Panda Corydoras (Panda Cory)
Corydoras panda
Corydoras panda is a small, bottom-dwelling catfish known for its pale body with distinctive black patches over the eyes and near the tail, resembling a panda's markings. It is a peaceful, social schooling species that does best in groups and appreciates soft substrate and clean, well-oxygenated water. Like other corydoras, it forages constantly and should be offered sinking foods rather than relying on leftovers.
The Panda Corydoras features a distinctive pattern of black spots on a white to cream background and a rounded body, reaching up to 2.5 inches in length.
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Quick Facts
Size
2 inches
Temperament
Peaceful
Difficulty
Beginner
Min Tank Size
20 gallons
Lifespan
5-10 years
Origin
South America (Peru, upper Amazon basin tributaries)
Diet
Omnivore - sinking pellets/wafers, live/frozen foods (bloodworms, daphnia, brine shrimp), occasional quality flakes
Water Parameters
20-25°C
6-7.5
2-12 dGH
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Calculate heater sizeCare Notes
- Keep Panda Corydoras in a group of at least 6 (8-12 is better) because they are strongly social and will be shy, inactive, and stressed when kept singly or in small numbers.
- Provide a soft, fine sand substrate (preferred) or very smooth rounded gravel, plus driftwood and plants for cover; sharp gravel can wear down their sensitive barbels and lead to infections.
- Aim for stable, clean water: 20-24°C (68-75°F), pH ~6.0-7.5, and low-moderate hardness; they dislike high heat and do best with good oxygenation and moderate flow.
- Maintain excellent water quality with a reliable filter and weekly water changes (typically 25-40% depending on stocking), keeping ammonia/nitrite at 0 and nitrates ideally under ~20 ppm.
- Feed sinking foods daily such as quality Cory pellets/wafers, frozen/live foods (bloodworms, daphnia, brine shrimp), and occasional blanched vegetables; don't rely on "leftovers" and ensure food reaches the bottom.
- Choose peaceful tank mates that won't outcompete them for food (small tetras, rasboras, peaceful dwarf cichlids, other Corys); avoid aggressive fish and large fin-nippers, and use caution with boisterous bottom dwellers.
- Watch for barbel erosion, reddened bellies, and lethargy (often linked to dirty substrate or poor water), and remember Corys are sensitive to many medications-avoid salt-heavy treatments and use reduced doses when appropriate.
- Breeding is possible in a mature, clean tank: condition with high-quality foods and trigger spawning with cooler water changes and extra aeration; eggs are often laid on glass/plants, so move adults or eggs to prevent predation.
Compatibility
Good Tankmates
- Small, peaceful schooling fish (e.g., ember/neon tetras, harlequin/chili rasboras) that won't harass bottom-dwellers
- Other peaceful bottom fish in appropriate setups (e.g., other Corydoras species in groups, small Otocinclus) with enough floor space
- Peaceful dwarf cichlids (e.g., Apistogramma, ram cichlids) in well-planted tanks with hiding spots and minimal territorial pressure
- Gentle livebearers (e.g., platies, mollies) when water parameters overlap and tankmates are not overly boisterous
- Peaceful invertebrates (e.g., nerite snails, Amano shrimp, larger Neocaridina colonies) that won't prey on or harass Corydoras
Avoid
- Large or aggressive cichlids (e.g., Oscars, green terrors, Jack Dempseys) that may bully, injure, or eat Panda Corydoras
- Fin-nipping or highly boisterous fish (e.g., tiger barbs, many danios in cramped tanks) that stress and outcompete them for food
- Large predatory or aggressive catfish/loaches (e.g., redtail catfish, pictus catfish, clown loach) that can outgrow and outcompete or prey on them
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