Bronze Corydoras

Bronze Corydoras (Corydoras aeneus) is The classic bronze-green metallic sheen across the body, shading to cream or silver on the belly, with iridescent highlights that shift from olive to teal depending on the light angle. One of the most widely kept and best-loved catfish in the freshwater hobby, Corydoras aeneus has been a staple of the aquarium trade for well over a century. Remarkably hardy, peaceful, and endlessly active, it is equally suited to the beginner's first community tank and the experienced aquarist's carefully aquascaped planted setup.

Feeding & Care Tip: Hikari Sinking Wafers make an excellent daily staple — drop them near the fish at lights-out when corys are most actively foraging. Sera Vipachips Tropical Wafers are an excellent alternative. Supplement 2–3× per week with Hikari Frozen or Freeze-Dried Tubifex Worms or Hikari Frozen or Freeze-Dried Bloodworms. Remove any uneaten food within a few hours to maintain water quality.

Native to a remarkably wide range across Trinidad and South America — from Venezuela and Colombia south through Peru, Bolivia, and Brazil to the La Plata basin of Argentina. This breadth of origin explains the species' legendary adaptability. In nature it inhabits slow-moving rivers, streams, ponds, and even roadside ditches, always close to the bottom where it forages through leaf litter and sediment.

Keep in groups of at least six — this is not optional for Corydoras. In the wild these fish occur in schools of dozens to hundreds. A lone Corydoras or a group of fewer than six is a stressed fish that stays hidden, refuses food, and lives a shortened life. In a proper group they are bold, constantly active, and endlessly entertaining to watch as they forage together across the bottom of the aquarium.

Corydoras are highly sensitive to substrate quality — fine sand is strongly preferred over gravel, as rough substrates damage the delicate barbels they use to forage. Regular partial water changes and pristine water quality are essential, as all Corydoras are sensitive to nitrites and dissolved waste. Sand substrate, gentle flow, and shaded areas with driftwood or plants will keep this species at its happiest and most active.

Care & Ideal Parameters