Complete Corydoras Catfish Care Guide

There are many corydoras species to choose from. Here are some popular options:

Beginner-Friendly Species - Bronze Cory (C. aeneus) - Hardy, common, 2.5 inches - Albino Cory - Color variant of bronze, equally hardy - Peppered Cory (C. paleatus) - Hardy, attractive pattern - Panda Cory (C. panda) - Cute markings, slightly more sensitive

Dwarf Species (for smaller tanks) - Pygmy Cory (C. pygmaeus) - 1 inch, mid-water swimmer - Habrosus Cory (C. habrosus) - 1.4 inches - Hastatus Cory (C. hastatus) - 1 inch

Larger Species - Emerald Cory (C. splendens) - 3 inches, beautiful green - Sterbai Cory (C. sterbai) - 2.6 inches, popular pattern

Important Note Keep corydoras in groups of 6+ of the SAME species. While different species can coexist, they prefer their own kind for schooling.

Proper substrate is crucial for corydoras health. Their barbels (whiskers) are sensitive and can be damaged by rough materials.

Substrate Requirements - Sand is ideal (pool filter sand, play sand) - Smooth, rounded gravel is acceptable - AVOID sharp gravel or crusite - damages barbels - Bare bottom works but limits natural behavior

Tank Size - 20 gallons minimum for a group of 6 - Larger tanks allow larger groups - Floor space more important than height

Filtration - Moderate filtration with gentle flow - Cories appreciate some current but not too strong - Sponge filters work excellently

Decorations - Driftwood and rocks for hiding - Live plants (they won't damage them) - Open sandy areas for foraging - Caves and shelters

Corydoras are highly social fish that thrive in groups.

Group Size - Minimum 6 of the same species - Larger groups (10+) show better behavior - Mixed species possible but same-species groups preferred

Behavior to Observe - Foraging together along the bottom - Resting in groups during the day - Darting to surface for air (normal labyrinth breathing) - "Winking" (blinking eyes - unique to cories)

Signs of Stress - Hiding constantly - Not eating - Eroded barbels - Faded colors - Gasping at surface excessively

While cories will eat leftover food, they should not be relied upon as "cleanup crew." They need their own balanced diet.

Diet Staples - Sinking pellets or wafers - Algae wafers - Bottom feeder tablets

Supplemental Foods - Frozen bloodworms - Frozen brine shrimp - Blanched vegetables (zucchini, cucumber) - Live blackworms (occasional treat)

Feeding Tips - Feed after lights out when they're most active - Ensure food reaches the bottom - Don't rely on "leftovers" from other fish - Cories are not just scavengers - they need proper nutrition