Panda corydoras
Corydoras panda
Callichthyidae
Easy
Parameter dashboard
Temperature
22-25 °C
pH
6-7.4
Size
5 cm
Lifespan
8 years
Min tank42.5 L
Price$
DietOmnivore
TemperamentPeaceful
OriginUpper Amazon, Peru
Shrimp-safeYes
Care guide
Wild populations of the panda corydoras occur in clear and blackwater tributaries of the upper Amazon in Peru, but the fish on sale today are almost all commercially produced. The common name comes from the bold black-and-white pattern. It reaches about 5 cm standard length.
These catfish do best on a fine sand substrate. A tank measuring 45 × 30 cm (about 42 litres) is adequate for a small group. The ideal temperature range is 22–25 °C; pH 6.0–7.4. They are omnivorous: sinking pellets as the staple, supplemented with live or frozen daphnia and bloodworm.
Panda corys are very peaceful and mix well with small characins, cyprinids and dwarf cichlids. Keep in groups of at least six. Breeding follows the classic corydoras pattern — a cool water change often triggers spawning, and the eggs hatch in three to five days.
Tankmate compatibility (sample)
Pairwise screening against other species in the database (prioritizing the same family when data is available).
Review first (2)
Caution or avoid from automated rules — confirm before mixing.
| Species | Assessment | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Hoplo Catfish Megalechis thoracata Caution | Caution | Fish 2x+ larger may eat smaller tankmates Open pair in Compare → |
| Pygmy corydoras Corydoras pygmaeus Caution | Caution | Fish 2x+ larger may eat smaller tankmates Open pair in Compare → |
8 species with compatible assessment in this sampleCollapse to hide the list; use “Open pair in Compare” for the full matrix.
| Species | Assessment | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Adolf's catfish Corydoras adolfoi Compatible | Compatible | No rule-based conflicts detected for this pair. Open pair in Compare → |
| Bronze corydoras Corydoras aeneus Compatible | Compatible | No rule-based conflicts detected for this pair. Open pair in Compare → |
| Leopard corydoras Corydoras julii Compatible | Compatible | No rule-based conflicts detected for this pair. Open pair in Compare → |
| Palespotted corydoras Corydoras gossei Compatible | Compatible | No rule-based conflicts detected for this pair. Open pair in Compare → |
| Peppered corydoras Corydoras paleatus Compatible | Compatible | No rule-based conflicts detected for this pair. Open pair in Compare → |
| Schwartz's catfish Corydoras schwartzi Compatible | Compatible | No rule-based conflicts detected for this pair. Open pair in Compare → |
| Sterba's cory Corydoras sterbai Compatible | Compatible | No rule-based conflicts detected for this pair. Open pair in Compare → |
| Twosaddle corydoras Corydoras weitzmani Compatible | Compatible | No rule-based conflicts detected for this pair. Open pair in Compare → |
Same rule engine as Compare. Not a substitute for observation, tank size, or acclimation.
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