Corydoras catfish are among the most cherished freshwater fish in the aquarium hobby. Their peaceful nature, fun schooling behavior, and gentle sand-sifting habits make them perfect additions to community tanks. Choosing the right species matters because each Cory has its own temperature needs, size, personality, and care level.
This guide is designed for beginner to intermediate hobbyists wanting expert-backed, practical advice for keeping Corydoras happy and healthy.
What Are Corydoras Catfish?
Corydoras are small, peaceful freshwater catfish native to South America, commonly found in slow, shallow jungle streams. According to FishBase, there are 170+ recognized Corydoras species, with many more yet to be described. They naturally sift through soft sand using their sensitive barbels to locate food.
They’re loved by hobbyists because they are:
- Extremely peaceful and social
- Active substrate cleaners
- Easy to pair with community fish
- Full of personality when kept in proper schools
Corydoras are bottom-dwellers but will frequently dart to the surface to “gulp” air, a natural behavior using their modified intestine for oxygen absorption.
They thrive best in:
- Fine sand
- Clean water
- Stable temperatures
- Large schools of 6–12 fish
Key Care Requirements for All Corydoras
Tank Size
- Most mid-sized Corydoras: 20 gallons
- Dwarf species (like Pygmy Cory): 10 gallons
- Larger species (Emerald Cory): 30 gallons+
Water Parameters
- Temperature: 72–79°F (22–26°C)
- pH: 6.2 – 7.6
- Hardness: Soft to moderately hard
Some species prefer cooler water (Pepper, Panda), while others enjoy warmer conditions (Sterbai).
Substrate
Corydoras require soft sand to protect their barbels. Sharp gravel causes cuts, infections, and eventual barbel loss.
Safe sand types:
- Pool filter sand
- Aquarium sand
- Black diamond blasting sand (rinsed & sifted)
Diet
Corys are omnivores and enjoy:
- Sinking pellets
- Bloodworms, daphnia, tubifex
- Repashy
- Baby brine shrimp
- Wafers
- Blanched vegetables (occasionally)
Feed 1 to 2 small meals per day.
School Size
Minimum 6, ideally 10 – 12.
Tankmates
Great with:
- Tetras
- Rasboras
- Guppies
- Platies
- Peaceful gouramis
- Shrimp
- Snails
Avoid aggressive or fin-nipping species.
Common Beginner Mistakes
- Using gravel instead of sand
- Keeping only 1–2 Corys
- Overfeeding protein
- Not matching temperature to the species
- Lack of hiding spots
12 Popular Corydoras Species
Below are the top Corydoras species, including 5 newly added species for a fresh, more informative guide.
1. Bandit Cory
Corydoras metae
Size: 2 – 2.5 in
Tank Size: 20 gallons
Temperature: 72 – 78°F
pH: 6.2 – 7.4
Features:
Black “bandit mask” across the eyes. Calm, schooling, adaptable.
Care Notes:
Hardier than similar species. Best kept in groups of 8+.
2. Bronze Cory
Corydoras aeneus
Size: 2.5 – 3 in
Tank Size: 20 gallons
Temperature: 72 – 80°F
pH: 6.0 – 7.6
Features:
Extremely hardy, widely available, and perfect for beginners.
Care Notes:
Highly adaptable; great in peaceful community setups.
3. Panda Cory
Corydoras panda
Size: 2 in
Tank Size: 20 gallons
Temperature: 68 – 75°F
pH: 6.2 – 7.4
Features:
Cute panda-like patches. Prefers cooler water.
Care Notes:
A bit sensitive; requires clean, oxygen-rich water.
4. Pepper Cory
Corydoras paleatus
Size: 2.5 – 3 in
Tank Size: 20 – 30 gallons
Temperature: 68 – 75°F
pH: 6.2 – 7.5
Features:
Speckled body; thrives in cooler aquariums.
Care Notes:
Excellent for unheated tanks; very hardy.
5. Sterbai Cory
Corydoras sterbai
Size: 2.6 – 3 in
Tank Size: 30 gallons
Temperature: 75 – 82°F
pH: 6.2 – 7.5
Features:
Dark body with bright white spots.
Care Notes:
One of the few warm-water Corydoras; ideal for Discus tanks.
6. Pygmy Cory
Corydoras pygmaeus
Size: 1 – 1.2 in
Tank Size: 10 gallons
Temperature: 72 – 78°F
pH: 6.4 – 7.4
Features:
A true dwarf Cory that swims mid-water more than bottom.
Care Notes:
Needs large schools (10 – 20). Great for nano tanks.
7. Albino Cory
Corydoras aeneus – albino variety
Size: 2.5 – 3 in
Tank Size: 20 gallons
Temperature: 72 – 80°F
pH: 6.0 – 7.6
Features:
Snow-white body with pink eyes; identical care to Bronze Corys.
Care Notes:
Very hardy; ideal starter fish.
8. Adolfoi Cory
Corydoras adolfoi
Size: 2 – 2.5 in
Tank Size: 20 gallons
Temperature: 72 – 79°F
pH: 6.0 – 7.2
Features:
White body, black eye stripe, and striking orange patch on the head.
Care Notes:
Needs very clean, soft water. More delicate than Bronze or Pepper Corys.
9. Black Venezuelan Cory
Corydoras venezuelanus “Black”
Size: 2.5 – 3 in
Tank Size: 20 gallons
Temperature: 72 – 79°F
pH: 6.2 – 7.4
Features:
Deep velvety black coloration; stunning in planted tanks.
Care Notes:
Hardy, active, and great for community tanks.
10. Emerald Cory
Brochis splendens
Size: 3.5 – 4 in
Tank Size: 30 gallons
Temperature: 72 – 78°F
pH: 6.0 – 7.2
Features:
Large, armored-looking Cory with iridescent green shine.
Care Notes:
Needs more space due to size. Very hardy and beginner-friendly.
11. Similis Cory (Violet Cory)
Corydoras similis
Size: 2 in
Tank Size: 20 gallons
Temperature: 72 – 79°F
pH: 6.0 – 7.4
Features:
Fine spotted pattern with a dark dorsal patch.
Care Notes:
Peaceful and active; loves planted setups with soft sand.
12. Melini Cory (False Bandit Cory)
Corydoras melini
Size: 2 – 2.4 in
Tank Size: 20 gallons
Temperature: 72 – 78°F
pH: 6.0 – 7.4
Features:
Bold diagonal black stripe pattern similar to Bandit Corys.
Care Notes:
Calm, hardy, and excellent for community aquariums.
Which Corydoras Species Are Best for Beginners?
Top Recommendations:
- Bronze Cory
- Albino Cory
- Pepper Cory
- Emerald Cory
- Pygmy Cory (for nano tanks)
These species are hardy, adaptable, widely available, and forgiving of minor mistakes.
Avoid delicate species like Adolfoi and Similis Corys if you’re just starting.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How many Corydoras should I buy?
Corydoras are schooling fish and feel safest when kept in groups. Aim for at least 6 of the same species, but larger groups of 8–12 encourage natural behavior, better activity, and reduced stress.
2. Do Corydoras eat algae?
Corydoras are not algae eaters. They prefer leftover fish food, worms, and sinking pellets. You still need an actual algae eater like Otocinclus or Amano shrimp if algae control is a priority.
3. Do Corydoras need sand?
Yes, soft sand is essential because Corydoras use their barbels to sift and search for food. Sharp gravel can damage their barbels, making feeding difficult and increasing the risk of infections.
4. What tank size is best for Corydoras?
Most Corydoras do well in a 20-gallon tank, which gives them enough room to school and explore. Dwarf species like Pygmy Corys can live in a 10-gallon, while larger species like Emerald Corys need 30 gallons or more.
5. How long do Corydoras live?
With proper care, Corydoras typically live 5 to 10 years, and hardy species like Bronze Corys can exceed 12 years. Consistent water quality, a healthy diet, and correct stocking greatly extend their lifespan.
6. Are Corydoras safe with shrimp?
Yes, Corydoras are peaceful and won’t harm adult shrimp. They may eat tiny newborn shrimplets, but this usually isn’t a concern in well-planted tanks where baby shrimp can hide.
7. Do Corydoras clean the tank?
They help by eating leftover food on the bottom, which reduces waste buildup. However, they do not replace vacuuming or algae cleaners, regular tank maintenance is still important.
8. Can Corydoras live alone?
No, they should never be kept alone. A single Cory becomes stressed, hides more, and shows unnatural behavior. Keeping them in groups brings out their playful nature and improves overall health.
Conclusion
Corydoras catfish bring life, activity, and endless charm to freshwater aquariums. Their schooling nature, gentle personalities, and sand-sifting habits make them one of the most rewarding community fish to keep.
With soft sand, clean water, proper school sizes, and species-specific temperature care, they will thrive for many years.
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