Panda Cory Catfish – Corydoras Panda
Panda Cory Catfish – Corydoras Panda
Couldn't load pickup availability
Quick Care
Essential care information at a glance
What Fish Will I Receive?
What Fish Will I Receive?
Photos represent the species and typical appearance of the fish you will receive. Because Corydoras are living animals, individual size, coloration, markings, and pattern may vary naturally from fish to fish.
Why You'll Love Panda Cory Catfish
Why You'll Love Panda Cory Catfish
✓ Peaceful community fish
✓ Active bottom-dwelling behavior
✓ Best enjoyed in social groups
✓ Excellent for planted aquariums
✓ Unique black-and-cream panda markings
✓ Compatible with many peaceful tropical fish
Healthy, Active Corydoras
Healthy, Active Corydoras
Every Corydoras offered by Tropicflow Aquatic is selected for healthy body condition, active behavior, clear eyes, intact barbels and fins, and normal swimming behavior before shipping.
Best Substrate for Corydoras
Best Substrate for Corydoras
Fine sand or another smooth, non-abrasive substrate is recommended. Corydoras spend much of their time searching through the substrate with their sensitive barbels.
Acclimation Directions
Acclimation Directions
1 — Open & Inspect
Check your fish immediately after delivery.
2 — Temperature Acclimation
Float the closed bag for approximately 15–20 minutes.
3 — Gradually Introduce Tank Water
Slowly add small amounts of aquarium water.
4 — Transfer the Fish
Gently move the Cory into the aquarium without pouring shipping water into the tank.
Keep aquarium lights low during the first several hours and allow the fish time to settle.
Water Parameters
Water Parameters
- Temperature: 68-77F
- pH: 6.0 - 7.5
- GH: 2-12 dGH
- Ammonia: 0 ppm
- Nitrate: 0 ppm
- Nitrate: Keep Low
- Water Flow: Gental-moderate
- Oxygenation: Good
Stable water is more important than chasing an exact number. Avoid sudden changes in temperature, pH, or hardness.
Flat Rate Shipping As Low As $25
Flat Rate Shipping As Low As $25
At Tropicflow, we strive to make the shipping process as affordable and convenient as possible for our customers. Our flat rate shipping starts as low as $25, and the more fish you purchase, the more you save on shipping fees. We encourage our customers to combine as many fish as possible in each order to take advantage of these cost-saving opportunities.
The Panda Cory Catfish, commonly known as Panda Cory or Panda Corydoras, is a small, peaceful freshwater bottom-dwelling catfish known for its cream-colored body and distinctive black panda-like markings. Best kept in groups of 6 or more, Panda Corys are an excellent choice for peaceful planted and community aquariums with a soft substrate and stable water conditions.
The Panda Cory Catfish (Corydoras panda) is one of the most recognizable and popular Corydoras-type catfish in the freshwater aquarium hobby. Its pale cream-to-pink body, dark eye mask, black dorsal marking, and dark patch near the base of the tail create the unmistakable panda-like appearance that gives this fish its name.
Peaceful, social, and constantly active along the aquarium floor, Panda Corys are especially enjoyable when kept as a proper group. They spend much of their time exploring the substrate, searching for food, resting together, and interacting with other members of their school.
Taxonomy note: This species has traditionally been known in the aquarium trade as Corydoras panda. Under newer scientific classification, it may also be listed as Hoplisoma panda. Both names refer to the fish commonly sold as the Panda Cory Catfish.
Panda Cory Catfish Care Information
| Care Requirement | Panda Cory Information |
|---|---|
| Common Name | Panda Cory, Panda Cory Catfish, Panda Corydoras |
| Scientific Name | Corydoras panda / Hoplisoma panda |
| Adult Size | Approximately 1.5–2 inches |
| Temperature | 68–77°F (20–25°C) |
| pH Range | 6.0–7.5 |
| Minimum Tank Size | 20+ gallons recommended |
| Recommended Group Size | 6+ Panda Corys |
| Temperament | Peaceful & social |
| Diet | Omnivore |
| Tank Level | Bottom Dweller |
| Care Level | Beginner-Friendly |
| Origin | Upper Amazon Basin, South America |
What Does a Panda Cory Catfish Look Like?
Panda Cory Catfish are named for their bold black-and-light coloration. The body is generally pale cream, silver, or slightly pinkish, contrasted by a dark marking around the eyes, a black patch on the dorsal fin, and another dark marking near the base of the tail.
These markings give Corydoras panda its characteristic panda appearance and make the species easy to identify in a freshwater community aquarium.
Panda Cory Behavior & Group Size
Panda Corys are peaceful, social fish that should not be kept alone. We recommend keeping a group of at least 6 Panda Cory Catfish. Larger groups can display more natural social and foraging behavior when aquarium space allows.
They spend most of their time near the bottom of the tank but may occasionally swim upward through the aquarium or quickly visit the water surface. Their active group behavior makes them an excellent choice for aquarists looking to add movement to the lower portion of a community aquarium.
Ideal Aquarium Setup for Panda Corydoras
A 20-gallon or larger aquarium provides a good starting point for a group of Panda Corys. Because they spend so much time searching along the aquarium floor, usable bottom space is especially important.
A soft sand substrate or smooth fine gravel is recommended. Avoid sharp or abrasive substrate that may damage their sensitive barbels while they forage.
Plants, driftwood, smooth rocks, leaf litter, and shaded areas can create a comfortable and natural-looking environment while still leaving open sections of substrate for the group to explore.
Panda Cory Water Parameters
Panda Cory Catfish generally do well at temperatures around 68–77°F with a pH of approximately 6.0–7.5. More important than constantly adjusting the water to reach a specific number is maintaining a stable, fully cycled aquarium with clean, well-oxygenated water.
Always introduce Panda Corys to an established aquarium with appropriate filtration. Sudden swings in temperature, pH, ammonia, or nitrite can place unnecessary stress on newly introduced fish.
What Do Panda Cory Catfish Eat?
Panda Corys are omnivores and should receive a varied diet formulated for bottom-dwelling fish. Quality sinking pellets or wafers can be used as a staple food and supplemented with appropriately sized frozen or live foods such as brine shrimp, daphnia, or bloodworms.
Panda Cory Tank Mates
Their peaceful temperament makes Panda Cory Catfish suitable for many freshwater community aquariums. Good tank mates generally include other peaceful species that are compatible with the same temperature and water conditions.
Potential tank mates may include small tetras, rasboras, peaceful guppies, peaceful dwarf fish, and other non-aggressive community species. Avoid large predatory fish or aggressive tank mates that may chase, injure, or prevent Panda Corys from feeding.
Why Choose Panda Cory Catfish?
- Distinctive panda-like black and cream coloration
- Peaceful temperament for community aquariums
- Fun, active bottom-dwelling behavior
- Excellent choice for planted freshwater aquariums
- Small adult size compared with many other catfish
- Enjoyable social behavior when kept in a proper group
- Suitable for both newer and experienced freshwater fish keepers
Before Buying Panda Cory Catfish
Panda Corys are social fish. For their long-term wellbeing and more natural behavior, plan to keep 6 or more rather than purchasing a single Panda Cory. Make sure your aquarium is fully cycled and that the tank's temperature, water parameters, tank mates, and available bottom space are appropriate before adding them.
Panda Cory Catfish FAQ
How big do Panda Cory Catfish get?
Adult Panda Cory Catfish generally reach approximately 1.5–2 inches, making them one of the smaller popular Corydoras-type catfish kept in freshwater aquariums.
How many Panda Corys should be kept together?
Keep Panda Corys in a group of at least 6 fish. They are highly social, and keeping a proper group encourages more natural and confident behavior.
What temperature is best for Panda Corydoras?
A general recommended temperature range for Panda Corys is approximately 68–77°F (20–25°C). Choose tank mates that are comfortable within a compatible temperature range.
Are Panda Cory Catfish peaceful?
Yes. Panda Cory Catfish are generally very peaceful and are best kept with other non-aggressive freshwater community fish.
Do Panda Corys clean the bottom of the aquarium?
Panda Corys naturally forage along the substrate and may eat available food, but they should not be considered a replacement for aquarium maintenance. They require their own sinking foods and regular aquarium care just like other fish.
Is Corydoras panda the same as Hoplisoma panda?
Yes. The Panda Cory has traditionally been known as Corydoras panda and is still widely sold under that name. Newer taxonomic classification places the species in the genus Hoplisoma, making Hoplisoma panda the updated scientific combination.
Panda Cory Catfish at Tropicflow Aquatic
Add the charming Panda Cory Catfish to your freshwater community aquarium. With their iconic panda markings, peaceful personality, and active group behavior, Corydoras panda are a favorite choice for aquarists who want an attractive and social bottom-dwelling fish.
Customer Review
