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 fish
- Lifespan
- Not well documented
Panda Corydoras care mistakes to avoid
The mistakes beginners most often make with this species.
- 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 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.
Plants that suit it
Species facts
- 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
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.
Where to buy Panda Corydoras
Stores that list it under the same scientific name as this page. We earn nothing from these links. We have not bought from them, so check each store's own terms.
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.
Complete the tank
The essentials for a small, gently filtered tank.
Tank size for this species
At least 11 US gallons (41 L), 45 x 30 cm footprint
Filter
Air-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.
Heater
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 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.