Catfish & plecos · Osteogaster aenea

Bronze corydoras care guide

Also called: Bronze cory, Bronze catfish, Albino cory, Albino corydoras, Aeneus cory, Corydoras aeneus

The bronze corydoras is a hardy, peaceful South American catfish that spends its day sifting the bottom for food. It is one of the easiest corys for beginners, but it needs a group of 6 or more, soft sand and its own sinking food.

Bronze corydoras need a tank of at least 20 gallons (76 L), a group of 6 or more, and water at 21–26°C (70–79°F) with a pH of 6–8. They grow to about 7 cm (2.8 in) and are peaceful.

Plan a tank with bronze corydorasSee all tank mates

Bronze corydoras quick facts

Scientific nameOsteogaster aenea
FamilyCallichthyidae
OriginWidespread in South America east of the Andes, from Colombia and Trinidad to the Río de la Plata basin (nearly all sold are captive-bred)
Adult size7 cm (2.8 in)
Minimum tank20 gallons (76 L), at least 75 cm (30 in) long
Temperature21–26°C (70–79°F)
pH6–8
Hardness (GH)2–15 dGH
Group size6 or more (shoaling fish)
TemperamentPeaceful
Swims atBottom
DietOmnivore
Care levelEasy
Lifespan5–10 years
Safe with shrimp?Mostly (eats baby shrimp)
Safe with plants?Yes
  • Needs sand or smooth, fine gravel to protect its barbels and belly.

Tank setup

Give a group of 6 at least 20 gallons (76 L), ideally a 20 gallon long (30 in / 76 cm) or bigger, because these active fish use the whole floor. Use fine sand or very smooth gravel so they can dig without wearing down their barbels. Add plants, wood or caves for shade, and leave a small gap under the lid because they dash up to gulp air.

How many bronze corydoras in a tank?

The smallest common tank that suits bronze corydoras is a 20 gallon long. Here is roughly how many fit in each size when they are the only fish, based on adult size and waste output. Leave room if you want tank mates.

TankBronze corydoras (alone)
3 gallonToo small
5 gallonToo small
10 gallonToo small
15 gallonToo small
20 gallonToo small
20 gallon long6–11
29 gallon6–17
40 gallon6–23
55 gallon6–32
75 gallon6–44
125 gallon6–73

What you need for bronze corydoras

Sized for a 20 gallon long tank, the smallest common size that suits a group of 6 bronze corydoras. For a different tank or a mix of fish, use the stocking calculator for a list sized to your plan.

Tank and equipment

Food and extras for bronze corydoras

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Water parameters

Keep the water at 21–26 °C (70–79 °F), pH 6.0–8.0 and 2–15 dGH. Bronze corys adapt to most tap water, but ammonia, high nitrate and dirty substrate quickly lead to red, worn-down barbels. Change about 25% of the water each week and lightly vacuum the open sand.

Best tank mates for bronze corydoras

These popular species share bronze corydoras' water needs and temperament. See the full list of 105 good matches.

Avoid keeping bronze corydoras with

  • Oscar: Oscar can eat bronze corydoras: they're small enough to fit in its mouth once it's grown.
  • Chinese algae eater: Chinese algae eater is aggressive and will bully or injure peaceful bronze corydoras.
  • Convict cichlid: Convict cichlid is aggressive and will bully or injure peaceful bronze corydoras.
  • Discus: They need different temperatures: Bronze corydoras 21–26°C (70–79°F), discus 28–30°C (82–86°F).
  • Electric yellow cichlid: Electric yellow cichlid is a Lake Malawi cichlid. It needs a Lake Malawi tank: hard, alkaline water (pH 7.5–8.5), plenty of rockwork and other cichlids from the same lake. Bronze corydoras don't belong in that setup.
  • German blue ram: They need different temperatures: Bronze corydoras 21–26°C (70–79°F), german blue ram 27–30°C (81–86°F).

Feeding

They are bottom-feeding omnivores, not clean-up crew. Feed sinking pellets or wafers every day, plus frozen or live bloodworm, daphnia or brine shrimp a few times a week. If fast midwater fish grab everything first, drop food near the corys' resting spot or just after the lights go off.

Behavior

A calm, social fish that forages in a loose group and often rests in a pile with its tank mates. It ignores other fish and suits most peaceful community tanks, but goldfish and big cichlids may swallow or harass it. Like all corys it has sharp fin spines that can sting, so net it gently and do not hold it in bare hands.

Breeding

Bronze corys often spawn in ordinary community tanks. Condition a group with about two males per female on live or frozen food, then do a large water change with slightly cooler water to mimic the rainy season. Females stick their eggs to the glass or plants, and the adults will eat them, so move the eggs to a separate container. They hatch in about 3–4 days, and the fry take microworms or baby brine shrimp.

Tips from experienced keepers

  • Buy at least 6 bronze corys. They shoal with their own kind and stay shy and hidden in tiny groups.
  • Use sand or smooth gravel and keep it clean. Worn or missing barbels usually point to dirty substrate or poor water.
  • Most albino corys sold are bronze corys, so they need exactly the same care.
  • Feed sinking food after lights out if other fish steal it. Corys cannot live on leftovers alone.
  • Quick trips to the surface for air are normal. Constant dashing upward can mean low oxygen or bad water, so test it.

Frequently asked questions

How many bronze corydoras should be kept together?

Keep at least 6, and more if the tank allows. A bigger group is more active, more confident and spends more time out in the open.

Are albino corys the same as bronze corys?

Yes. Most albino corys are a captive-bred color form of the bronze cory, so their size, care and water needs are the same. Avoid albinos that have been injected with dye to make them colorful.

Can bronze corydoras live with shrimp?

Yes. They leave adult dwarf shrimp such as cherry shrimp alone, but they may eat newborn shrimplets they find while foraging. Dense moss gives the babies somewhere to hide.

What is the new scientific name of the bronze cory?

Recent research split the old Corydoras genus, and the bronze cory now sits in Osteogaster as Osteogaster aenea. It is the same fish, and most shops still sell it as Corydoras aeneus.

Sources

We checked these references when writing this page. Values are for healthy long-term keeping, not survival limits. Last reviewed 2026-10-13. See our editorial policy.