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 fish
- Lifespan
- 5–10 years
Bronze Corydoras care mistakes to avoid
The mistakes beginners most often make with this species.
- 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 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.
Plants that suit it
Species facts
- 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
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.
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.
Complete the tank
A forgiving setup with room for a small community.
Tank size for this species
At least 19 US gallons (72 L), 80 x 30 cm footprint
Filter
Hang-on-back or large sponge filter
Easy to maintain and strong enough for a community without blasting the fish.
We are still choosing products for this.
Heater
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.
We are still choosing products for this.
Water Conditioner
Dechlorinator 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
Maker's page · Sold at Kiwoko · Sold at Tiendanimal · Sold at zooplus.es
Why we chose these (Best Water Conditioner for Betta Fish). Nobody here has used or tested them.
Test Kit
Liquid 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
Maker's page · Sold at The Shrimp Farm · Sold at Bulk Reef Supply
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.
Cycle the tank before adding animals. See our guide on how to cycle a fish tank.