Corydoras aeneus
The default community catfish, hardier than sterbai or pygmy, available everywhere in SA, lives a decade. Smooth (not gravel) substrate so it doesn't damage its barbels. Always in groups of 6+; they're miserable as singletons. The albino variant is even more common but light-sensitive.
Bronze Corydoras (Corydoras aeneus) reaches 6–7 cm as an adult and needs a minimum tank of 80 L. Native to South America (Colombia, Trinidad to Argentina), it lives in the bottom water column with a peaceful temperament. Aim for 20–26 °C, pH 6.0–7.5, and 3–15 dGH hardness. Lifespan is 5–10 years with good care. Keep bronze corydoras in groups of 6+, yes schoolers need numbers to display natural behaviour. Diet: omnivore (sinking food), Sinking wafers, granules. Will scavenge leftovers but needs dedicated meals, not just a clean-up crew. Plant-safe: Yes. Shrimp-safe: Yes.
Care at a glance
The default community catfish, hardier than sterbai or pygmy, available everywhere in SA, lives a decade. Smooth (not gravel) substrate so it doesn't damage its barbels. Always in groups of 6+; they're miserable as singletons. The albino variant is even more common but light-sensitive.
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The parameters that decide whether bronze corydoras fits in your tank.
Bottom
Yes
Group of 6+
Callichthyidae
Omnivore (sinking food)
Sinking wafers, granules. Will scavenge leftovers but needs dedicated meals, not just a clean-up crew.
5–10 yrs
Medium
Slow vegetated rivers across most of South America
South America (Colombia, Trinidad to Argentina)
Tank-mate safety and the species this one is documented to thrive (or fail) alongside.
Weighing it against something similar? Compare Bronze Corydoras head to head:
Direct answers to the questions search engines and AI assistants surface most often about this species.
Bronze Corydoras (Corydoras aeneus) needs a minimum tank of 80 L. They live in the bottom water column and should be kept in groups of 6+, so a longer footprint matters more than depth.
Target 20–26 °C, pH 6.0–7.5, and 3–15 dGH hardness. Acclimate slowly when moving them between water sources.
Shrimp safety: Yes. Plant safety: Yes.
Bronze Corydoras are omnivore (sinking food). Sinking wafers, granules. Will scavenge leftovers but needs dedicated meals, not just a clean-up crew.
On Fin & Stem's 1–5 difficulty scale this species rates 1/5. Almost unkillable, a solid first-tank choice. Breeding difficulty: medium.
Typical lifespan in a well-maintained tank is 5–10 years.
A planted tank is a system. Pair this fish with one entry from each other pillar to plan the whole scape.
