A highly popular, peaceful schooling catfish easily identified by its black eye patches and spotted dorsal/tail fins, resembling a giant panda. Native to the cooler waters of the Ucayali river system in Peru, they require slightly lower temperatures than many standard tropical community fish. They are strict bottom-dwellers that sift through the substrate for food.
Panda Corydoras At a Glance
Panda Corydoras Tank Requirements
Will Panda Corydoras fit in your tank?
Care guides tell you what Panda Corydoras needs, the next question is whether your tank can safely provide it. Test Panda Corydoras against your tank size, maintenance needs, and the fish you already keep before you buy.
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Panda Corydoras Water Parameters
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Panda Corydoras Temperament & Compatibility
Panda Corydoras Varieties
Each variety inherits the species defaults above. Only differences are highlighted.
Standard
The standard short-finned Panda Cory. Highly active bottom feeders that must be kept in groups of 6 or more on a soft sand substrate to protect their delicate barbels.
Same care requirements as the base species
Also known as: Shortfin Panda, Wild Type
Long Finned
A selectively bred morph with trailing, elongated fins. They are slightly less agile than the standard form and appreciate gentler filtration to prevent fin damage or exhaustion.
Differs in 2 traits from base species
Also known as: Longfin Panda Cory, Hi-fin Panda, Veiltail Cory
Panda Corydoras Care Guide Summary
The Panda Corydoras, scientifically known as Corydoras panda, belongs to the Catfish family group. Adults reach a maximum size of approximately 5 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 Panda Corydoras requires a freshwater only aquarium with a minimum volume of 54 litres and a tank length of at least 60 cm. Water temperature should be maintained between 20°C and 25°C, with a pH range of 6–7.4 and a general hardness of 2–12 dGH. A moderate water flow is preferred.
The Panda Corydoras is a rewarding species to keep, provided its core environmental needs are met. This species is available in 2 varieties: Standard 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.
Panda Corydoras Habitat Setup
When setting up an aquarium for the Panda 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.
Panda Corydoras Compatibility Notes
Classified as peaceful, the Panda 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.
Panda Corydoras Recommended Tank Sizes
Standard aquarium sizes that meet the minimum volume and length requirements for Panda Corydoras.
15 Gallon Standard
20 Gallon High
20 Gallon Long
29 Gallon Standard
30 Gallon Breeder
36 Gallon Bowfront
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Frequently Asked Questions About Panda Corydoras
How big does Panda Corydoras get?
Panda Corydoras (Corydoras panda) typically reaches a maximum adult size of approximately 5 cm. They have a fusiform body shape and a moderate growth rate.
What tank size does Panda Corydoras need?
A minimum aquarium volume of 54 litres and a tank length of at least 60 cm are recommended for Panda Corydoras. This ensures enough swimming space and helps maintain stable water conditions.
What water parameters does Panda Corydoras need?
Panda Corydoras thrives in freshwater only conditions with a temperature range of 20–25°C, a pH between 6 and 7.4, and a general hardness of 2–12 dGH. A moderate water flow is preferred.
Is Panda Corydoras peaceful or aggressive?
Panda Corydoras is classified as peaceful with an aggression score of 0 out of 10. They are generally well-suited to peaceful community tanks.
How many Panda Corydoras should be kept together?
Panda 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 Panda Corydoras have any special tank requirements?
Yes. Panda 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 Panda Corydoras
These fish are strong compatibility matches for Panda Corydoras based on water preferences, temperament, adult size, and tank behavior.
Pacific Blue Eye
Pseudomugil signifer
Ideal Tank MatesPearl Danio
Danio albolineatus
Ideal Tank MatesNew Guinea Rainbowfish
Melanotaenia affinis
Ideal Tank MatesMurray River Rainbowfish
Melanotaenia fluviatilis
Ideal Tank MatesMadagascar Rainbowfish
Bedotia madagascariensis
Ideal Tank MatesLake Eacham Rainbowfish
Melanotaenia eachamensis
Ideal Tank MatesPlants That Suit Panda Corydoras
These plants pair well with Panda Corydoras based on shared water preferences, layout fit, and how likely they are to hold up in the same aquarium.
African Onion Plant
Crinum calamistratum
Afzel's Anubias
Anubias afzelii
Amazon Sword
Echinodorus amazonicus
Anacharis
Egeria densa
Anubias Barteri
Anubias barteri
Ashy Pipewort
Eriocaulon cinereum
Fish Similar to Panda Corydoras
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.
True Julii Corydoras
Corydoras julii
A highly sought-after, peaceful schooling catfish native to the lower Amazon. They feature distinctive fine black dots on their heads (unlike the reticulated, maze-like lines of the commonly mislabeled 'False Julii', C. trilineatus) and a black-tipped dorsal fin. As obligate bottom-dwellers, they continuously sift through the substrate and strictly require soft sand to prevent erosion and infection of their delicate sensory barbels. They are highly gregarious and must be kept in groups.
Adolfo Cory
Corydoras adolfoi
Adolfo's Corydoras is a highly sought-after, peaceful schooling catfish native to the blackwater habitats of the Rio Negro basin. They are easily identified by their bright orange nape and distinct black eye stripe. Like all corydoras, they require soft sand substrate to protect their delicate sensory barbels as they constantly sift the bottom for food.
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.
Loxozonus Corydoras (C079/C082)
Corydoras loxozonus
A peaceful, bottom-dwelling catfish native to the Rio Meta basin in Colombia. Known for the distinctive diagonal black stripe across its back and a mask over its eyes. Like all Corydoras, they are highly social and must be kept in groups. A soft, sandy substrate is strictly required to prevent damage to their delicate barbels as they sift for food.