Henryk Niestrój, CC BY 4.0
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Bronze Corydoras
Corydoras aeneus
Also known as Bronze Cory, Osteogaster aenea
Edited by Ivan F. · Reviewed
Beginner verdict
A cheerful, armored catfish that spends its day sifting the bottom in friendly groups. It is peaceful, adapts to most tap water, and is among the easiest fish to keep. Give it fine sand or smooth gravel, a group of at least six, and sinking food, because leftovers alone are not enough.
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
Bronze Corydoras tank mates and swim zone
Bottom
Spends most of its time in this part of the tank.
Betta splendens
Hyphessobrycon amandae
Paracheirodon innesi
Trigonostigma heteromorpha
Xiphophorus maculatus
Neritina natalensis
Mikrogeophagus ramirezi
Rams want warmer water than bronze corys prefer, so a shared temperature takes some care.
Pelvicachromis pulcher
Kribs can chase corys along the bottom when guarding fry. Give both plenty of floor space.
Carinotetraodon travancoricus
Puffers may nip at the corys' barbels and fins. Watch closely and be ready to separate them.
Boraras brigittae
Bronze Corydoras is much larger than Chili Rasbora and may frighten or even eat it.
Carassius auratus
Goldfish suit cooler water and are not suited to tropical tanks, so Bronze Corydoras is a poor match.
Common tank-mate questions
Bronze Corydoras feeding and care
How to feed
- Feed sinking pellets or wafers once the lights dim, so faster fish do not take everything first.
- Add small live or frozen foods, such as bloodworms, for variety.
- Check that the food actually reaches the bottom and that every cory gets a share.
Telling males from females
Females grow larger and look rounder and broader, especially when full of eggs. Males are slimmer and smaller.
Bronze Corydoras care mistakes to avoid
- Do not keep just one or two. Bronze corys are social, and we recommend at least 6 fish.
- Avoid sharp gravel. Corys dig with their sensitive barbels, so use fine sand or smooth, rounded gravel.
- Do not rely on leftovers. They need their own sinking food, not just what falls from the top.
- Keep the substrate clean. Waste on the bottom collects right where their barbels sift for food.
- Handle with care. Corys have sharp fin spines that can snag in nets, so scoop them with a cup when you can.
Bronze 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 Bronze 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 Bronze Corydoras, up to twice its minimum volume. A kit whose heater has a fixed setting shows only when that setting is inside Bronze Corydoras's temperature range.
None of the kits we recommend fits Bronze 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 Bronze Corydoras
We have not found a store that sells Bronze 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.
Bronze Corydoras FAQ
What size tank do bronze corys need?
Seriously Fish recommends a base of 80 x 30 cm for long-term care, which is about 19 US gallons (72 liters). Floor space matters more than height for a bottom-dwelling fish.
How many bronze corys should I keep?
Keep at least 6. Seriously Fish advises a group of at least 4-6, and we use the higher number because corys act more relaxed in bigger groups.
Do bronze corys clean the tank?
Not really. They eat food that reaches the bottom, but they still produce waste, and they need their own meals. You still need regular water changes and gravel cleaning.
Why does my cory dart to the surface?
This is usually normal. Corys occasionally gulp air from the surface. If it becomes constant and frantic, test your water, because that can signal poor water quality.
Can bronze corys live with shrimp?
Yes. Bronze corys are peaceful bottom foragers and are not known to hunt adult shrimp, which makes them a good choice for a shrimp-friendly community tank.
Bronze Corydoras facts and sources
- Family
- Callichthyidae
- Native to
- South America, from Colombia and Trinidad to the La Plata basin
- 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.