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Corydoras Catfish
Corydoras aeneus
A peaceful, armored bottom-dweller that sweeps the tank floor — happiest in schools of six or more.
2–3 in5–10 years
Habitat
Enclosure
20 gal minimum · schools of 6+
Temperature
72–78°F
Humidity / Water
Freshwater · pH 6.5–7.5
Heating & lighting
Gentle heater with a thermometer; sand or very smooth gravel — sharp gravel wears down their sensitive barbels.
Diet
Feed these
- Sinking wafers and pellets
- Frozen bloodworms
- Brine shrimp
- Blanched zucchini
Never feed
- Sharp gravel (worn barbels)
- Food that never reaches the bottom
- Salt treatments — cories are sensitive
- Copper-based medications
Feed sinking foods daily — they can't compete at the surface. A group of six beats a lone 'cleaner fish' every time.
Cohabitation
Can live with
Neon tetras Guppies Harlequin rasboras Betta — in large calm tanks Other corydoras — schools of 6+
Never house with
Oscar and other large cichlids — eaten Aggressive or nipping fish
Gentle community fish that forage the bottom all day. Keep them in groups — lone cories hide and stop eating.
