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Encyclopedia / Catfish & Plecos / Bronze corydoras
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Variations

4 kinds · tap one for a closer look

Bronze corydoras

Osteogaster aenea · Corydoras aeneus, Cory, Cory catfish, Corydoras, Bronze cory, Albino cory

Peaceful shoal that sifts sand.

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7.5 cmBody length, without tail ✓
22–26 °CTemperature ✓
6–8pH ✓
72 LSmallest tank ✓
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Tank mates
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Not recommended
  • White cloud mountain minnow needs cool water and makes a lot of waste, while Bronze corydoras is tropical.
  • Only a narrow temperature range suits both: exactly 22 °C.
Not recommended
  • Giant gourami eats animals up to about 10 cm. Bronze corydoras only grows to 7.5 cm.
Not recommended
  • Oscar eats animals up to about 12 cm. Bronze corydoras only grows to 7.5 cm.
With conditions
  • Only a narrow temperature range suits both: exactly 22 °C.
With conditions
  • Only a narrow temperature range suits both: exactly 26 °C.
Compatible
Compatible
Compatible
Compatible
Compatible

432 species in our list are a good match.

Facts checked against sources on 16 Oct 2026. ✓ means a source backs it; ? means no reliable source yet. See sources

Care and water

Hardness ✓2–15 dGH
Group size ✓6 or more
Temperament ✓Peaceful
Swims at ✓Bottom
Care level ✓Easy
Diet Omnivore
Lifespan ?Unknown
Size in shops 2–3 cm
Growth Medium

Behavior

Peaceful shoal that sifts sand.

  • sand

Food

Sinking pellets and wafers, frozen bloodworms. Feed them; they are not just cleaners.

Tap a food to see what it is.

Male or female

Females grow larger and are rounder and broader-bodied than males, especially when full of eggs; easiest to see from above.

Health

Common problems. Tap one to see the signs. This is a guide, not a diagnosis.

Breeding

Egg-scatterer · Moderate

Eggs are usually laid on the aquarium glass; spawning is triggered by a large (50-70%) cooler water change, ideally with about 2 males per female.

Pairing

Keep a group of 6 or more with extra males. Females are rounder and larger.

Setup

A 10-20 gallon (40-75 L) tank with fine sand, plants and a sponge filter. Add a spawning mop or plants. 22-26 C.

What starts it

A big cool water change (rain simulation) after a few days of rich food.

Eggs

Up to about 200 eggs per spawning; eggs hatch in 3-4 days (about 5 days at 22 °C).

Raising the fry

Feed microworms and baby brine shrimp. Remove eggs to a hatch tray to avoid egg-eating. Fry grow quickly.

Common mistakes
  • Not doing cool water changes
  • Leaving eggs with adults
  • Using sharp gravel
Full breeding guide, day-by-day plan and simulator →

Where it lives in the wild

RegionWidespread in South America – from Trinidad and Venezuela to the La Plata basin
Rivers and lakesMany river systems of South America, including Trinidad
HabitatShallow, sandy or muddy stream edges
Native rangeAbout 3,000 km across
See it on the world map

Plants that suit it

AnubiasJava fernJava mossAmazon swordCryptocoryneDwarf sagittariaBacopa

The story of the bronze corydoras

First described by Theodore Gill in 1858 from Trinidad as Hoplosoma aeneum. It can gulp air at the surface and absorb oxygen through the gut wall. Now Osteogaster aenea; nearly all aquarium fish are farmed, and albino and long-finned strains exist.

Theodore Gill described the bronze corydoras in 1858 from Trinidad. It is one of the most widespread corydoras and has been kept since the early days of the hobby. An albino form is very common in shops.

First described by Theodore Gill in 1858.

  • It can gulp air at the surface and absorb oxygen through its gut.
  • Females carry eggs between their pelvic fins to stick them on surfaces.
  • Scientists think 'bronze corydoras' may actually be several similar species.

Sources

16 facts checked with sources