Tank mates by speciesTM-05
Corydoras Tank Mates: 22 Species Rated ○△×, Shrimp, Crowded Bottoms and How Many to Keep
Corydoras are safe with almost any peaceful small fish, shrimp and snails. When you add other bottom dwellers, decide by floor space and whether food reaches everyone.
In this article (17 sections)
- In short: which fish are safe tank mates for corydoras?
- Do the panda and the peppered corydoras differ in tank mates?
- Which fish are × with corydoras?
- Can corydoras live with medaka?
- Can corydoras live with shrimp?
- Can bottom dwellers (otocinclus, kuhli loach, pleco) live together?
- How crowded can the bottom get with corydoras tank mates?
- How many corydoras should you keep?
- Which fish should you choose for the top and middle with corydoras?
- What if food does not reach the corydoras?
- Why are corydoras △ with angelfish and tiger barbs?
- What should you set up before adding corydoras tank mates?
- What are common mistakes with corydoras tank mates?
- What terms come up with corydoras tank mates?
- What else goes with corydoras tank mates?
- Sources
In short: which fish are safe tank mates for corydoras?
Corydoras are safe with almost any peaceful small fish, shrimp and snails. Avoid the betta (male), medaka and goldfish, and check floor space when you add other bottom dwellers.
Corydoras are peaceful catfish that live in groups and search the bottom for food. Shop guides often name them as a typical community fish.
The trouble starts when people think "they get along with anything" and add too many bottom dwellers. This site calculates compatibility with 22 species and adds a way to think about how crowded the bottom gets.
What this article covers:
- Compatibility with 22 species, and why some are × or △
- Where the panda and the peppered corydoras differ
- How to handle shrimp and medaka
- How to share the bottom with otocinclus, kuhli loaches and plecos
- How many to keep, and how to make sure food reaches them
○ Generally compatible (17)
- Neon tetra
- Cardinal tetra
- Rummy-nose tetra
- Guppy
- Platy
- Peppered cory
- Otocinclus
- Harlequin rasbora
- Zebra danio
- Cherry barb
- Dwarf gouramiCorydoras are especially good tank mates for dwarf gouramis (Seriously Fish (Trichogaster lalius))
- Kuhli loach
- Bristlenose pleco
- Japanese swamp shrimp
- Cherry shrimp
- Amano shrimp
- Nerite snail
△ With care (2)
- AngelfishBottom-dwelling corydoras are suggested as tank mates, but small individuals may be eaten (Tokyo Aqua Garden (angelfish)) / Temperature overlap is narrow (24–25°C)
- Tiger barbTiger barb may nip other fish's fins
× Not recommended (3)
- Betta (male)Betta (male) is aggressive and chases other fish
- MedakaNo overlap in temperature (Panda cory 22–25°C, Medaka 16–22°C) / Panda cory is a tropical fish that needs a heater; Medaka does not
- GoldfishPanda cory is small enough for Goldfish to eat / Panda cory is a tropical fish that needs a heater; Goldfish does not
Source: Judged by this site's rules from the care data of each species (see the sources of the care data table)
Here is the list above (panda corydoras), grouped by compatibility.
| Compatibility | Partners | Main reason |
|---|---|---|
| × not suitable | Betta (male), medaka, goldfish | Chases other fish, temperatures do not overlap, or big enough to swallow a cory |
| △ with conditions | Angelfish, tiger barb | Small corydoras may be eaten, or fins get nipped |
| ○ easy to keep together | The other 17 species (including shrimp and snails) | The temperatures overlap, and neither eats the other |
The key point: with corydoras, failures come less from the choice of partners than from floor space and food.
Do the panda and the peppered corydoras differ in tank mates?
The panda corydoras and the peppered corydoras get almost the same results. The one difference is the goldfish: the panda is ×, and the peppered is △.
Here is the care data for the two species side by side.
| Species | Adult size (cm) | Temperature (°C) | pH | Group size (or more) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Panda cory | 5 | 22–25 | 6–7.4 | 6 |
| Peppered cory | 7 | 22–26 | 6–7 | 5 |
Source: Seriously Fish (Corydoras panda) / Seriously Fish (Corydoras paleatus)
As the table shows, the peppered corydoras grows larger. That decides whether it fits in a goldfish's mouth.
| Partner | Panda | Peppered | Why they differ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Goldfish | × | △ | The panda fits in a goldfish's mouth. For the peppered, the only issue is that one needs a heater and the other does not |
| Medaka | × | × | For both, the temperatures do not overlap |
| Angelfish | △ | △ | Small corydoras may be eaten |
| Betta (male) | × | × | Aggressive, and chases other fish |
Seriously Fish says this about the panda: farmed fish do well within the temperature range in the table, but go downhill if the water stays warmer than that for long.
The panda does not handle warm water well, so with fish that like warm water, check the temperature overlap first.
Which fish are × with corydoras?
The three × species for the panda corydoras are the betta (male), medaka and goldfish. The reasons differ: temperament, temperature and mouth size.
| Partner | Why it is × | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Betta (male) | Aggressive, and chases other fish | Best kept alone, and keeping it with other species is the exception (Seriously Fish) |
| Medaka | The temperatures do not overlap, and only one needs a heater | As in the temperature column of the table |
| Goldfish | A panda is small enough to fit in a goldfish's mouth | Partners must be larger than the goldfish's mouth (RSPCA Australia) |
Seriously Fish says the panda should not be kept with large or aggressive fish.
Corydoras spend a lot of time resting on the bottom. If they are chased from above all the time, they may not even come out at feeding time.
None of these three × reasons can be fixed with tricks. For the betta's side, see Betta Tank Mates.
Can corydoras live with medaka?
Corydoras and medaka are ×. Neither the panda nor the peppered corydoras shares a suitable temperature with medaka, and only the corydoras needs a heater.
"Corydoras medaka" also shows up in search suggestions. Both are peaceful and use different levels of the tank, so the pair looks like it should work.
| Species | Temperature (°C) | Swimming level |
|---|---|---|
| Panda cory | 22–25 | Bottom |
| Peppered cory | 22–26 | Bottom |
| Medaka | 16–22 | Top |
Source: Seriously Fish (Corydoras panda) / Seriously Fish (Corydoras paleatus) / Seriously Fish (Oryzias latipes)
As the table shows, the top end of the medaka's range only just reaches the bottom end of the corydoras' range. Seriously Fish calls the medaka a temperate to subtropical fish.
Even at different levels, fish whose temperatures do not match cannot live in the same tank for long. On the bottom of a medaka tank, nerite snails and Neocaridina shrimp fit well, and both come out ○ in our calculation.
Can corydoras live with shrimp?
Yes. The panda corydoras is ○ with all three shrimp (Neocaridina shrimp, red cherry shrimp and Amano shrimp).
Corydoras and shrimp both look for food on the bottom. In the sources we checked, we found nothing saying corydoras eat shrimp.
Seriously Fish's panda page mentions cherry shrimp when it talks about breeding. It says the shrimp eat damaged eggs and leave the healthy ones.
What to watch is competition for food. Shrimp also gather at food that has sunk to the bottom, so check that the corydoras get enough.
If you want the shrimp to breed, keep thick clumps of plants. Aquarium Co-Op says most fish eat baby shrimp. For the shrimp's side, see Shrimp Tank Mates.
Can bottom dwellers (otocinclus, kuhli loach, pleco) live together?
Yes. The otocinclus, kuhli loach and bristlenose pleco are all ○. Floor space and food need a separate look.
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1Panda cory | · | ○ | ○ | ○ | ○ | ○ |
| 2Peppered cory | ○ | · | ○ | ○ | ○ | ○ |
| 3Otocinclus | ○ | ○ | · | ○ | ○ | △ |
| 4Kuhli loach | ○ | ○ | ○ | · | ○ | × |
| 5Bristlenose pleco | ○ | ○ | ○ | ○ | · | ○ |
| 6Japanese swamp shrimp | ○ | ○ | △ | × | ○ | · |
○ Generally compatible △ With care × Not recommended
Source: Judged by this site's rules from the care data of each species (see the sources of the care data table)
In the quick chart above, there is a × and a △ in the pairs with shrimp.
- Kuhli loach × Neocaridina shrimp: often eats baby shrimp
- Otocinclus × Neocaridina shrimp: sometimes picks at baby shrimp
Adding a kuhli loach to a tank with corydoras and shrimp creates a ×. For bottom dwellers, check compatibility with the shrimp as well as with the corydoras.
How crowded can the bottom get with corydoras tank mates?
Add up the group sizes of the bottom dwellers, then decide by floor space and whether food reaches them all. Otocinclus spend a lot of time off the bottom, so count them differently.
This is how each bottom dweller lives, according to Seriously Fish.
| Bottom dweller | How it lives | Food | Floor space guideline |
|---|---|---|---|
| Panda corydoras | Searches the sand and lives in a group | Mainly food that sinks | A small group: 45 wide × 30 cm deep |
| Peppered corydoras | Searches the sand for food | Dry food that sinks | 61 wide × 38 cm deep |
| Otocinclus | Spends a lot of time on plants and the glass | Algae and plant matter. Loses out to active fish | 45 wide × 30 cm deep |
| Kuhli loach | Burrows into sand. Rests in a huddle in gaps | Dry food that sinks | At least 60 wide × 30 cm deep |
| Bristlenose pleco | Fights over territory with its own kind and similar-looking fish | Food that sinks, and vegetables | One fish or a pair: 60 wide × 30 cm deep |
The table shows that most bottom dwellers eat sinking food on the sand. They compete for the same food in the same place.
Here is how to keep the bottom from getting crowded.
- Add up the group size of each bottom dweller
- Take the largest floor space guideline, add some room, and choose the tank
- Otocinclus stay on the glass and plants, so count them partly outside the bottom total
- Keep one bristlenose pleco, and do not add more similar-looking fish
- At feeding time, check that every bottom dweller is eating
Decide the number of bottom dwellers by floor space. Even with plenty of water, a small floor means they fight over feeding spots.
Watching one feeding each time you add a bottom dweller is the quickest early sign of crowding.
How many corydoras should you keep?
Do not keep a single corydoras. Keep at least the group size (see the table). Seriously Fish says both the panda and the peppered corydoras do better in a group.
Search suggestions show "how many corydoras" and "how many corydoras in a 60 cm tank." The lower limit is the group size in the table above.
The upper limit depends on the floor space of the tank. The source says a base of 45 wide × 30 cm deep is enough for a small group of pandas.
| What to decide | What to look at |
|---|---|
| Lower limit | The group size (see the table) |
| Upper limit | Floor space, and the number of other bottom dwellers |
| Mixing | Fish of the same species form a group more easily |
| Food | Enough sinking food to reach every fish |
Once you have a full group, fit the other bottom dwellers into the space that is left. That makes the choice easier.
Which fish should you choose for the top and middle with corydoras?
For the top and middle, choose small, peaceful fish such as neon tetras, rasboras, guppies and the platy. All of them are ○ with corydoras.
Corydoras stay on the bottom, tetras and rasboras in the middle, and guppies and platies at the top. Because the levels are split, they do not compete for swimming space.
Pairs with neon tetras are covered in detail in Neon Tetra Tank Mates.
Seriously Fish's page on the peppered corydoras names small fish such as tetras as partners. It also names corydoras as especially good partners for the dwarf gourami.
Choose the upper fish by how many there are and how they eat, so they do not eat everything before it reaches the corydoras.
What if food does not reach the corydoras?
Give corydoras their own food that sinks to the bottom. Seriously Fish says they go downhill if they live only on what the upper fish leave.
In a community tank, the middle fish eat floating and drifting food first. Much less reaches the bottom than you might think.
| Problem | Cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| The corydoras get thin | They rely on leftovers | Give sinking tablets or pellets separately |
| Shrimp or otocinclus get the food first | There is only one feeding spot on the bottom | Drop food in 2 or 3 places |
| They only eat at night | The upper fish are busy during the day | Also feed a little before the lights go off |
| The substrate gets dirty | Leftover food stays on the bottom | Feed less, and clean the substrate |
Corydoras food is not "leftovers." Set an amount that is theirs.
Why are corydoras △ with angelfish and tiger barbs?
The angelfish may eat small corydoras. The tiger barb sometimes nips the fins of other fish.
Tokyo Aqua Garden names corydoras, which stay on the bottom, as partners for the angelfish. It also says that small fish can be eaten.
| Partner | Compatibility | Condition |
|---|---|---|
| Angelfish | △ | Only once the corydoras are too big to fit in its mouth |
| Tiger barb | △ | Keep tiger barbs as a group so their nipping is spread out |
| Dwarf gourami | ○ | Corydoras are an especially good partner (Seriously Fish) |
Add △ partners only when the corydoras are big enough and the partner's numbers are right.
What should you set up before adding corydoras tank mates?
Before you mix fish with corydoras, give them a bottom of fine sand. Keep new fish in a separate tank first, then add them.
Seriously Fish recommends river sand for the panda and says to keep the bottom very clean. Its peppered corydoras page says poorly kept gravel can damage the barbels.
Here are the steps in order.
- Use fine sand on the bottom, and siphon off the dirt on top often
- They do not handle poor water well, so set a schedule for water changes
- Keep new fish in a separate tank for at least 30 days (University of Florida)
- Get them used to the main tank's water little by little, then release them
With corydoras, setting up the bottom before choosing partners prevents most failures.
What are common mistakes with corydoras tank mates?
There are three common mistakes: adding too many bottom dwellers, feeding them only leftovers, and pairing them with medaka or goldfish.
| Common mistake | What happens | What to do instead |
|---|---|---|
| Adding bottom dwellers one after another | They fight over feeding spots on the bottom | Add up the group sizes and check the space |
| Feeding only leftovers | The corydoras get thin | Give food that sinks, separately |
| Pairing with medaka | The temperatures do not match | Pair tropical fish with tropical fish |
| Pairing with goldfish | A panda fits in its mouth | Keep goldfish in a separate tank |
| Adding a kuhli loach to a shrimp tank | Baby shrimp get eaten | If you want the shrimp to breed, do not add kuhli loaches |
| Keeping them on coarse gravel | The barbels can get damaged | Use fine sand and keep it clean |
If it is not working, move the fish doing the chasing, or the weakened fish, to another tank or behind a divider. The basic fix for a bad pair is to separate them, not to make them put up with it.
What terms come up with corydoras tank mates?
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Bottom dweller (底もの) | A fish or shrimp that lives on the bottom of the tank, such as corydoras, loaches and plecos |
| Bottom level (底層) | The area near the bottom of the tank. Where corydoras swim |
| Group size (群れの目安) | The smallest number of its own kind a fish needs to live calmly |
| Sinking food (沈むエサ) | Food that sinks and reaches the bottom, such as tablets and sinking pellets |
| Barbels (ヒゲ) | The feelers around a corydoras' mouth that it uses to find food |
| Territory (縄張り) | The area a fish guards as its own |
| Baby shrimp (稚エビ) | Newborn, small shrimp |
| Quarantine tank (様子見の水槽) | A tank where new fish are kept apart before going into the main tank |
What else goes with corydoras tank mates?
Corydoras tank mates connect to the compatibility of the upper fish, shrimp and other fish. Go on to the next article from the partner you are curious about.
- Partners in the middle: Neon Tetra Tank Mates
- Shrimp and snails: Shrimp Tank Mates
- Partners near the top: Guppy Tank Mates
- All 22 species at once: Tropical Fish Tank Mates Chart
Tank mates by speciesNeon Tetra Tank Mates: 22 Species Rated ○△× with Reasons, plus Medaka, Shrimp, CardinalsNeon tetra tank mates for 22 species, rated ○△× with reasons. Bettas, angelfish and goldfish are ×. Medaka, tiger barbs, shrimp and cardinals, with sources.
Tank-mate chartTropical Fish Tank Mates Chart: 23 Species Rated ○△× with Reasons, Safe Sets and MistakesCheck tropical fish tank mates in order: temperature, size, fins and temperament, then shrimp. A ○△× chart for 23 species with reasons, safe sets and mistakes.
Shrimp and snailsWhich Fish Can Live with Shrimp? Neocaridina and Amano Ratings, Hiding Places, AcclimationShrimp tank mates rated ○△× with reasons for Neocaridina and Amano shrimp. Fish that eat baby shrimp vs adults, willow moss hiding places and acclimation steps.
Tank mates by speciesGuppy Tank Mates: Good and Bad Partners, plus Shrimp, Fry and Keeping Guppies with PlatiesGuppies are ○ with most small, peaceful fish. Guppy tank mates for 22 species rated ○△× with reasons, fin nippers, platies, shrimp, medaka, fry and tank size.Frequently asked questions about corydoras tank mates
What fish can live with corydoras?
Small, peaceful fish, shrimp and snails. Of the 22 species on this site, 17 are ○ with the panda corydoras.
Avoid the betta (male), medaka and goldfish. Pick two species to see the compatibility and the reason.
Can corydoras live with Neocaridina shrimp?
Yes. Corydoras and Neocaridina shrimp are ○.
They compete for food on the bottom, so make sure there is sinking food for the corydoras.
Can you keep a single corydoras?
We do not recommend it. Corydoras live in groups, so keep at least the group size (see the table).
Fish of the same species form a group more easily.
Can corydoras live with plecos?
Yes. The panda corydoras and the bristlenose pleco are ○.
The bristlenose pleco fights over territory with its own kind and similar-looking fish. Keep one pleco and leave plenty of floor space.
Can corydoras live with goldfish?
We do not recommend it. The panda is ×, and the peppered corydoras is △.
A panda is small enough to fit in a goldfish's mouth. Goldfish need no heater, so for temperature as well, separate tanks are better.
How many corydoras can a tank hold?
The upper limit depends on the tank's floor space. Together with the other bottom dwellers, keep only as many as can all reach the food.
Check at feeding time that every corydoras is eating, and you will know.
Sources
- Seriously Fish: Corydoras panda (river sand, a clean bottom, floor space, goes downhill in warm water over time, sinking food, do not rely on leftovers, not with large or aggressive fish, cherry shrimp and eggs)
- Seriously Fish: Corydoras paleatus (sandy bottom, poorly kept gravel and barbels, floor space, keep in a group, tetras and similar fish are good partners)
- Seriously Fish: Otocinclus macrospilus (spends a lot of time off the bottom, loses food to active fish, floor space)
- Seriously Fish: Pangio semicincta (kuhli loach. Burrows into sand, rests in gaps, sinking food, floor space)
- Seriously Fish: Ancistrus cf. cirrhosus (bristlenose pleco. Territory with its own kind and similar-looking fish, floor space)
- Seriously Fish: Trichogaster lalius (corydoras are especially good partners for the dwarf gourami)
- Seriously Fish: Betta splendens (the betta is best kept alone)
- Seriously Fish: Oryzias latipes (medaka are temperate to subtropical fish)
- RSPCA Australia: How should I care for my goldfish? (goldfish partners must be larger than the goldfish's mouth)
- Tokyo Aqua Garden: Angelfish (エンゼルフィッシュ, in Japanese. Corydoras on the bottom are good partners, but small fish can be eaten)
- Tokyo Aqua Garden: Kuhli loach (クーリーローチ, in Japanese. Often eats baby shrimp)
- Aquarium Co-Op: Cherry Shrimp Tank Mates (most fish eat baby shrimp, otocinclus leave adult shrimp alone)
- UF/IFAS EDIS FA006: Ichthyophthirius multifiliis (White Spot) Infections in Fish (watch new fish for at least 30 days)
- UF/IFAS EDIS FA124: The Ornamental Fish Trade (quarantine before adding, acclimation)
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