Corydoras Care Guide (2026)

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Corydoras catfish are one of the most popular and useful freshwater fish in the hobby. They are peaceful, hardy, and spend their time patrolling the bottom of the tank — cleaning up uneaten food and adding activity to a part of the aquarium that most fish ignore. They are also schooling fish that must be kept in groups to thrive.

Corydoras at a Glance

Lifespan	5-10 years in ideal conditions
Adult size	1-3 inches depending on species
Minimum tank size	20 gallons
Minimum school size	6 (same species)
Water temperature	70-79F (21-26C)
pH	6.0-7.8
Ammonia/Nitrite	0 ppm at all times
Nitrate	Under 20 ppm
Hardness	2-12 dGH
Substrate	Soft sand or fine gravel
Social	Schooling fish; must be kept in groups of the same species
Difficulty	Beginner-friendly

Popular Corydoras Species

There are over 160 described species of corydoras. The most commonly kept include Corydoras paleatus (Peppered cory), Corydoras aeneus (Bronze cory), Corydoras sterbai (Sterba's cory), Corydoras panda (Panda cory), and Corydoras pygmaeus (Pygmy cory). Corydoras show the strongest schooling behavior with members of their own species, though different corydoras species may still interact peacefully in the same aquarium.

Tank Size and Setup

The minimum tank size for a group of corydoras is 20 gallons. Corydoras are bottom dwellers that need horizontal floor space more than tank height. Substrate is the most critical setup consideration — they use sensitive barbels to forage and sharp or coarse gravel will damage them over time. Pool filter sand and aquarium sand are both popular choices, as is very fine smooth gravel. See our Best Fish Tanks guide.

Water Parameters

Most commonly kept species do well at pH 6.0-7.8 and hardness of 2-12 dGH, temperature 70-79F. They require a fully cycled tank with ammonia and nitrite at 0 ppm. Test water weekly. See our Best Water Test Kits guide.

Schooling Behavior

Corydoras must be kept in groups of at least 6 of the same species. In a proper group they are active and social — foraging together, resting in piles, and occasionally darting to the surface to gulp air, which is normal behavior. Corydoras have a modified intestine that allows them to absorb atmospheric oxygen.

Filtration

Moderate flow with good oxygenation is ideal for corydoras. They benefit from good filtration but do not require strong current. Cover powerful filter intakes with a pre-filter sponge if necessary to prevent injury. See our Best Aquarium Filters guide.

Feeding

Corydoras are omnivorous bottom feeders. They should not be relied upon solely as a cleanup crew — they need dedicated feeding. Sinking pellets, wafers, and bottom-feeder tablets are the most appropriate primary foods. Supplement with frozen bloodworms, daphnia, and brine shrimp. Feed once daily in the evening. See our Corydoras Feeding Guide.

Tankmates

Corydoras are one of the most compatible community fish available. Good tankmates include neon tetras, guppies, rasboras, and most peaceful community fish. See our Corydoras Tankmates guide.

Common Health Problems

Barbel erosion: The most common corydoras health issue. Caused by sharp substrate or poor water quality.
Ich: White spot disease, common when stressed or chilled.
Red blotch disease: Bacterial infection causing red patches, linked to poor water quality.
Fin rot: Bacterial infection, usually secondary to water quality issues.

See our Corydoras Diseases guide.

Lifespan

Corydoras can live 5-10 years in optimal conditions. Most live 3-5 years in home aquariums. See our Corydoras Lifespan guide.