A highly popular, peaceful schooling catfish known for its armor-like scales (scutes) and active bottom-feeding behavior. They are essential clean-up crew members but require a dedicated sinking diet (not just leftovers). Sand substrate is strictly required to prevent erosion and infection of their sensitive barbels. They are 'gut breathers' and will occasionally dart to the surface to gulp atmospheric air.
Bronze Corydoras At a Glance
Bronze Corydoras Tank Requirements
Will Bronze Corydoras fit in your tank?
Care guides tell you what Bronze Corydoras needs, the next question is whether your tank can safely provide it. Test Bronze Corydoras against your tank size, maintenance needs, and the fish you already keep before you buy.
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Bronze Corydoras Water Parameters
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Bronze Corydoras Temperament & Compatibility
Bronze Corydoras Varieties
Each variety inherits the species defaults above. Only differences are highlighted.
Standard / Bronze
The wild-type coloration featuring a metallic bronze to green sheen along the flanks. Extremely hardy and active.
Same care requirements as the base species
Also known as: Bronze, Green Corydoras, Wild Type
Albino
A ubiquitous and highly popular unpigmented morph. They share the exact same care requirements but have slightly poorer eyesight and may be more startled by sudden lighting changes.
Same care requirements as the base species
Also known as: Albino Cory, Pink Cory, Red Eye
Long Finned
A selectively bred morph with greatly extended fins. They require a slightly gentler current to avoid exhaustion and should not be kept with fin-nipping tank mates.
Differs in 2 traits from base species
Also known as: Hi-Fin, Long Fin Bronze, Veiltail Cory
Bronze Corydoras Care Guide Summary
The Bronze Corydoras, scientifically known as Corydoras aeneus, belongs to the Catfish family group. Adults reach a maximum size of approximately 7 cm and have a fusiform body shape with a moderate growth rate. Classified as peaceful, this species primarily occupies the bottom zone of the aquarium and produces a low level of biological waste.
To thrive, the Bronze Corydoras requires a freshwater only aquarium with a minimum volume of 60 litres and a tank length of at least 60 cm. Water temperature should be maintained between 22°C and 27°C, with a pH range of 6–7.5 and a general hardness of 2–15 dGH. A moderate water flow is preferred.
The Bronze Corydoras is a rewarding species to keep, provided its core environmental needs are met. This species is available in 3 varieties: Standard / Bronze, Albino, and Long Finned. Each may differ slightly in size, temperament, or care needs, so it is worth checking the specific requirements of the variety you plan to keep.
Bronze Corydoras Habitat Setup
When setting up an aquarium for the Bronze Corydoras, a moderate water flow best suits their natural preferences. Because this species occupies the bottom zone, the aquarium layout should prioritise sufficient floor space with hiding spots among rocks, wood, or dense planting. Useful additions include a sand substrate to accommodate their sifting behaviour. Keepers should note that expect substrate disturbance, so lightweight décor should be secured.
Bronze Corydoras Compatibility Notes
Classified as peaceful, the Bronze Corydoras is a schooling species that feels most secure in a sizeable group, where natural shoaling behaviour reduces stress and brings out their best colours. When choosing tankmates, their energetic swimming style may stress more sedentary or timid species. Selecting tankmates that favour different water layers from the bottom zone can help reduce competition and territorial overlap.
Bronze Corydoras Recommended Tank Sizes
Standard aquarium sizes that meet the minimum volume and length requirements for Bronze Corydoras.
20 Gallon High
20 Gallon Long
29 Gallon Standard
30 Gallon Breeder
36 Gallon Bowfront
40 Gallon Breeder
Show 19 more tank sizes
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Frequently Asked Questions About Bronze Corydoras
How big does Bronze Corydoras get?
Bronze Corydoras (Corydoras aeneus) typically reaches a maximum adult size of approximately 7 cm. They have a fusiform body shape and a moderate growth rate.
What tank size does Bronze Corydoras need?
A minimum aquarium volume of 60 litres and a tank length of at least 60 cm are recommended for Bronze Corydoras. This ensures enough swimming space and helps maintain stable water conditions.
What water parameters does Bronze Corydoras need?
Bronze Corydoras thrives in freshwater only conditions with a temperature range of 22–27°C, a pH between 6 and 7.5, and a general hardness of 2–15 dGH. A moderate water flow is preferred.
Is Bronze Corydoras peaceful or aggressive?
Bronze Corydoras is classified as peaceful with an aggression score of 1 out of 10. They are generally well-suited to peaceful community tanks.
How many Bronze Corydoras should be kept together?
Bronze Corydoras is a schooling species and should be kept in groups of at least 6. Larger groups help distribute aggression and encourage natural schooling behaviour.
Does Bronze Corydoras have any special tank requirements?
Yes. Bronze Corydoras benefits from sand (sifters) in the aquarium. These features help replicate their natural habitat and promote overall health and well-being.
Top Tank Mates for Bronze Corydoras
These fish are strong compatibility matches for Bronze Corydoras based on water preferences, temperament, adult size, and tank behavior.
Pygmy Rainbowfish
Melanotaenia pygmaea
Ideal Tank MatesParkinson's Rainbowfish
Melanotaenia parkinsoni
Ideal Tank MatesPacific Blue Eye
Pseudomugil signifer
Ideal Tank MatesOgilby's Rainbowfish
Melanotaenia ogilbyi
Ideal Tank MatesNorthern Mountain Swordtail
Xiphophorus nezahualcoyotl
Ideal Tank MatesPearl Danio
Danio albolineatus
Ideal Tank MatesPlants That Suit Bronze Corydoras
These plants pair well with Bronze Corydoras based on shared water preferences, layout fit, and how likely they are to hold up in the same aquarium.
Afzel's Anubias
Anubias afzelii
Anubias Barteri
Anubias barteri
Belinda's Buce
Bucephalandra belindae
Buce Motleyana
Bucephalandra motleyana
Christmas Moss
Vesicularia montagnei
Congo Anubias
Anubias heterophylla
Fish Similar to Bronze Corydoras
Leopard Cory
Corydoras leopardus
A peaceful, highly social bottom-dwelling catfish known for its striking leopard-like spots and elongated snout. Unlike many fish, Corydoras require fine sand substrate to prevent severe damage to their delicate sensory barbels. They are obligate shoaling fish and must be kept in groups of at least 6 to feel secure and display natural continuous foraging behaviors.
Sterba's Corydoras
Corydoras sterbai
A highly popular and peaceful schooling catfish known for its striking white-on-black spotted pattern and bright orange pectoral fins. Uniquely among Corydoras, they thrive in higher temperatures, making them excellent bottom-dwelling companions for warm-water species like Discus. They are obligate shoalers and must be kept on fine sand to prevent the erosion and infection of their delicate barbels.
Peppered Corydoras
Corydoras paleatus
One of the most popular and hardy Corydoras species. Notably, they prefer cooler water temperatures than most tropical fish. They are peaceful, bottom-dwelling schooling fish that use their sensitive barbels to sift through the substrate for food. They must be kept in groups to thrive.
Black Fin Cory
Corydoras leucomelas
A peaceful schooling catfish native to the Amazon basin, easily identified by its black dorsal fin and a dark mask-like band across its eyes. Like all Corydoras, they are bottom-dwellers that use sensitive barbels to forage. They possess a modified intestine allowing them to gulp atmospheric air, so occasional darts to the surface are normal. They are highly social and require a soft sandy substrate to prevent barbel erosion.
Duplicareus Corydoras
Corydoras duplicareus
A peaceful, highly social schooling catfish native to the upper Rio Negro basin in South America. They are easily identified by their bright orange patch on the snout and a broad black band running down their back. Like all Corydoras, they require soft sand to sift through without damaging their delicate sensory barbels.
Agassiz Cory
Corydoras agassizii
A peaceful, bottom-dwelling armored catfish native to the Amazon River basin. They are easily identified by their silvery body with dark spots and a distinct black mask over their eyes. Like all Corydoras, they are highly social and must be kept in groups. A soft sand substrate is absolutely essential to protect their delicate sensory barbels as they forage.