
Panda Corydoras
Corydoras panda
Family: Callichthyidae • Origin: South America
The Panda Cory is a charming bottom-dwelling catfish with black and white markings. One of the best community fish.
Is Panda Corydoras Right for Your Tank?
Panda 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, Panda 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 Panda Corydoras
Keeping fewer than 6 together
Panda 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
- • Keep in groups of 6+
- • Use sand substrate
- • Provide sinking food
- • Prefers cooler temperatures
- • Add driftwood for cover
Feeding: Sinking pellets, wafers, frozen bloodworms.
Compatibility Notes: Peaceful bottom-dweller. Needs sand substrate to protect barbels.
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
- 68–77°F
- pH Range
- 6–7.5
- Hardness (dGH)
- 2–12
- 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
- slow
Peaceful bottom-dweller. Needs sand substrate to protect barbels.
Breeding
- Breeding Type
- egg layer
- Breeding Difficulty
- moderate
- Lifespan
- 10 years
Ideal For
Compatible Tank Mates
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Neon Tetra
Paracheirodon innesi

Cardinal Tetra
Paracheirodon axelrodi

Ember Tetra
Hyphessobrycon amandae

Black Neon Tetra
Hyphessobrycon herbertaxelrodi

Serpae Tetra
Hyphessobrycon eques

Black Skirt Tetra
Gymnocorymbus ternetzi
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Corydoras julii

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Corydoras sterbai

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