If you want to know about the different types of corydoras catfish, then you’ve found the right article! In this article, not only will you learn about all the different types, but you’ll also learn how to care for them as well! So keep reading to find out everything you need to know!
A Quick List of the Different Corydoras Types
- Bronze/Common Corydoras (Corydoras aeneus)
- Blue Spotted (Black Sail) Corydoras (Corydoras melanistius)
- Pygmy Corydoras (Corydoras pygmaeus)
- Panda Corydoras (Corydoras panda)
- Sterba’s Corydoras (Corydoras sterbai)
- Arched (Skunk) Corydoras (Corydoras arcuatus)
- (Paletus) Peppered Corydoras (Corydoras paleatus)
- Elegant Corydoras (Corydoras elegans)
- Flagtail Corydoras (Corydoras robineae)
- Leopard Corydoras (Corydoras leopardus)
- Schwartz’s Corydoras (Corydoras schwartzi)
- Agassizi Corydoras (Corydoras agassizii)
- Albino Cory (Corydoras aeneus)
- Salt & Pepper Cory (Corydoras habrosus)
- Smudge Spot Cory (Corydoras Similis)
- Adolfo Cory (Corydoras adolfoi)
- Three Striped/False Julii Cory (Corydoras trilineatus)
- Julii Cory (Corydoras julii)
- False Bandit Cory (Corydoras melini)
- Orange Laser Cory (Corydoras sp Orange Laser)
- Banded (Barbatus) Cory (Scleromystax barbatus)
- Hognosed Brochis (Brochis multiradiatus)
- Emerald Cory (Corydoras splendens)
- Black Cory (Corydoras schultzei)
- Delphax Cory (Corydoras delphax)
- Tail Spot Cory (Corydoras hastatus)
- Shy Cory (Corydoras gracilis)
What Are the Different Types of Corydoras?
Bronze/Common Corydoras (Corydoras aeneus)
Bronze corydoras are a bronze color, as their name indicates, with two large darker patches on their dorsal side. This particular species also comes in an albino version that is pale white with red eyes.
They can be timid, so plants are essential to provide hiding places for them. Sand or rounded gravel is the best substrate to use for the bottom of the tank so as not to irritate their underbellies.
They are a very hardy species that is easy to take care of and one of the most common species of corydoras kept in aquarium tanks. They are not picky about water hardness and prefer slightly acidic and warm waters.
Bronze Corydoras do best when fed sinking catfish pellets along with live or frozen food like bloodworms, blackworms, daphnia, and brine shrimps, as well as blanched vegetables. Since they are bottom feeders, make sure that they are always getting their fill!
Bronze Corydoras are peaceful and can live peacefully with guppies, cardinal tetras, and neon tetras as tank mates, as well as species of rasbora, danio, and other species of corydoras. Adding these fish to your tank will make them happy!
| Name | Bronze/Common Corydoras |
| pH | 6.0-8.0 |
| Temperature | 68-82°F |
| Tank Size | 10 Gallons |
| Size | 2.5″ |
| Lifespan | 10 Years |
| Difficulty Keeping | Easy |
Blue Spotted (Black Sail) Corydoras (Corydoras melanistius)
Blue Spotted or black sail corydoras are white with black spots of various sizes covering its body. The dorsal fin is usually mostly black, and they sport a rounded snout. They have delicate barbels, so a fine sand substrate is preferable to avoid damaging these. They also enjoy lots of shade; thus, equipping the tank with lots of aquarium plants is a must.
They will feed on plant matter and algae that grow in the substrate, but they also like flakes and pellet fish food as well as live or frozen brine shrimp and worms. Bluespotted corydoras are also easy to manage and prefer neutral pH waters that may vary in hardness from soft to moderately hard.
Blue Spotted Corydoras are peaceful and can peacefully coexist with other small, peaceful fish. Consider adding dwarf cichlids and angelfish ,as well as tetras, rasboras and platies. Corydoras species as tank mates. Just ensure the tank mates won’t compete for food or show aggression.
| Name | Blue Spotted Corydoras |
| pH | 6.0-8.0 |
| Temperature | 72-79 °F |
| Tank Size | 20 Gallons |
| Size | 2″ |
| Lifespan | 10 – 15 Years |
| Difficulty Keeping | Easy |
Pygmy Corydoras (Corydoras pygmaeus)
As their name suggests, pygmy corydoras are among the smallest species of corydoras, reaching just over an inch in maximum length. They are grayish in color with a white over black stripe that runs the length of their sides. They are very social fish, so the more conspecifics that inhabit the tank, the happier they will be.
To create a comfortable environment for these pygmy corys in your aquarium, it’s essential to provide plenty of plants and hiding spots. They enjoy perching on anubias leaves and driftwood branches, giving them a bird’s-eye view of their surroundings.
When it comes to feeding, Pygmy Corys bottom-dwelling fish prefer sinking foods that are small or soft. Treats like frozen daphnia, cyclops, and baby brine shrimp are the perfect bite-sized options. Nano pellets, freeze-dried tubifex worm, and sinking wafers also work well.
Pygmy Corydoras will get along famously with other nano species like neon tetras, chili rasboras, celestial pearl danios, otocinclus, and even a laid-back betta fish. Rest assured, they won’t bother your snails or adult shrimp
| Name | Pygmy Corydoras |
| pH | 6.0-8.0 |
| Temperature | 72–79°F |
| Tank Size | 10 Gallons |
| Size | 1″ |
| Lifespan | 3 Years |
| Difficulty Keeping | Easy |
Panda Corydoras (Corydoras panda)
Panda corydoras are white to slightly pink with three distinctive black splotches: one around the eyes, one covering the dorsal fin, and one at the base of the tail.
Panda corys love good water quality, so keep it clean and change it regularly. Don’t forget a good filter too! Soft gravel or sand makes their home comfy, and don’t forget some cool decorations for hiding. Floating plants are a bonus if you want to give them shade.
Panda corys are bottom-feeders, gobbling up any food that falls down. In a tank with other fish, make sure they get their fair share. Sinking food tablets or pellets are perfect for them. And hey, mix it up with a varied diet! Shrimp, worms, insects—they’ll devour them all.
Panda corys are chill and get along with most fish. But stay away from the big and aggressive ones. Tiger barbs, for example, are nippy troublemakers. Stick to small to medium-sized tetras, danios, rasboras, and other cool catfish like aspidoras or different cory species.
| Name | Panda Corydoras |
| pH | 6.0-7.0 |
| Temperature | 68-77°F |
| Tank Size | 10 Gallons |
| Size | 2″ |
| Lifespan | 10 Years |
| Difficulty Keeping | Hard |
Sterba’s Corydoras (Corydoras sterbai)
Sterba’s corydoras sport a wide body that is white in color with zebra stripes made up of tiny black dots all over its body. They have a blunt snout with long barbels for digging. Since it is used to the shaded jungle riverbeds of its native Brazilian Rio Guarpore, it needs lots of aquarium plants and prefers a fine sandy substrate.
Sterba’s corydoras are slightly picky in their food selection and require high-quality flake foods in addition to frozen and live foods. They are similar to most other corydoras in that their optimal water conditions include slightly acidic to neutral pH, a range of soft to moderately hard water hardness but can tolerate much warmer temperatures than some of their corydoras counterparts.
Sterba’s Corydoras get along with most fish, except for big bullies like Oscars or Jack Dempseys. Don’t worry, though. These little armored heroes have their own protective plating, so they can hold their ground if needed.
| Name | Sterba’s Corydoras |
| pH | 6.0-7.5 |
| Temperature | 73-79°F |
| Tank Size | 20 Gallons |
| Size | 2.6″ |
| Lifespan | 10-15 Years |
| Difficulty Keeping | Easy |
Arched (Skunk) Corydoras (Corydoras arcuatus)
Arched or skunk corydoras are white with a dull black stripe that extends from the snout, encompassing the eye, and over the dorsal side all the way back to the tail. It is easy to tell if these fish are stressed because the black stripe pales. They have a very rounded snout with long barbels.
Skunk Corys love exploring the tank bottom, so go for smooth sand or small gravel as substrate. They’ll happily sift through it, hunting for tasty leftovers. Add taller live plants that won’t interfere with their foraging. Low, dense plants can get tangled.
Sinking food tablets or pellets are perfect for your Skunk Corys. And hey, mix it up with a varied diet! Shrimp, worms, insects—they’ll devour them all. Their favorites are bloodworms, brine shrimp, and daphnia.
Skunk Corys are peaceful and get along with all community fish. Provide hiding spots among plants and rocks. Avoid bullying them. Good tankmates include Plecostomus, Zebra Danio, White Cloud Mountain Minnow, and small schooling fish.
| Name | Arched Corydoras |
| pH | 6.5-7.0 |
| Temperature | 72-81°F |
| Tank Size | 15 Gallons |
| Size | 2-3″ |
| Lifespan | 5-8 Years |
| Difficulty Keeping | Moderate |
(Paletus) Peppered Corydoras (Corydoras paleatus)
Peppered corydoras is a light dull green with random splotches of dark green all over its body. The fins are usually clear, with the tail sporting faint spots, and males possess a more pointed and larger dorsal fin than females. They are bottom dwellers that prefer lots of aquarium plants and require a fine sandy substrate so as not to damage their delicate barbels.
Sinking food pellets and frequent feedings of frozen or live insect larvae, worms, and shrimp make up a well-balanced diet for peppered corydoras. They prefer softer water and slightly acidic waters but can tolerate smaller tank sizes than other corydoras because they generally do not grow larger than two inches in length.
| Name | Peppered Corydoras |
| pH | 6.0-7.0 |
| Temperature | 72-79°F |
| Tank Size | 20 Gallons |
| Size | 2.5″ |
| Lifespan | 3-5 Years |
| Difficulty Keeping | Moderate |
Elegant Corydoras (Corydoras elegans)
Elegant corydoras sport silver bodies with black designed patterns unique to each fish. Females are slightly rounder than males in order to accommodate egg-bearing.
Elegant Corydoras like to hang out in the middle and bottom of the tank, unlike other Corydoras. They need a soft sand substrate to protect their delicate barbels. So, keep the tank clean with regular water changes and provide hiding spots with driftwood, rocks, and plants.
For feeding, sinking catfish pellets are a suitable option for your Elegant Corydoras, along with frozen foods like bloodworms, white mosquito larvae, and vitamin-enriched brine shrimp. These choices ensure a balanced diet for the species.
When it comes to tank mates, it is advisable to choose peaceful species for your Elegant Corydoras, such as rasboras, Bamboo Shrimp, and fan-feeding shrimp like Vampire Shrimp. These compatible tank mates will create a harmonious environment for the species.
| Name | Elegant Corydoras |
| pH | 6.0-8.0 |
| Temperature | 72-79°F |
| Tank Size | 20 Gallons |
| Size | 2.5″ |
| Lifespan | 10 Years |
| Difficulty Keeping | Easy |
Flagtail Corydoras (Corydoras robineae)
Flagtail corydoras are white with black stripes and especially notable horizontal striping patterns on their tails – hence their name.
Taking care of your flagtail cory fish is a breeze if you keep up with regular maintenance. Don’t forget to do those partial water changes to keep them in tip-top shape! You should also Give them some cool hiding spots like bogwood and densely planted areas.
Your flagtail corys will eat up sinking catfish pellets or granules, tropical fish flakes, and even frozen treats like bloodworms, mosquito larvae, brine shrimp, and blanched vegetables
To ensure that your Flagtail Cory’s happy, make sure you’re keeping them with other peaceful fish, like small tetras, rasboras, dwarf gouramis and dwarf cichlids. Also, make sure to keep them in groups. They thrive when surrounded by their buddies, and do best in groups of 5-6.
| Name | Flagtail Corydoras |
| pH | 6.0-7.5 |
| Temperature | 71-78°F |
| Tank Size | 20 Gallons |
| Size | 2″ |
| Lifespan | 10 Years |
| Difficulty Keeping | Easy-Moderate |
Leopard Corydoras (Corydoras leopardus)
Leopard corydoras are silver-white with black leopard-like markings all over its body. It has a very rounded, blunt snout with small barbels.
Leopard Corys feel right at home in an aquarium that mimics their natural habitat. Think sandy substrate, fallen leaves, and plenty of shady spots. They’ll be overjoyed with driftwood, rocky caves, and lush vegetation. It’s like a jungle paradise for them!
When it comes to Leopard Corys’ diet, meaty foods take the spotlight, but don’t forget to throw in some plant-based pellets or flakes for balance. They’ll love freeze-dried bloodworms, black worms, sinking pellets, shrimp pellets, and more. They’ll even snack on algae and decaying plants!
Your Leopard Corys with get along well with other Leopard Corys, but they’ll also get along swimmingly with different Corys. As for tankmates, they’re cool with a wide range of peaceful fish, from tiny tetras, rasboras, and barbs to bigger yet chill cichlids like Geophagus, Blue Acara, and Severum.
| Name | Leopard Corydoras |
| pH | 6.0-7.5 |
| Temperature | 70-79°F |
| Tank Size | 15 Gallons |
| Size | 2.3″ |
| Lifespan | 5 Years |
| Difficulty Keeping | Moderate |
Schwartz’s Corydoras (Corydoras schwartzi)
Schwartz’s corydoras are pale in color with black stripes made of varying size spots that run laterally down their bodies. Their fins are clear, and snouts are rounded, with prominent white barbels.
It is best to imitate their Amazonian origins by filling the bottom of the tank with sandy substrate and adorning it with leaf litter and driftwood. This species is not used to aquatic plants, so sticking with free-floating forms of shelter is preferable. And make sure to keep up with regular maintenance to ensure these fish stay in top-notch condition.
Schwartz’s Corys will happily munch on sinking algae pellets, flake food, and other sinking options like catfish pellets. But watch out, these little guys have a carnivorous side and go crazy for treats like Bloodworm and Brine Shrimp. Vegetable-based foods don’t do much for them, though.
Schwartz’s Corys are super peaceful and make great tank mates. They get along swimmingly with gentle fish like Tetras, Swordtails, Guppies, and Dwarf Cichlids. Just remember to steer clear of pairing them with large predators like cichlids or Oscars.
| Name | Schwartz’s Corydoras |
| pH | 6.0-7.5 |
| Temperature | 72-75°F |
| Tank Size | 20 Gallons |
| Size | 2.5-3″ |
| Lifespan | 3-5 Years |
| Difficulty Keeping | Easy |
Agassizi Corydoras (Corydoras agassizii)
Agassizi corydoras are silvery white with a distinctive black spotted pattern that groups spots on the dorsal side and creates a lateral line running through the middle of the body from operculum to tail. The fins are clear, but the tail also sports black-spotted lines.
Agassiz’s Cory is a laid-back catfish that loves chilling at the bottom of the tank. They’re a perfect fit for mature community setups. Use soft sand as substrate and create shady spots with bogwood and dense planting. Oh, and don’t forget to keep the water clean with regular partial water changes.
This species loves to eat sinking algae pellets as well as flake food, but their diet should also be supplemented with live brine shrimp and bloodworms. They thrive in slightly acidic waters that vary in hardness from soft to moderately hard with temperatures in the warmer range.
being peaceful fish, Your Agassizis Corys are going to be okay with all manner of fish including pencilfish, dwarf cichlids, rasboras, or little barbs, snails, and shrimp. And, remember, you should also keep them with other’s of their own kind in schools of 5-6 or more.
| Name | Agassizi Corydoras |
| pH | 6.0-8.0 |
| Temperature | 72-79°F |
| Tank Size | 20 Gallons |
| Size | 2.25″ |
| Lifespan | 3-5 Years |
| Difficulty Keeping | Moderate |
Albino Cory (Corydoras aeneus)
Albino Corys are active and social fish that thrive in an aquarium with rockwork for algae growth and hiding spots. Make sure to use fine gravel or sand, and keep it clean to prevent illness. Also, keep in mind that proper filtration is necessary to prevent toxic water conditions in their tank.
Albino Corys require a tank with algae as their primary food source, but because they’re omnivores, offer them a varied diet including high-quality sinking pellets, flakes, and frozen or live foods like bloodworms and brine shrimp. Also, give them vegetables such as blanched spinach or zucchini.
Albino Corys are compatible with peaceful and non-aggressive fish species like small tetras, rasboras, and livebearers. Avoid aggressive or fin-nipping tank mates to ensure a harmonious environment.
| Name | Albino Corydoras |
| pH | 6.0-8.0 |
| Temperature | 72-79°F |
| Tank Size | 20 Gallons |
| Size | 2.5-3″ |
| Lifespan | 2-3 Years |
| Difficulty Keeping | Easy |
Salt & Pepper Cory (Corydoras habrosus)
To keep your Salt and Pepper Corydoras happy, start with a clean tank and a good filter. As for the substrate, fine sand resembling their natural habitat or smooth gravel, so keep that in mind! Also, make sure to decorate their tank with caves, driftwood, and plants for hiding spots.
Salt and Pepper Corydoras are omnivores, so they enjoy a mix of sinking dried foods and small live/frozen treats like bloodworms or Tubifex. A varied diet keeps them in top shape. Just remember, don’t expect them to survive on leftovers or rely on them as the “clean-up crew” in the tank.
Your Salt and Pepper Corydoras get along well with tetras, danios, and certain small cichlids as tank mates. They’re calm, peaceful fish that rarely show aggression towards each other, even during mating. And they do best in groups of 5 or more
| Name | Salt & Pepper Corydoras |
| pH | 6.2-7.2 |
| Temperature | 72-79°F |
| Tank Size | 10 Gallons |
| Size | 1.4″ |
| Lifespan | 5 Years |
| Difficulty Keeping | Moderate |
Smudge Spot Cory (Corydoras Similis)
Smudge spot Cory’s loves sandy bottoms and enjoys being surrounded by aquatic plants like water hyacinths, anubias, and java fern. They are curious explorers, often found among submerged leaves or seeking shelter beneath floating plants when they’re not feeding near the water’s surface.
Smudge Spot Cory’s have a strong preference for foods rich in protein. While they are not the best at cleaning algae, they enjoy having a varied diet. To keep them in top shape, it’s best to feed them sinking pellets, wafers, and occasional live or frozen treats.
Because smudge spot cory’s are so peaceful like other cory’s, you can keep them with most community fish. Swordtails, tetras, rasboras, danios and livebearers are all great choices!
| Name | Smudge Spot Corydoras |
| pH | 5.5-7.5 |
| Temperature | 68-81°F |
| Tank Size | 15 Gallons |
| Size | 2.4″ |
| Lifespan | 3-5 Years |
| Difficulty Keeping | Easy-Moderate |
Adolfo Cory (Corydoras adolfoi)
Adolfo Cory’s are bottom-dwellers which prefers small-grained sand as the ideal substrate but can also adapt to small-sized gravels or basalt. Adding shelters like snags, dry leaves, or coconut shells to the tank creates a natural environment for these catfish.
Adolfo Corys enjoy a diverse diet of frozen, live, and artificial food, so make sure to include specialised catfish pellets. Because they’re shy eaters providing food after turning off the light can help them feel more comfortable when they’re eating.
Because they’re shy, you should put adolfo catfish with other peaceful fish. So try non aggressive tetras like glowlight tetras or neon tetras, small rasboras, other cory’s and livebearer’s for the best result!
| Name | Adolfo Corydoras |
| pH | 4.0-7.0 |
| Temperature | 68-79°F |
| Tank Size | 20 Gallons |
| Size | 2.2″ |
| Lifespan | 5 Years |
| Difficulty Keeping | Easy-Moderate |
Three Striped/False Julii Cory (Corydoras trilineatus)
False Juliis are low-maintenance and adaptable to various water conditions, from slightly acidic to slightly alkaline. However, they require a well-maintained tank with good filtration and regular water changes to truly thrive. Soft substrates like sand or smooth gravel are ideal, along with plenty of hiding spots.
When it comes to food, feed your Julii Cory’s sinking catfish tablets and pellets as the main staple of their diet. And for some extra treats, feed them live food like brine shrimp, daphnia, and bloodworms.
False Julii Corys are the very social, and once again able to be put with most other fish. Small tetras, danios, rasboras, and dwarf cichlids are all great choices. Just keep any big bullies or aggressive fish out of the tank. It’s also best to keep them in groups of 5 or more.
| Name | False Julii Corydoras |
| pH | 6.0-8.0 |
| Temperature | 73-79°F |
| Tank Size | 30 Gallons |
| Size | 2.5″ |
| Lifespan | 5 Years |
| Difficulty Keeping | Easy |
Julii Cory (Corydoras julii)
Juliis are undemanding and tolerate a range of water parameters. The Water can be slightly acidic to slightly alkaline, with soft to medium-hard water hardness. However, they are sensitive to poorly maintained tanks, so their water must be well-filtered, oxygenated, and changed regularly.
The julii cory is an opportunistic eater, consuming anything that sinks to the bottom. To ensure they receive enough food, use sinking pellets as their main diet and supplement with live foods like brine shrimp and daphnia. Also, feed them before turning off the lights, as they are nocturnal.
Like other Corydoras species, the julii cory is a social fish that thrives in a group of four or more. They enjoy the company of small catfish and peaceful fish like tetras, danios, rasboras, dwarf cichlids, and other community fish. Just remember to steer clear of large or aggressive tankmates.
| Name | Julii Corydoras |
| pH | 6.5-7.8 |
| Temperature | 72-79°F |
| Tank Size | 10 Gallon |
| Size | 2.5″ |
| Lifespan | 5-7 Years |
| Difficulty Keeping | Easy |
False Bandit Cory (Corydoras melini)
When it comes to setting up a home for bandit corydoras, keep in mind that these little fellows love to dig through the gravel in search of food, so choose a substrate that won’t harm their sensitive barbels. Opt for sand or smooth-edged dark gravel to create a safe environment. And don’t forget to add plenty of plants like anubias and java moss.
Keep your Bandit Corys happy with flakes, sinking pellets, and tablets as their primary diet. Add variety with brine shrimp, daphnia, and bloodworms. Occasionally treat them to live food and supplement their diet with sinking catfish pellets and vitamin-enriched brine shrimp.
Your Bandit Corys’ friendly nature makes them compatible with peaceful fish like Otocinclus Catfish, Tetras, Swordtails and of course other Corys. But, be cautious of aggressive or bullying fish!
| Name | Bandit Corydoras |
| pH | 6.5-7.5 |
| Temperature | 72-79°F |
| Tank Size | 10 Gallons |
| Size | 2″ |
| Lifespan | 3-5 Years |
| Difficulty Keeping | Easy-Moderate |
Orange Laser Cory (Corydoras sp Orange Laser)
Creating a comfortable habitat for the Orange Laser Cory is a breeze. They’re not demanding at all. A well-maintained tank with a variety of hiding spots, like cozy caves and lush plants, will make them feel right at home. But don’t forget to keep their water quality in check!
Your Orange Laser Corys are not afraid to indulge in a variety of foods. Serve up some high-quality pellets, flakes, and occasional treats like frozen or live snacks. Oh, and don’t forget to add some sinking pellets to ensure these bottom dwellers are being fed enough.
Orange laser cory’s are peaceful fish that do best with other peaceful fish. Aim to keep them with fish, like tetras, Dwarf Gouramis, and Rasboras as well as shrimp and snails.
| Name | Orange Laser Corydoras |
| pH | 6.0-7.0 |
| Temperature | 72-78°F |
| Tank Size | 30 Gallons |
| Size | 2.5″ |
| Lifespan | 5 Years |
| Difficulty Keeping | Easy |
Banded (Barbatus) Cory (Scleromystax barbatus)
Creating a comfortable habitat for your Barbatus Cory is key for their happiness. Start with a fine-grained substrate that mimics their natural riverbeds. Add some driftwood, rocks, and live plants to create hiding spots and a natural feel. Remember, giving them places to hide is vital for their happiness.
Your Barbarus Cory will be really happy if you feed them with sinking pellets or granules designed for bottom-dwelling fish as the staple of their diet. Supplement with live or frozen foods like bloodworms, brine shrimp, and daphnia for added nutrients and variety.
Barbatus Cory thrive in the company of peaceful tank mates. Consider adding companions such as Neon Tetras, Harlequin Rasboras, Honey Gouramis, Kuhli Loaches, or Cherry Shrimp. These compatible tank mates will surely create a harmonious and lively community in your aquarium!
| Name | Banded (Barbatus) Corydoras |
| pH | 5.5-7.5 |
| Temperature | 65-79°F |
| Tank Size | 30 Gallons |
| Size | 4″ |
| Lifespan | 5 Years |
| Difficulty Keeping | Easy |
Hognosed Brochis (Brochis multiradiatus)
Creating a comfortable habitat for your Hognose Brochis is key to their happiness. Start with a spacious tank—And remember, bigger is always better. Add some hiding spots with rocks, caves, and plants. Oh, and don’t forget to set up a sandy substrate, because they just love sifting through it!
Hognosed Brochis are not picky eaters! They enjoy a variety of food options. In the wild, they munch on worms, benthic crustaceans, insects, and plant matter. In your aquarium, they’ll happily devour a mix of dried, live, and frozen foods, and sinking catfish pellets, granules, or wafers.
For compatible tankmates, consider peaceful tetras like Neon Tetras, Ember Tetras, or Rummy Nose Tetras. Playful Corydoras catfish, such as Bronze or Panda Corydoras, are great too. Elegant Harlequin Rasboras can also add finesse. Together, they create a harmonious and captivating aquatic community.
| Name | Hognosed Brochis |
| pH | 6.0-7.5 |
| Temperature | 70-75°F |
| Tank Size | 30 Gallons |
| Size | 2.6″ |
| Lifespan | 5-8 Years |
| Difficulty Keeping | Easy |
Emerald Cory (Corydoras splendens)
By creating a tank environment that closely resembles your Emerald Green Cory’s natural habitat, complete with soft sand substrate, hiding spots, and live plants like Cryptocoryne or Vallisneria for a nice natural touch, you’ll give these cory’s everything they need.
Feed your emerald green cory’s sinking pellets or granules designed for bottom-dwelling fish. Give them occasional treats of frozen or live foods like blackworms or brine shrimp. And remember to feed them small portions multiple times a day.
Your Emerald Green Corys do best with peaceful tank mates like Ember Tetras or Harlequin Rasboras. They will create a lively and harmonious community in your tank. However, avoid fin-nipping species to ensure a stress-free environment for your Emerald Green Cory.
| Name | Emerald Green Corydoras |
| pH | 5.8-8.0 |
| Temperature | 68-82°F |
| Tank Size | 30 Gallons |
| Size | 3″ |
| Lifespan | 5 Years |
| Difficulty Keeping | Easy |
Black Cory (Corydoras schultzei)
Having a good filtration system is crucial for your Black Cory’s health. Just remember to match the filtration system to your tank size. Also, Black Venezuela Corydoras prefer dim light, so go for low-light plants like java fern or floating plants like frogbit, to make sure everything in the tank thrives.
Black Corydoras will eat anything small and soft, so feed them live blackworms, frozen bloodworm snacks, and catfish pellets like Hikari Vibra Bites, Nutrafin Max tablets or other pellets and wafers.
The Black Cory Catfish gets along with most small fish and like Neon Tetras, Phantom Tetras, Mollies, Black Widow Tetras, and Freshwater Shrimp. Make sure you’re keeping them in schools of 5 or more to ensure they’re truly happy.
| Name | Black Cory/Black Venezuela Cory |
| pH | 6.0-7.5 |
| Temperature | 72-82°F |
| Tank Size | 15 Gallons |
| Size | 2.4″ |
| Lifespan | 5-10 Years |
| Difficulty Keeping | Easy |
Delphax Cory (Corydoras delphax)
Delphax Corydoras thrive in tanks with abundant hiding spots. These curious creatures enjoy exploring their surroundings and value a serene environment. So, it’s important to maintain clean water and make sure the water quality is high.
Delphax Corys have a diverse diet consisting of sinking pellets and live or frozen food. They also relish the occasional treat of algae wafers or veggies. To ensure their well-being, offer them a varied and balanced diet.
Delphax Corys are peaceful by nature and can live harmoniously with other small, peaceful fish species. Consider adding tetras, pencilfish, and other small catfish as tank mates.
| Name | Delphax Corydoras |
| pH | 6.5-7.5 |
| Temperature | 72 -79°F |
| Tank Size | 20 Gallons |
| Size | 2-3″ |
| Lifespan | 10-15 Years |
| Difficulty Keeping | Easy-Moderate |
Tail Spot Cory (Corydoras hastatus)
Tail Spot Corydoras are lively little fish that appreciate tanks with fine sand habitats or rounded gravel. As active bottom-dwellers, they require ample space to explore their surroundings. It’s essential to maintain a consistently clean tank and ensuring the water quality remains good at all times.
Your Tail spot corys are omnivores with hearty appetites, so make sure you’re feeding them algae wafers, catfish pellets, live and frozen food, and blanched vegetables.
Tail Spot Corys are peace-loving and can happily cohabitate with other small, peaceful fish. Try micro Rasboras, small Danios, and shrimp and other cory’s as tank mates. Avoid bullies, as they can intimidate and attack your corys.
| Name | Tail Spot Corydoras |
| pH | 6.0-8.0 |
| Temperature | 72-79°F |
| Tank Size | 10 Gallons |
| Size | 1.6″ |
| Lifespan | 3-5 Years |
| Difficulty Keeping | Easy-Moderate |
Shy Cory (Corydoras gracilis)
Shy Corydoras, true to their name, thrive in tanks with sandy substrates and ample hiding spots. They appreciate calm and peaceful environments where they can feel secure. It’s essential to maintain clean water and prevent water fluctuations.
Shy cory’s are omnivorous eaters, eagerly consuming leftover flakes or pellets. But you should also make sure you’re feeding them bottom feeder pellets to ensure their diet is complete. And of course, give them plenty of blanched veggies and live food to keep them happy as well.
Shy Corydoras are excellent bottom dwellers and will surely live with other non-aggressive fish species. Examples of best tank mates are small tetras, rasboras, or other livebearer species as their tank mates. Just make sure the tank mates won’t intimidate or stress them.
| Name | Shy Corydoras |
| pH | 6.0-8.0 |
| Temperature | 68-78°F |
| Tank Size | 15 Gallons |
| Size | 2″ |
| Lifespan | 10 Years |
| Difficulty Keeping | Moderate |
FAQs
How Many Species of Corydoras Are There?
To date, there are over 170 named species of corydoras, the freshwater catfish. There are most likely more species that are yet to be named, however, due to the prevalence of this family of fishes throughout South America. It is thought that there are at least 100 species that have been discovered but not yet identified.
Can You Keep Different Corydoras Together?
Corydoras are a fairly non-aggressive type of fish and will cohabitate with corydoras from different species. However, they will not school together, so it’s important to have at least two of each kind so that a singular species does not stress out from lack of socialization. It is also important to have an aquarium tank large enough for each species to school separately.
What Are the Best Corydoras?
The best corydoras to purchase for your aquarium are ones that can withstand a wide range of water parameters, are easy to care for, and are not picky in their diets. Bronze and peppered corydoras are two of the most commonly kept species because of their low maintenance.
Pygmy corydoras are also very easy to care for, considering their small size, as long as you keep them in larger numbers.
Which Corydoras Are the Most Expensive?
The most expensive corydoras species are the rarest ones to find in the wild, including Evelyn’s corydoras, Panzerwels corydoras, and the Peru Black corydoras. They do not show up in the ornamental fish market too often and are sold fairly quickly because of their high demand.
Do Corydoras Clean the Tank?
Corydoras are bottom feeders that will eat algae growing on the substrate as well as uneaten food particles that sink to the bottom of the tank. They are very efficient tank cleaners as such, and some even go so far as to “dig” through the substrate to acquire fallen bits of leftover food.
How Many Corydoras Should Be Kept Together?
Corydoras are very social within their own species, and it’s best to have at least five individuals per species kept in a tank. They tend to school with their own species and can become stressed out if they are left without conspecifics. Ensuring enough space for all the corydoras you may house is also important to prevent overcrowding.
(Find out about 12 more great aquarium catfish.)
Recap
Corydoras come in many different varieties; in fact, there are over 170 named species and at least 100 more yet to be named. They all hail from South America, and most tend to prefer slightly acidic to neutral pH, warmer water temperatures, and soft to moderately hard water hardness. Most species enjoy having shelter spots provided by floating driftwood and leaf litter or rooted aquarium plants.
Since corydoras are social beings, it is best to keep at least five of each species you choose to purchase and be sure to provide additional nutrition on top of the algae and leftover food they’ll scavenge from the bottom of the tank. All in all, this family of freshwater catfish is fairly low maintenance and will help you keep your aquarium tank clean.