Corydoras Catfish – Behavior, Care Requirements & Species Diversity
Corydoras catfish represent one of the most essential and behaviorally fascinating groups within community freshwater aquariums.
They are valued for their peaceful nature, continuous activity, and their role as bottom-dwelling clean-up crew, making them a highly functional addition to both beginner and advanced setups.
At Simply-Aquarium, this section provides a structured overview of core care standards, species-specific considerations, and best-practice recommendations for maintaining healthy Corydoras populations.
General Characteristics
- Small, social bottom-dwellers
- Must be kept in groups of 6 individuals or more
- Highly adaptable but dependent on clean, oxygen-rich water
- Known for their constant foraging behavior and peaceful temperament
Corydoras are schooling fish and display significantly improved behavior, stress tolerance, and immunity when kept in sufficiently sized groups.
Popular Species
This section covers both classic and specialty species, including:
- Corydoras sterbai
Distinguished by orange pectoral fins and high temperature tolerance; often recommended for warmer community tanks. - Corydoras panda
Known for their striking black-on-white pattern and active swimming behavior. - C123 “Yellow Cat”
A rarer, sought-after variety recognized for its unique yellow base coloration and more delicate care requirements.
Each profile includes recommended tank size, water parameters, social behavior, and compatibility guidance.
Care Requirements
Corydoras thrive under consistent, well-managed conditions:
Substrate:
- Soft sand is highly recommended
- Sharp gravel should be avoided to prevent barbel damage
Water Quality:
- Low nitrate levels (<20 mg/L)
- Stable temperatures between 22–26°C
- Good oxygenation and moderate flow
Feeding:
- High-quality sinking pellets
- Supplemented with live or frozen foods (bloodworms, daphnia, blackworms)
- Avoid dependence on leftover food — they require targeted feeding
Behavior & Compatibility
Corydoras are highly peaceful and integrate seamlessly into most community aquariums.
They coexist well with:
- Small tetras
- Rasboras
- Dwarf shrimp species
- Small peaceful gouramis
Avoid keeping them with aggressive or bottom-territorial fish.
Breeding Notes
Some species, such as Sterbai or Panda, breed readily under the right conditions:
- Slightly cooler water changes can trigger spawning
- A high-protein diet supports conditioning
- Eggs require protection from adult fish