Corydoras Catfish
A peaceful bottom-dweller that helps keep leftover food in check. Corydoras are social and do best in groups on soft substrate, in a clean and stable community tank.
tankSize
60L (15 gal) minimum for a small group
careLevel
Beginner to Intermediate
temperature
22 to 26C
temperament
Peaceful
diet
Sinking pellets, wafers, plus occasional frozen foods
lifespan
5 to 10 years
aloneOrCommunity
Community (group of 6+ recommended)
weeklyMaintenance
Partial water changes and gentle substrate cleaning
Best for
- Community tanks that want a peaceful bottom fish
- Owners who like social group behavior
- People willing to keep a group rather than one
- Homes that can maintain clean water and soft substrate
Not ideal for
- Tanks with sharp gravel (can damage barbels)
- Very small tanks without floor space
- Aggressive tank mates
- Owners who want a single 'centerpiece' fish
Temperament
- Gentle and social
- Most confident in a group
- Enjoys exploring and foraging
Daily routine
feeding: Feed sinking foods once daily, plus small supplemental feedings if needed.
check: Watch for active foraging and normal breathing.
enrichment: Provide hiding spots and keep substrate soft and clean.
Living fit
smallHome: Works well in a modest community tank with enough footprint.
kids: Great for observation and learning that fish need species-appropriate environments.
firstTimeOwner: Good if you understand group needs and substrate choices.
Health notes
- Soft substrate and clean water help prevent barbel damage.
- Avoid sudden water changes and keep parameters stable.
- Quarantine new fish when possible.
Cost and time
time: Low daily time, weekly maintenance required.
cost: Moderate setup. Group fish cost a bit more upfront.
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