Corydoras panda
The cory that looks painted: cream body with black eye-patches, dorsal saddle, and tail base. Prefers cooler water than most tropicals, a perfect match for white clouds, Hillstream loaches, and Bolivian rams. Soft, smooth substrate is non-negotiable; sharp gravel shreds their barbels.
Panda Corydoras (Corydoras panda) reaches 4–5 cm as an adult and needs a minimum tank of 75 L. Native to Rio Pachitea, Peru, it lives in the bottom water column with a peaceful temperament. Aim for 20–25 °C, pH 6.0–7.5, and 2–12 dGH hardness. Lifespan is 5–10 years with good care. Keep panda corydoras in groups of 6+, yes schoolers need numbers to display natural behaviour. Diet: omnivore, Sinking pellets, catfish wafers, frozen bloodworms, blanched veg scraps. Feed at lights-off to bypass faster tankmates. Plant-safe: Yes. Shrimp-safe: Yes.
Care at a glance
The cory that looks painted: cream body with black eye-patches, dorsal saddle, and tail base. Prefers cooler water than most tropicals, a perfect match for white clouds, Hillstream loaches, and Bolivian rams. Soft, smooth substrate is non-negotiable; sharp gravel shreds their barbels.
By Mike ElmiraUpdated 1 min read
Part of our complete guide to aquarium fish for the planted tank.
The parameters that decide whether panda corydoras fits in your tank.
Bottom
Yes
Group of 6+
Callichthyidae
Omnivore
Sinking pellets, catfish wafers, frozen bloodworms, blanched veg scraps. Feed at lights-off to bypass faster tankmates.
5–10 yrs
Medium
Rio Pachitea, Peru
Rio Pachitea, Peru
Tank-mate safety and the species this one is documented to thrive (or fail) alongside.
Direct answers to the questions search engines and AI assistants surface most often about this species.
Panda Corydoras (Corydoras panda) needs a minimum tank of 75 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 20–25 °C, pH 6.0–7.5, and 2–12 dGH hardness. Acclimate slowly when moving them between water sources.
Shrimp safety: Yes. Plant safety: Yes.
Panda Corydoras are omnivore. Sinking pellets, catfish wafers, frozen bloodworms, blanched veg scraps. Feed at lights-off to bypass faster tankmates.
On Fin & Stem's 1–5 difficulty scale this species rates 2/5. Forgiving, beginner-friendly once the tank is cycled. 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.
