Bronze cory
Corydoras aeneus
The most widely kept cory: a tough bronze-green or albino catfish that shoals along the bottom and handles a broad range of water.
Key facts
- Body length
- 3 in without fins
- Minimum tank
- 23 gallons
- Group
- 6+
- Temperament
- Peaceful
- Care level
- 1 / 5
- Lifespan
- Not well documented
- Diet
- Sinking wafers, pellets, frozen bloodworm
- Origin
- South America
- Hardier than67%
- Bigger than46%
- Calmer than68%
Water: their range vs yours
Bronze cory tank mates
- Neon tetraGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Harlequin rasboraGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Fancy guppyGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Panda corydorasGets along in shared water.Good mates
- OtocinclusGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Cherry shrimpGets along in shared water.Good mates
- BettaGets along in shared water.Good mates
- AngelfishGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Tiger barbGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Amano shrimpGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Black neon tetraGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Black widow tetraGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Chinese algae eaterChinese algae eater attacks fish with a similar shape or colour: Bronze cory.Risky
- Clown loachClown loach attacks fish with a similar shape or colour: Bronze cory.Risky
- Convict cichlidConvict cichlid can eat young or small Bronze cory; adults are big enough to be safe.Risky
- DemasoniDemasoni attacks fish with a similar shape or colour: Bronze cory.Risky
- Golden mbunaGolden mbuna attacks fish with a similar shape or colour: Bronze cory.Risky
- GoldfishGoldfish needs cool water; bronze corys need tropical heat.Risky
- Blue dolphin cichlidBlue dolphin cichlid can eat Bronze cory: prey body depth 1.6 cm ≤ mouth 6.3 cm.Avoid
- Iridescent sharkIridescent shark can eat Bronze cory: prey body depth 1.6 cm ≤ mouth 32.5 cm.Avoid
- OscarOscar can eat Bronze cory: prey body depth 1.6 cm ≤ mouth 12.3 cm.Avoid
- SeverumSeverum can eat Bronze cory: prey body depth 1.6 cm ≤ mouth 5.0 cm.Avoid
- African clawed frogAfrican clawed frog should only be kept in a single-species tank.Avoid
- Marbled crayfishMarbled crayfish should only be kept in a single-species tank.Avoid
How we check
The numbers the tank model uses for bronze corys: water as ideal and tolerated ranges, bioload from adult mass, space, flow and how they act on other species.
- Standard length
- 7.5 cm (SL)
- Adult mass
- 20.13 g
- Bioload at 25 °C
- 6.97 BU
- Min. water
- 72 L net
- Min. footprint
- 80 × 30 cm per group
- Group
- 6+ (best 8)
- Swims in
- bottom
- Flow
- low
- Body / fins
- fusiform, normal fins
- Diet type
- omnivore
- Fin nipper
- none
- Sensitive to
- copper
Sources: Seriously Fish: Corydoras aeneus · FishBase: Corydoras aeneus
Care notes
Bronze corys are found across much of South America, and several close species are probably sold under this one name. They stay near the bottom in a busy group and are among the most forgiving catfish in the hobby.
They tolerate pH 6–8 and fairly hard water, so they fit most community tanks of 20 gallons and up with a 30-inch footprint. Keep six or more over fine sand and feed sinking food of their own.
Questions
What size tank does a bronze cory need?
At least 23 gallons (72 litres of water after decor). Adults reach about 3 inches without fins.
How many bronze corys should be kept together?
Keep at least 6, ideally 8 or more: fewer feel exposed and hide or turn nippy.
What water do bronze corys need?
70–81 °F, pH 6–8 and 2–15 dGH. Bronze corys come from South America.
How long do bronze corys live?
Not well documented with good care.
What fish can live with bronze corys?
Good tank mates include Neon tetra, Harlequin rasbora, Fancy guppy, Panda corydoras and Otocinclus. Each is checked both ways for size, fin nipping, temperament, territory and shared water.