Can Bearded Cory and Red-Bellied Piranha Live Together?

Bearded Cory is a peaceful species (2/10), while Red-Bellied Piranha is semi-aggressive (8/10). This notable difference means Red-Bellied Piranha may occasionally assert dominance over Bearded Cory.

Large aggression gap (6 points) between Bearded Cory and Red-Bellied Piranha increases stress risk for the more peaceful fish.

Bearded Cory and Red-Bellied Piranha both frequent the Bottom (Substrate) region of the setup. This overlap can increase competition for space, so providing ample room and cover is important to keep both species comfortable.

Additional behavioural considerations to keep in mind: Hyperactive swimmers can stress shy, slow-moving species through constant motion.

There is no temperature overlap between Bearded Cory (16–23°C) and Red-Bellied Piranha (24–28°C). This fundamental mismatch makes long-term cohabitation impractical.

Both fish can tolerate a pH between 6 and 7.4. Maintaining a stable value within this band is more important than hitting an exact number.

For general hardness, the shared comfort zone is 4–12 dGH. Regular testing will ensure conditions stay within this range.

To house Bearded Cory and Red-Bellied Piranha together, plan for an aquarium of at least 398 litres with a minimum length of 120 cm. This recommendation combines the stricter species minimums with a community-load allowance so the pairing has realistic long-term space and filtration headroom.

Providing a mix of open swimming space and sheltered areas with rocks, driftwood, or plants will keep both species comfortable and allow natural behaviour.

Specific environmental needs for this combination include: Sand (Sifters), Driftwood (Digestion/Hiding), Plants - Floating. Meeting these requirements will help both species thrive.

Both species do well with moderate (standard) water movement, so a standard filtration setup rated for the tank volume should suffice.