Corydoras, often simply called Corys, are among the most popular freshwater catfish in the aquarium hobby. Loved for their peaceful nature, playful personalities and constant foraging behaviour, these social bottom dwellers are an excellent addition to community aquariums. With hundreds of species available, there's a Corydoras to suit almost every tropical freshwater setup.

Why You'll Love Corydoras

• Peaceful community fish suitable for almost any freshwater aquarium
• Highly social and entertaining to watch
• Available in a huge range of colours and patterns
• Excellent companions for tetras, rasboras, rainbowfish and dwarf cichlids
• Constantly forage the substrate for leftover food

Creating the Ideal Home

Tank Size

Most Corydoras are comfortable in aquariums from 60 litres onwards. Smaller species such as Pygmy Corydoras can be kept in well-established nano aquariums, while larger species appreciate additional swimming space.

Temperature

Most Corydoras thrive between 22–27°C. Some species have slightly different preferences, so always check the requirements for your chosen variety.

Water Quality

• Ammonia: 0 ppm
• Nitrite: 0 ppm
• Nitrate: ideally below 20 ppm
• pH: 6.2–7.6

Corydoras are hardy once established but require a fully cycled aquarium with clean, well-maintained water and regular water changes.

Filtration

Moderate filtration with good biological capacity is ideal. Corydoras appreciate clean, oxygen-rich water without excessive current.

Aquascaping

Fine sand is the preferred substrate as Corydoras naturally sift through it using their sensitive barbels. Add driftwood, plants and shaded areas while leaving open spaces where they can forage comfortably.

Feeding

Corydoras are omnivores and should receive a varied diet. While they will eat leftover food, they should never be relied upon as your aquarium's "clean-up crew."

• Sinking community pellets
• Quality algae wafers
• Frozen bloodworms
• Brine shrimp
• Daphnia
• Live blackworms and live foods

Feeding directly to the bottom of the aquarium ensures every Corydoras receives enough nutrition.

Suitable Tank Mates

Corydoras are exceptionally peaceful and mix well with a wide variety of community fish.

• Tetras
• Rasboras
• Danios
• Rainbowfish
• Apistogramma
• Rams
• Peaceful Gouramis
• Otocinclus
• Shrimp (larger species)

Avoid keeping Corydoras with aggressive cichlids or large predatory fish that may harass or injure them.

Popular Corydoras Species

• Peppered Corydoras (Corydoras paleatus)
• Bronze Corydoras (Corydoras aeneus)
• Albino Bronze Corydoras
• Panda Corydoras
• Julii Corydoras
• Sterbai Corydoras
• Pygmy Corydoras
• Habrosus Corydoras
• Adolfoi Corydoras

Corydoras FAQs

How many Corydoras should I keep?

Corydoras are highly social fish and should be kept in groups of at least six of the same species whenever possible. Larger groups display more natural behaviour and are far more confident.

Do Corydoras clean the aquarium?

Corydoras will happily eat uneaten food from the substrate, but they are not a substitute for regular aquarium maintenance, gravel cleaning or water changes.

Do Corydoras need sand?

Fine sand is highly recommended as it allows Corydoras to forage naturally without damaging their delicate barbels. Smooth fine gravel can also be used if it is not sharp.

Can Corydoras live with shrimp?

Yes. Corydoras generally ignore adult shrimp and make excellent tank mates for most dwarf shrimp species. Very small shrimplets may occasionally be eaten, but this is uncommon compared to many other fish.

Do Corydoras breathe air?

Yes. Corydoras will occasionally dart to the surface to gulp air. This is completely normal behaviour, although frequent surface visits may indicate low oxygen levels in the aquarium.