No photo yet
Sign in to submit the first photo
Bronze Corydoras
Corydoras aeneus
Animalia›Chordata›Actinopterygii›Callichthyidae
📍 South America
The bronze corydoras is one of the most widely kept bottom-dwellers in the hobby. Its metallic bronze-green flanks and peaceful temperament make it a staple of community tanks. Like all corydoras it requires fine sand to protect its sensitive barbels and prefers groups of six or more.
Care Guide
Diet
Bronze corydoras are omnivores that require a varied diet of sinking pellets, algae wafers, and frozen foods like bloodworms and daphnia. Feed small amounts once daily, ensuring food reaches the substrate where they forage. They will also consume leftover food from other tank inhabitants, making them useful cleanup crew members.
Behavior
Bronze corydoras are peaceful, social bottom-dwellers that spend most of their time foraging through the substrate using their sensitive barbels. They are schooling fish and become more active and confident in groups of six or more. They are nocturnal to crepuscular, showing peak activity during dawn and dusk hours.
Breeding
Breeding in captivity is possible but requires specific conditions including cooler water temperatures (20-22°C), frequent water changes, and conditioning with live foods. Males will chase females in a distinctive T-position spawning behavior, with females depositing eggs in small clusters. Fry are relatively easy to raise on infusoria and finely crushed flake food once they become free-swimming.
Tank Mates
Similar water parameters and peaceful temperament; occupy mid-water column
Compatible water requirements and schooling behavior; non-aggressive
Both are peaceful bottom-dwellers with similar care needs and water parameters
Peaceful mid-water dweller; ensure adequate space to avoid territorial disputes
Peaceful invertebrates sharing similar water parameters; corydoras may occasionally eat shrimplets
Peaceful algae eater; shares bottom habitat without competing for food
Common Diseases
Barbel Erosion
Shortened, frayed, or missing barbels; reduced foraging behavior
Ensure fine sand substrate (not gravel); improve water quality with frequent changes; provide varied diet with sinking foods
Ich (Ichthyophthirius multifiliis)
White spots on body and fins; increased scratching against objects; labored breathing
Raise temperature gradually to 28-30°C; perform daily water changes; use aquarium salt or ich medication as directed
Fin Rot
Frayed or deteriorating fins; discoloration at fin edges; lethargy
Improve water quality with frequent water changes; remove decaying food; treat with antibacterial medication if severe
Dropsy
Bloated abdomen; pinecone-like scale appearance; loss of appetite; lethargy
Isolate affected fish; perform frequent water changes; provide quality diet; treat with antibiotics if caught early
Community Photos
0 photosPhotos are added when members log a tank with this species and upload a photo in their tank journal. Add your own tank to contribute.
No photos yet — add a tank with Bronze Corydoras to be the first!
Sign in to vote.
Tips from the community 💡
0 tipsReal experiences, care advice, and keeper notes. Finn learns from these too.
Sign in to share your experience.
No community tips yet — be the first to share your knowledge!
Tanks keeping this 🐟
Kept by 2 hobbyistsCommunity tanks featuring Bronze Corydoras.
Quick Facts
- diet
- Omnivore – sinking pellets, wafers, bloodworms, daphnia
- lifespan
- 10+ years
- max size
- 7 cm (2.8 in)
- tank size
- 20 gallons minimum
- school size
- 6+
- temperament
- Peaceful, schooling
Water it likes
- ph
- 6.0–7.5
- ammonia
- 0 ppm
- nitrate
- <20 ppm
- hardness
- 2–15 dGH
- temperature
- 72–82°F (22–28°C)