Panda corydoras
Corydoras panda
Friendly armoured catfish that sift the sand in groups; need soft substrate and a group of six or more.
Key facts
- Body length
- 1.6 in without fins
- Minimum tank
- 17 gallons
- Group
- 6+
- Temperament
- Peaceful
- Care level
- 2 / 5
- Lifespan
- 8–10 years
- Diet
- Sinking wafers, pellets, frozen bloodworm
- Origin
- Peru, Ucayali river basin
- Hardier than53%
- Bigger than21%
- Calmer than68%
Water: their range vs yours
Panda corydoras 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
- 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
- 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
- Blood parrot cichlidGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Bronze coryGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Tiger barbUsually fine; watch for fin nipping.Risky
- Bristlenose plecoBristlenose pleco attacks fish with a similar shape or colour: Panda corydoras.Risky
- Common plecoAmazon sailfin catfish (common pleco) attacks fish with a similar shape or colour: Panda corydoras.Risky
- DemasoniDemasoni (aggressive) will bully the peaceful Panda corydoras.Risky
- Golden mbunaGolden mbuna (aggressive) will bully the peaceful Panda corydoras.Risky
- Leopard sailfin plecoLeopard sailfin pleco attacks fish with a similar shape or colour: Panda corydoras.Risky
- Blue dolphin cichlidBlue dolphin cichlid can eat Panda corydoras: prey body depth 2.4 cm ≤ mouth 6.3 cm.Avoid
- Convict cichlidConvict cichlid can eat Panda corydoras: prey body depth 2.4 cm ≤ mouth 3.8 cm.Avoid
- DiscusPanda corys can't take discus heat.Avoid
- Firemouth cichlidFiremouth cichlid can eat Panda corydoras: prey body depth 2.4 cm ≤ mouth 3.0 cm.Avoid
- GoldfishGoldfish can eat Panda corydoras: prey body depth 2.4 cm ≤ mouth 3.0 cm.Avoid
- Iridescent sharkIridescent shark can eat Panda corydoras: prey body depth 2.4 cm ≤ mouth 32.5 cm.Avoid
How we check
The numbers the tank model uses for panda corydoras: water as ideal and tolerated ranges, bioload from adult mass, space, flow and how they act on other species.
- Standard length
- 4 cm (SL)
- Adult mass
- 1.28 g
- Bioload at 25 °C
- 1.16 BU
- Min. water
- 54 L net
- Min. footprint
- 60 × 30 cm per group
- Group
- 6+ (best 8)
- Swims in
- bottom
- Flow
- low
- Body / fins
- depressed flat, normal fins
- Diet type
- omnivore
- Fin nipper
- none
- Sensitive to
- salt
Sources: Seriously Fish: Corydoras panda
Care notes
Panda corys spend the day rooting through the substrate with their barbels, so sand or smooth gravel keeps those barbels intact.
They are shy alone and playful in a group. They clean up leftover food but still need sinking wafers of their own.
Questions
What size tank does a panda corydoras need?
At least 17 gallons (54 litres of water after decor). Adults reach about 1.6 inches without fins.
How many panda corydoras should be kept together?
Keep at least 6, ideally 8 or more: fewer feel exposed and hide or turn nippy.
What water do panda corydoras need?
72–77 °F, pH 6–7.2 and 2–12 dGH. Panda corydoras come from Peru, Ucayali river basin.
How long do panda corydoras live?
8–10 years with good care.
What fish can live with panda corydoras?
Good tank mates include Neon tetra, Harlequin rasbora, Fancy guppy, Otocinclus and Cherry shrimp. Each is checked both ways for size, fin nipping, temperament, territory and shared water.