Overview
The panda corydoras is a small, cream-colored catfish named for the black patches over its eyes and near its tail, which make it look a bit like a tiny panda bear. It comes from cool, clear streams that feed the Amazon in Peru, where it snuffles along the bottom looking for food. With its round belly, whiskery mouth, and cheerful wiggling, it is one of the most charming bottom-dwellers you can keep.
Panda corys are peaceful, social fish that love company, so they should always be kept in a group. They use their whisker-like barbels to feel around the sand for bits of food, and a whole group foraging together is a delightful sight. Because they like slightly cooler water than many tropical fish, they are a great pick for a calm community tank that stays on the cooler side.
| Care level | Easy |
| Adult size | 2 in (5 cm) |
| Lifespan | 5-10 years |
| Temperament | Peaceful |
| Min. tank | 20 gallons (76 L) |
| Temperature | 68-77 F (20-25 C) |
| pH | 6.0-7.5 |
| Diet | Omnivore |
| Schooling | Yes, keep 6 or more |
Why the panda name
This little catfish has a pale body with a black patch over each eye, a black spot near the tail, and a dark mark on the top fin. Those bold black patches on a white body are exactly why it borrowed the panda's famous look.
Whiskers for finding food
Around its mouth a panda cory has soft feelers called barbels that work like tiny fingers, tasting and feeling the sand for food. It roots gently through the substrate all day, cleaning up leftover bits the other fish miss.
A happy little crowd
Panda corys are social and feel safest in a group of six or more. In a good group they dash around, rest together, and even do a funny dart to the surface to gulp a bubble of air, which is normal for these fish.
Gentle on the belly
Because they are always rooting through the bottom, panda corys do best on soft sand or smooth gravel. Sharp, rough gravel can wear down their delicate barbels, so a smooth floor keeps them healthy.
Cooler water lovers
Panda corys come from cooler mountain-fed streams, so they enjoy water a little cooler than many tropical fish. This makes them a great match for other calm species that also like it on the cool side.
Fun facts
- Panda corys can gulp air from the surface using their gut to take in oxygen.
- Their black eye patches are the reason they are named after the panda.
- Soft barbels around the mouth help them taste and feel for food in the sand.
- They prefer slightly cooler water than most tropical aquarium fish.
- A healthy panda cory can live well over five years.
Frequently asked questions
How many panda corys do I need?
Keep at least six together. They are social fish, and a group makes them active, confident, and much more fun to watch as they forage as a team.
Why does my cory dash to the surface?
Panda corys can gulp a bit of air at the surface and absorb oxygen through their gut. An occasional dash up is completely normal, though constant trips can mean the water needs more oxygen.
What kind of tank bottom is best?
Soft sand or smooth, rounded gravel. Rough or sharp gravel can damage their sensitive barbels, which they need to find food.
Do panda corys need a heater?
They like cooler water than many tropicals but still need stable warmth, usually a bit under standard tropical temperatures. In most homes a heater set to the lower tropical range works well.
