Panda Corydoras
Corydoras panda
Also known as Panda Cory
Edited by Ivan F. · Reviewed
Beginner verdict
An adorable pale catfish with black eye patches, just like a panda. It is very peaceful and far more confident in a group of its own kind. It enjoys soft sand and cooler community water, and it pairs well with small tetras, rasboras and dwarf cichlids.
Care at a glance
- Min tank size
- 11 US gal
- Footprint
- 18 x 12 in
- Temperature
- 72–77 °F
- pH
- 6–7.4
- Hardness
- 1–12 dGH
- Swim zone
- Bottom
- Min group
- 6 or more
- Lifespan
- Not well documented
Panda Corydoras tank mates and swim zone
Bottom
Spends most of its time in this part of the tank.
Paracheirodon innesi
Paracheirodon axelrodi
Hyphessobrycon amandae
Hyphessobrycon herbertaxelrodi
Trigonostigma heteromorpha
Trigonostigma espei
Hemigrammus erythrozonus
Their temperature ranges barely overlap, so you will have little room for error.
Boraras brigittae
Chili Rasbora is small and shy, and is easily outcompeted for food by Panda Corydoras.
Danio margaritatus
Celestial Pearl Danio is small and shy, and is easily outcompeted for food by Panda Corydoras.
Tanichthys albonubes
Their temperature ranges barely overlap, so you will have little room for error.
Ancistrus cirrhosus
Their temperature ranges do not overlap, so one of them would always be stressed.
Mikrogeophagus ramirezi
Their temperature ranges do not overlap, so one of them would always be stressed.
Melanotaenia boesemani
Their temperature ranges do not overlap, so one of them would always be stressed.
Panda Corydoras feeding and care
How to feed
- Feed quality sinking pellets or tablets as the staple.
- Add frozen bloodworm and daphnia, and make sure food reaches the bottom.
- Feed small portions you can see finished within a couple of minutes, because overfeeding fouls the water fast.
Telling males from females
Best sexed from above: the female has a more rounded belly and is usually slightly larger.
Panda Corydoras care mistakes to avoid
- Do not buy just one or two. Keep at least 6 fish so they feel secure.
- Keep the temperature moderate. Panda corys dislike warm tropical tanks.
- Use fine sand or smooth gravel for its sensitive barbels.
- Do not house it with very large or aggressive fish.
- Check your tank before you buy. Our sourced minimum is 11 US gallons.
Panda Corydoras tank setup
The essentials for a small, gently filtered tank.
TankAt least 11 US gal (41 L), 45 x 30 cm
The smallest tank our sources give for Panda Corydoras. We list only tanks that hold this volume (allowing 10%, so a standard size counts) and have at least this much floor.
Aqueon Standard Glass Aquarium 20 Long US
Eheim clearTank 73 Spain
Why we chose these (Best 10-Gallon Fish Tank: What to Look For). Nobody here has used or tested them.
Starter kitA kit with the tank, filter and light in one box
We list only kits whose tank fits Panda Corydoras, up to twice its minimum volume. A kit whose heater has a fixed setting shows only when that setting is inside Panda Corydoras's temperature range.
Tetra Complete LED Aquarium Kit 20 Gallon US
Check the heater's setting
Tetra Starter Line LED Aquarium 54 L Spain
Heater preset to 25 °C
Tetra Starter Line LED Aquarium 80 L Spain
Heater preset to 25 °C
Why we chose these (Best Aquarium Starter Kit: What to Look For). Nobody here has used or tested them.
FilterAir-driven sponge filter
Gentle flow that small fish and long fins can handle, plus a safe home for good bacteria.
Aquarium Co-Op Coarse Sponge Filter (Small) US
Fluval AquaClear 20 Power Filter US
Tetra Brillant Filter Spain
Fluval AquaClear 20 Power Filter Spain
Why we chose these (Best Filter for a 10-Gallon Tank). Nobody here has used or tested them.
HeaterKeep it at 72–77 °F (22–25 °C)
Adjustable heater, about 5 W per gallon: 25 W at 5 gallons, 50 W at 10. Keeps a small tank stable. Adjustable models let you set the temperature your species needs. Size up for a cold room.
Fluval T50 Fully Electronic Aquarium Heater US
Aqueon Pro Adjustable Heater 50 W US
Fluval T50 Fully Electronic Aquarium Heater Spain
Eheim Thermocontrol e 50 Heater Spain
Why we chose these (Best Heater for a 10-Gallon Aquarium). 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.
SubstrateRiver sand suits it; keep the substrate very clean to protect its barbels.
We are still choosing products for this.
Hiding places and decorA natural setup uses driftwood branches, roots and dried leaves.
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 Panda 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 Panda 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.
Panda Corydoras FAQ
What size tank do Panda Corydoras need?
Our sourced minimum is 11 US gallons (41 liters), with a footprint of 45 x 30 cm. A bigger tank is always easier to keep stable.
How many Panda Corydoras should I keep?
Keep at least 6 fish. Bigger groups usually look better and behave more confidently.
What can live with Panda Corydoras?
Good matches on our list include Neon Tetra, Cardinal Tetra and Ember Tetra. Avoid Endler's Livebearer and Molly.
How long do Panda Corydoras live?
Lifespan is not well documented for this species. Stable water and a good diet help any animal live longer.
Why do panda corys swim up and down the glass?
Occasional glass surfing is normal, but constant frantic swimming can signal poor water or too small a group, so test your water first.
Panda Corydoras facts and sources
- Family
- Callichthyidae
- Native to
- Ucayali River basin, Peru
- Adult size
- 2 in (5 cm)
- Temperament
- Peaceful
- Social needs
- Schooling/Shoaling (6+)
- Diet
- Omnivore
- Water flow
- Gentle
- Substrate
- Fine Sand Required
- 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.