Can Bearded Cory and Striped Raphael Catfish Live Together?

Both Bearded Cory and Striped Raphael Catfish are peaceful species with an aggression score of 2/10. Their matching temperaments mean neither fish is likely to dominate the other in a shared aquarium.

Bearded Cory and Striped Raphael Catfish 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.

Worth noting: Striped Raphael Catfish is nocturnal and will be most active after lights-out, naturally reducing daytime encounters.

There is no temperature overlap between Bearded Cory (16–23°C) and Striped Raphael Catfish (24–30°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 2–12 dGH. Regular testing will ensure conditions stay within this range.

To house Bearded Cory and Striped Raphael Catfish together, plan for an aquarium of at least 200 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). 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.