Why is my Bronze Cory darting to the surface for air?

This is completely normal behaviour. Corydoras have a specially adapted intestine that allows them to extract oxygen from atmospheric air. They will occasionally dart to the surface, take a gulp of air, and quickly swim back down.

Do Bronze Corys eat algae?

No, they are scavengers and micro-predators, not herbivores. While they will clean up uneaten fish food from the bottom of the tank, they will not clear algae from your glass or plants. They require their own dedicated sinking foods.

Why are my corydoras' barbels wearing away?

Barbel erosion is usually caused by keeping them on sharp or jagged gravel that damages their delicate mouths as they dig. It can also be caused by bacterial infections from poor water quality and a dirty substrate. Switching to fine sand and increasing water changes usually prevents further damage.

How many Bronze Corys should I keep together?

You should keep an absolute minimum of six Bronze Corys together, though more is always better. They are highly social schooling fish that rely on group numbers to feel secure. Keeping too few will result in stressed, hiding fish.

Are Albino Corys the same species as Bronze Corys?

Yes. The vast majority of albino corydoras sold in the aquarium trade are simply a colour morph of the Bronze Corydoras (Corydoras aeneus). Their care, size, and behaviour are completely identical.

FreshwaterTropicalBeginner

Bronze Cory

Corydoras aeneus

The Bronze Corydoras is a hardy, active, and peaceful shoaling catfish, making it one of the most universally beloved bottom-dwellers in the aquarium hobby.

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Ideal Conditions

Temperature: 21 – 27 °C
pH range: 6 – 8
Hardness: 2 – 15 dGH
Adult size: 5 – 7 cm
60L for a small shoal of 6: 60 litres+
Lifespan: 5 – 10 years
Diet: Omnivore
Water flow: gentle to moderate
Preferred setup: Soft sand substrate or rounded gravel is essential. Include hiding places amongst wood and plants.

About the Bronze Cory

Renowned for its adaptable nature and subtle metallic beauty, the Bronze Corydoras is a cornerstone of the freshwater hobby. Belonging to the Callichthyidae family of armoured catfish, these industrious scavengers are covered in overlapping bony plates (scutes) rather than traditional scales. While recent phylogenetic studies have proposed reclassifying the species into the genus Osteogaster, they remain universally recognised as Corydoras in the trade. They bring constant, endearing activity to the lower levels of a community aquarium.

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Is it right for your tank?

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Where Bronze Cory comes from

Native range

South America, Amazon Basin

Countries / regions

Colombia, Venezuela, Trinidad and Tobago, Brazil, Argentina

Habitat

Shallow, slow-moving rivers, streams, and flooded forests with sandy or muddy substrates and dense leaf litter.

Widely distributed east of the Andes across multiple major river systems.

Similar species

Peppered Corydoras
Corydoras paleatus
Sterbai Corydoras
Corydoras sterbai
Panda Corydoras
Corydoras panda
Emerald Brochis
Corydoras splendens

We’re adding more full species guides as the catalogue grows.

Compatible tank mates

Reviewed guidance based on this species' recorded traits.

View all compatibility

Neon Tetra
Paracheirodon innesi
Peaceful, mid-to-top dwelling fish that thrive in similar water conditions and leave the bottom tier completely to the corydoras.
Great
Harlequin Rasbora
Trigonostigma heteromorpha
An active, peaceful community species that occupies the upper water column and will not compete with the corydoras.
Great
Bristlenose Pleco
Ancistrus sp.
A peaceful algae-eater that shares the lower zones without displaying the aggression seen in larger, predatory catfish.
Great
Angelfish
Pterophyllum scalare
Adult angelfish can become highly territorial when spawning and may peck at corydoras that wander into their breeding zones.
Compatible with caution
Clown Loach
Chromobotia macracanthus
While generally peaceful, they grow very large, exhibit boisterous behaviour, and fiercely compete for bottom-dwelling food.
Compatible with caution
Oscar
Astronotus ocellatus
A large predatory cichlid that will view small corydoras as food. The corydoras' sharp pectoral spines can also fatally lodge in the Oscar's throat.
Not recommended
Red Tail Black Shark
Epalzeorhynchos bicolor
Highly territorial bottom dwellers that will relentlessly chase and stress peaceful bottom feeders like corydoras.
Not recommended

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