Brighten up your freshwater aquarium with the playful and charming Panda Corydora (Corydoras panda). Named for the striking black patches across its eyes, dorsal fin, and tail base that contrast against a off-white to pinkish body, this dwarf bottom-feeder is one of the most beloved freshwater catfish species in the hobby. Peaceful, active, and endlessly entertaining, Panda Corys are active scavengers that keep your substrate clean while adding continuous motion to community aquariums.

Quick Specs

Complete Care & Product Details

Place of Origin

The Panda Corydora originates from South America, natively inhabiting the clear, fast-flowing tributaries of the Ucayali River system in Peru. These habitats feature cool, oxygen-rich waters running over soft sandy riverbeds, shaded by dense tropical overhangs.

Care & Maintenance

Panda Corys are hardy once established, making them suitable for beginner and experienced aquarists alike. They prefer cooler, well-oxygenated water compared to some other Corydoras species. Regular weekly water changes of 20–25% are essential to keep nitrate levels low and maintain clean water conditions, as dirty substrate can lead to bacterial infections in their sensitive delicate barbels.

Tank Size

While a small group can be housed in a 10-gallon aquarium, a 20-gallon long tank or larger is strongly recommended. Because Panda Corydoras are social shoaling fish, they thrive best in groups of 6 or more. A larger footprint provides ample surface area for browsing and foraging along the bottom.

Environment & Tank Setup

To simulate their natural habitat and keep your fish safe:

• Substrate: Fine, smooth sand is essential. Rough or sharp gravel can erode their sensitive sensory barbels, leading to stress and infection.

• Decor & Shelter: Include driftwood, smooth stones, and live plants such as Anubias, Java Fern, and Cryptocoryne to offer shaded hiding spots and security.

• Filtration: Good water movement and strong filtration are ideal, but ensure the current on the substrate level is soft enough for easy swimming.

Feeding & Diet

Panda Corydoras are bottom-dwelling omnivores that actively scavenge for food leftovers, but they should not rely solely on tank waste. Feed them a high-quality, balanced diet consisting of:

• Sinking pellets and wafers: Specifically formulated for bottom feeders or catfish.

• Protein treats: Frozen or live bloodworms, brine shrimp, daphnia, and tubifex worms.

• Frequency: Feed 1–2 times daily, providing only what they can consume within 3 to 5 minutes.

Ideal Tank Mates

Extremely peaceful by nature, Panda Corydoras make exceptional additions to peaceful community tanks. They pair well with other calm, small-to-medium-sized species that thrive in similar water conditions:

• Tetras: Neon Tetras, Ember Tetras, Rummy-Nose Tetras

• Rasboras & Danios: Harlequin Rasboras, Zebra Danios

• Guppies & Endlers

• Invertebrates: Cherry Shrimp, Amano Shrimp, and Nerite Snails

• Avoid: Large, aggressive, or territorial fish such as Cichlids, Oscars, or aggressive Fin-Nippers that might bully or prey on small bottom dwellers.

Breeding

Breeding Panda Corydoras in a home aquarium is achievable with proper preparation:

1. Conditioning: Feed the breeding pair or group high-protein live or frozen foods (like bloodworms and brine shrimp) for 1–2 weeks.

2. Triggering: Perform a 20–30% cool-water change to mimic the South American rainy season, slightly lowering the tank temperature.

3. Spawning: The females will carry eggs held between their pelvic fins, fertilize them via the classic "T-position" with males, and deposit adhesive eggs on plant leaves or tank glass.

4. Fry Care: Remove adult fish or collect eggs into a separate rearing tank with gentle aeration to protect them from being eaten. Eggs hatch in 3–5 days; feed fry infusoria, micro-worms, or liquid fry food initially before transitioning to baby brine shrimp.

PLEASE READ BEFORE ORDERING

• The photos shown on fish product pages are representations of adult fish and are NOT the actual fish that you will be receiving. 
• Please visit our “Ordering/Shipping fish” page prior to checking out to familiarize yourself with our process.
• We ship fish exclusively using overnight shipping with either FedEx or UPS. We will not ship fish with lesser expensive shipping services like “Ground” or “Priority Mail”. This is to ensure the safety of the fish.
• Unless specified, all fish are sold as unsexed.