Albino Corydoras
Corydoras aeneus (albino)
Also known as Albino Cory, White Cory
Edited by Ivan F. · Reviewed
Beginner verdict
A pale, pink-eyed form of the bronze cory that is just as tough and friendly. It sifts the bottom in busy groups, gets along with nearly every peaceful fish, and adapts to most tap water. A superb first catfish, as long as it gets food of its own.
Care at a glance
- Min tank size
- 19 US gal
- Footprint
- 31 x 12 in
- Temperature
- 70–81 °F
- pH
- 6–8
- Hardness
- 2–15 dGH
- Swim zone
- Bottom
- Min group
- 6 or more
- Lifespan
- 5–10 years
Albino Corydoras tank mates and swim zone
Bottom
Spends most of its time in this part of the tank.
Paracheirodon innesi
Paracheirodon axelrodi
Hyphessobrycon herbertaxelrodi
Hemigrammus erythrozonus
Trigonostigma heteromorpha
Trigonostigma espei
Hyphessobrycon amandae
Albino Corydoras is much larger than Ember Tetra and may frighten or even eat it.
Boraras brigittae
Albino Corydoras is much larger than Chili Rasbora and may frighten or even eat it.
Danio margaritatus
Albino Corydoras is much larger than Celestial Pearl Danio and may frighten or even eat it.
Tanichthys albonubes
Their temperature ranges barely overlap, so you will have little room for error.
Carassius auratus
Goldfish suit cooler water and are not suited to tropical tanks, so Albino Corydoras is a poor match.
Common tank-mate questions
Albino Corydoras feeding and care
How to feed
- Feed sinking pellets or wafers once the lights dim.
- Add small frozen foods, such as bloodworms, for variety.
- Feed small portions you can see finished within a couple of minutes, because overfeeding fouls the water fast.
Telling males from females
Females grow larger and look rounder and broader when mature, especially when full of eggs.
Albino Corydoras care mistakes to avoid
- Do not buy just one or two. Keep at least 6 fish so they feel secure.
- Avoid sharp gravel, because it digs with sensitive barbels.
- Do not use very bright light without cover, as albino fish can be sensitive to it.
- Do not rely on leftovers. It needs its own sinking food every day.
- Check your tank before you buy. Our sourced minimum is 19 US gallons.
Albino Corydoras tank setup
A forgiving setup with room for a small community.
TankAt least 19 US gal (72 L), 80 x 30 cm
The smallest tank our sources give for Albino Corydoras. We list only tanks that hold this volume (allowing 10%, so a standard size counts) and have at least this much floor.
None of the tanks we recommend is big enough for this species yet. See Best 20-Gallon Fish Tank: 20 Long or 29? for what to look for.
Starter kitA kit with the tank, filter and light in one box
We list only kits whose tank fits Albino Corydoras, up to twice its minimum volume. A kit whose heater has a fixed setting shows only when that setting is inside Albino Corydoras's temperature range.
None of the kits we recommend fits Albino Corydoras yet. See Best Aquarium Starter Kit: What to Look For for what to look for.
FilterHang-on-back or large sponge filter
Easy to maintain and strong enough for a community without blasting the fish.
Seachem Tidal 55 Power Filter US
Marineland Penguin PRO 175 Power Filter US
Eheim LiBERTY 130 Hang-on Filter Spain
Seachem Tidal 35 Power Filter Spain
Why we chose these (Best Filter for a 20 to 29-Gallon Tank). Nobody here has used or tested them.
HeaterKeep it at 70–81 °F (21–27 °C)
Adjustable heater, about 5 W per gallon: 100 W at 20 gallons, about 150 W at 29. Enough power to hold a stable temperature in most homes. Size up for a cold room.
Aqueon Pro Adjustable Heater 100 W US
Aqueon Submersible Glass Heater 100 W US
Eheim Thermocontrol e 100 Heater Spain
Tetra HT 100 Electronic Heater Spain
Why we chose these (Best Heater for a 20 to 29-Gallon Tank). Nobody here has used or tested them.
Water conditionerDechlorinator such as Seachem Prime
Tap water contains chlorine or chloramine that harms fish.
Seachem Prime US
Fritz Complete Water Conditioner US
API Betta Water Conditioner US
sera aquatan Spain
Tetra AquaSafe Spain
Sold at Kiwoko · Sold at Tiendanimal · Sold at zooplus.es · Maker's details
Why we chose these (Best Water Conditioner for Betta Fish). Nobody here has used or tested them.
Test kitLiquid kit such as API Freshwater Master
Tracks ammonia, nitrite, nitrate and pH while the tank cycles.
API Freshwater Master Test Kit US
API General & Carbonate Hardness Test Kit US
See it at The Shrimp Farm (a retailer; affiliate link) · Sold at Bulk Reef Supply · Maker's details
sera aqua-test box (Cl) Spain
JBL PROAQUATEST COMBISET Plus NH4 Spain
Why we chose these (Best Test Kit for a Freshwater Aquarium). Nobody here has used or tested them.
SubstrateFine sand is ideal; clean, rounded gravel is an acceptable second choice.
We are still choosing products for this.
Hiding places and decorSome cover should be provided so the fish feel secure.
We are still choosing products for this.
PlantsMostly safe with live plants
Cycle the tank before adding animals. See our guide on how to cycle a fish tank.
Where to buy Albino Corydoras
Stores that list it under the same scientific name as this page. Links marked as affiliate links may earn us a commission. We have not bought from them, so check each store's own terms.
See it at The Shrimp Farm (a retailer; affiliate link)
We have not found a store that sells Albino Corydoras under its scientific name yet. We add stores as we confirm them.
Live animals and plants travel by courier. Check the store's live-arrival guarantee, and only buy once your tank has cycled (see how to cycle a fish tank).
Some US states restrict certain species. Check our US state aquarium rules table and your state's own rules before you buy.
Albino Corydoras FAQ
What size tank do Albino Corydoras need?
Our sourced minimum is 19 US gallons (72 liters), with a footprint of 80 x 30 cm. A bigger tank is always easier to keep stable.
How many Albino Corydoras should I keep?
Keep at least 6 fish. Bigger groups usually look better and behave more confidently.
What can live with Albino Corydoras?
Good matches on our list include Neon Tetra, Cardinal Tetra and Black Neon Tetra. Avoid Goldfish.
How long do Albino Corydoras live?
Care guides report about 5–10 years. Stable water and a good diet make the biggest difference.
Are albino corys a separate species?
No. They are an albino form, most commonly of the bronze cory, so care is the same as for that species.
Albino Corydoras facts and sources
- Family
- Callichthyidae
- Native to
- Aquarium-bred form of a South American species
- Adult size
- 3 in (7.5 cm)
- Temperament
- Peaceful
- Social needs
- Schooling/Shoaling (6+)
- Diet
- Omnivore
- Water flow
- Moderate
- Substrate
- Smooth Gravel
- Live plants
- Mostly Safe
- Shrimp
- 100% Safe
- Fin nipping
- None
- Vulnerable to nippers
- No
- Breeding
- Moderate
Sources
- Seriously Fish: Tank size, water ranges and behavior
- FishBase: Cross-check of water ranges and size
Lifespans are approximate and come from aquarium care guides, because these databases rarely publish them.
Where sources differ, we show the Seriously Fish aquarium figures.
Spotted something wrong? Report a parameter correction. For a sick fish, see our veterinary disclaimer.