
Bronze Corydoras
Corydoras aeneus
Family: Callichthyidae • Origin: South America
Bronze Corydoras are the hardiest and most widely available cory species. Tolerates a wider range than other corys.
Is Bronze Corydoras Right for Your Tank?
Bronze Corydoras is an excellent choice for beginners — rated "beginner" difficulty (1/5). They're hardy, forgiving of minor water parameter fluctuations, and generally easy to feed. At just 10 gallons minimum, they work well in nano tanks and smaller setups.
With a peaceful temperament, Bronze Corydoras makes a great community fish. They coexist well with other non-aggressive species of similar size. This is a schooling species — keep at least 6 together, or they may become stressed and display abnormal behavior. Expected lifespan: 10 years with proper care.
Common Mistakes with Bronze Corydoras
Keeping fewer than 6 together
Bronze Corydoras is a schooling species — they need a group of at least 6 to feel secure. Lone or paired individuals become stressed, hide constantly, and may develop health issues or aggression.
Putting them in a tank under 10 gallons
While 10 gallons is the minimum, nano tanks require more frequent water changes and leave less room for error. A slightly larger tank (20 gal) is much more forgiving.
Care Tips
- • Hardiest cory species
- • Tolerates wider conditions than most corys
- • Sand substrate preferred
- • Keep in groups of 6+
- • Easy to breed in captivity
Feeding: Sinking pellets, wafers, frozen bloodworms.
Compatibility Notes: The hardiest cory species. Tolerates wider conditions than pandas or sterbai. Perfect beginner bottom-dweller.
Tank Setup & Water Parameters
Tank Requirements
- Minimum Tank Size
- 10 gallons
- Recommended Tank Size
- 20 gallons
- Swimming Level
- bottom
- Minimum School Size
- 6+ fish
Water Parameters
- Temperature
- 72–79°F
- pH Range
- 6–8
- Hardness (dGH)
- 5–20
- Water Type
- freshwater
Behavior & Temperament
- Temperament
- peaceful
- Aggression Level
- 1/5
- Schooling
- Yes
- Territorial
- No
- Fin Nipper
- No
- Predatory
- No
- Diet Type
- omnivore
- Growth Rate
- moderate
The hardiest cory species. Tolerates wider conditions than pandas or sterbai. Perfect beginner bottom-dweller.
Breeding
- Breeding Type
- egg layer
- Breeding Difficulty
- easy
- Lifespan
- 10 years
Ideal For
Compatible Tank Mates
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Neon Tetra
Paracheirodon innesi

Cardinal Tetra
Paracheirodon axelrodi

Ember Tetra
Hyphessobrycon amandae

Rummy Nose Tetra
Hemigrammus rhodostomus

Black Neon Tetra
Hyphessobrycon herbertaxelrodi

Serpae Tetra
Hyphessobrycon eques
Similar Species

Panda Corydoras
Corydoras panda

Julii Corydoras
Corydoras julii

Sterbai Corydoras
Corydoras sterbai

Peppered Corydoras
Corydoras paleatus