
Cory catfish are bottom dwellers and spend most of the time searching for food at the bottom of the tank.
Such a task will make your cory catfish tired as it seems to be a challenging job.
So, they will take a 5-10 minute rest during the daytime whenever needed.
Reference: ScienceDirect, Wikipedia