How to Determine Which Breed of Corydoras is Best for Your Aquarium

Co-authored by wikiHow Staff

Last Updated: March 29, 2019 References

Corydoras are a popular fish for freshwater aquariums because they are mild-mannered, easy to care for, and entertaining to observe. Also known as cory catfish, there are over 170 different species.^{[1]
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Research source} When determining which breed of corydoras is best for your aquarium, you should consider the tank, your other fish, and your personal preferences.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:
Evaluating Your Aquarium

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Choose a breed of corydoras that will fit in your aquarium. Although corydoras are a small fish, they are also social and should be kept in groups of 5 or more. You will need a minimum tank size of 20 gallons (76 L) for most corydoras species.^{[2]
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- If you have a smaller tank, choose pygmy corydoras since they are smaller than other corydoras species and can thrive in less space.
2
Get corydoras that will thrive in the water temperature of your tank. You can buy an aquarium thermometer at your local aquarium supply store or online. In general, corydoras prefer a temperature of 70 °F (21 °C) to 80 °F (27 °C).^{[3]
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- Sterbai corydoras can tolerate higher temperatures and will do well up to 86 °F (30 °C).^{[4]
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3
Pick corydoras that can handle your water’s pH. You can measure the pH with a kit from your local aquarium supply store or online, along with chemicals you can use to adjust the pH if needed. Corydoras do best with a pH of 6.0-8.0.^{[5]
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- Panda corydoras, albino corydoras, bronze corydoras, and peppered corydoras prefer a pH of 6.0-7.0.
- Sterbai corydoras can handle a wider pH range of 6.0-7.5.
- Pygmy corydoras prefer a pH of 6.4-7.4.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:
Assessing the Other Fish in Your Aquarium

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Consider the temperaments of your other fish. Because corydoras are very non-aggressive, they could be picked by more aggressive fish. Pygmy corydoras are particularly susceptible to bullying due to their small size, but that also means they are one of the few fish that will leave baby dwarf shrimp alone.^{[6]
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- Avoid keeping corydoras with species like cichlids and barbs.^{[7]
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- Corydoras will do well with tank mates including mollies, fancy guppies, platies, swordtails, neon tetras, angelfish, danios, and gouramis.^{[8]
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Make sure you have enough room. Corydoras are social fish and prefer to be kept in groups of 5 or more.^{[9]
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Research source} Depending on how many other fish you have in your aquarium, it may be best to select pygmy corydoras so that there is ample space for all of your fish.
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Pick a corydoras breed that fits your aquarium feeding routine. Corydoras are bottom feeders and will scavenge most of their food from the tank bottom.^{[10]
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Research source} Peppered corydoras eat insects, worms, small crustaceans, and decaying plants, while sterbai corydoras feed on sinking pellets, wafers, and fresh vegetable matter.^{[11]
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Method 3

Method 3 of 3:
Determining Your Preferences

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Go to a fish store to look at the different varieties. Corydoras come in a range of colors, sizes, and body types. Since the coloration of some species like peppered corydoras can vary widely, it’s best to look at them in person.^{[12]
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- Panda corydoras have a cream-colored body with black spots on their heads. They grow to be about 2 inches (5.1 cm) long.
- Peppered corydoras are tan with dark green and black patterns, although no two are the same. They will grow to be 2.5 inches (6.4 cm) to 3 inches (7.6 cm) long.
- Bronze and albino corydoras are the same species, although their coloring patterns are very different: the bronze variety is brown with a gray stripe, and the albino variety is white. They are about 2.5 inches (6.4 cm) long.
- Sterbai corydoras have a striking dark gray and cream-colored speckled pattern and grow to be about 2.5 inches (6.4 cm) long.^{[13]
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- Pygmy corydoras are silver in color and are only about 1 inch (2.5 cm) long.
2
Decide if you want a particular personality. While all corydoras are active schooling fish, their behavior can vary by breed. Some are more energetic, while others have behaviors that fish owners may find entertaining.^{[14]
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- Panda corydoras are particularly energetic and needs lots of room to zoom around the tank.
- Albino corydoras are known for being unpredictable and “spazzy,” which is entertaining for some fish owners to observe.^{[15]
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- Sterbai corydoras are considered energetic and comical.^{[16]
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Think about where you want your corydoras to spend their time. While most corydoras hang out at the bottom of the tank, pygmy corydoras prefer to swim around in the middle of the aquarium.^{[17]
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Research source} If you already have other species in the middle layer of your aquarium, this could create a crowded, messy look.^{[18]
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Community Q&A

Question

What if I have less than 5 corys?

LeahlovesGod

Top Answerer

Having less than 5 corydoras in a tank is perfectly fine. Although they like to be in the company of others, they will be fine with less.
Question

I had 5 jaguar corys. About a month I decided to add 4 albino corys. Suddenly one by one my albino corys died off, but my jaguar corys are still alive. Why?

ArtemisCottonCandy

Community Answer

Albinos are slightly weak, they need extra care. There is also the possibility that the jaguars were fighting with the albinos and the albinos lost.
Question

What is the difference between albino corydoras and bronze corydoras? (Wikipedia classifies them as the same thing.)

LeahlovesGod

Top Answerer

Albino corydoras and bronze corydoras are two different species of corydoras. There is a breed of Albino bronze corydoras (Corydoras aeneus) which is different than regular albino cory cats (Albino Paleatus).
Question

What is the best combo of catfish in a 28 gallon aquarium? How about in a 10 gallon?

Dieyun Ding

Top Answerer

In a 28 gallon aquarium, 3 dwarf corydoras and 2 panda corydoras would be a good combination, or 6 dwarf corys. A 10 gallon can probably support 4 dwarf corydoras.
Question

Do panda corys do well with peppered corys?

Emily Greenslade

Community Answer

Almost all corys can coexist with each other peacefully, including panda and peppered.
Question

My brother and I keep a julii catfish and an albino catfish. Just the other day, we figured out the albino was a female. We don't have room for a lot of catfish. Is it possible that they could breed?

LeahlovesGod

Top Answerer

This isn't super likely. I have two different breeds of corydoras just as you have, a female and male. Although the female has laid eggs, none of them have been fertilized by the male. The female lays eggs after almost every water change.
Question

What other fish can I mix with corydora?

Emmylou Pruitt

Community Answer

They will be fine with most peaceful community fish. Platies or tetras would be a good choice. I would not recommend goldfish, because cories prefer warmer water than goldfish.