Corydoras Panda

Corydoras panda is one of the most instantly recognisable and widely kept corydoras species in the aquarium hobby, named for its striking resemblance to the giant panda — a pale cream to white body with three distinct black patches: one covering both eyes, one at the base of the dorsal fin, and one at the base of the tail. This simple but highly effective colour pattern creates one of the most charming and immediately distinctive small catfish in the aquarium trade.

Native to the Ucayali River system in Peru (Amazon basin), where it inhabits clear, cool-flowing mountain streams with sandy bottoms and leaf litter. The water in its native habitat is relatively cool, soft, and slightly acidic — conditions that differentiate it somewhat from hardier Corydoras species that tolerate warmer, harder water.

Panda Corydoras are slightly more temperature-sensitive than many corydoras — they prefer cooler water (18–24°C) and may develop health problems if sustained at tropical temperatures of 26°C or above. This makes them ideal companions for other cool-water preferences species but less suitable for warmer-water community tanks.

Like all Corydoras, the Panda Cory is a social, armoured catfish that must be kept in groups of at least six to thrive. Solitary or small groups become stressed, inactive, and prone to disease. In a group of six or more with appropriate conditions, they are among the most active and entertaining small catfish available.

Tank Setup: A minimum 60-litre planted aquarium with fine sand substrate (essential for sensitive barbels), driftwood, flat stones, and broad-leaved plants. Gentle to moderate filtration. Temperature should be kept at the lower end of the range — 18–24°C is ideal. Avoid warmer setups.

Water Parameters: Temperature 18–24°C; pH 6.0–7.5; GH 2–12 °dH; KH 1–6 °dH. Cooler than many tropical community fish. Soft to moderately soft, slightly acidic to neutral water. Avoid sustained temperatures above 26°C.

Feeding: Omnivore bottom forager. Sinking corydoras pellets, wafers, frozen bloodworm, Daphnia, brine shrimp, and Tubifex. Feed in the evening. Ensure food reaches the substrate in community tanks — competing fish may consume it all mid-water.

Tank Mates: Ideal with other cool-water, peaceful species: White Cloud Mountain Minnows, cool-tolerant tetras (Black Skirt, Bloodfin), small danios, hillstream loaches, and other cool-water corydoras species. Avoid very warm tropical fish setups.

Behaviour: Peaceful, social bottom forager. Groups of 6+ forage actively in coordinated formation. Surface dashing to gulp air is normal intestinal respiration. Spawning involves the T-position typical of corydoras, often triggered by water changes with slightly cooler water.

Health: Hardy when kept cool. More susceptible to health problems in warm (26°C+) conditions than many other corydoras. Barbel erosion from sharp substrate is the main physical health risk. Keep on fine sand.