Last Updated on March 12, 2024 by Aftab Tariq
Cory catfish types include the Pygmy Cory, Albino Cory, Bronze Cory, and Peppered Cory. Corydoras catfish, also known as Cory catfish, are loved by those who have them as pets. These friendly fish are strong, pretty, and active. They can also help you keep your fish tank clean.
It’s best to keep most Cory catfish types in groups because they can feel lonely alone. Cory catfish should only be kept with other small or medium sized peaceful fish. Like all catfish, Cory catfish mainly eat at the bottom of the tank and look for food scraps. However, they can also make some mess while poking around the tank’s gravel or sand.
Cory catfish come in hundreds of distinct species, each with unique characteristics, including size, price, appearance, preferred water parameters, and more. Now, talk about the 11 popular Cory catfish species list and Cory catfish types you can add to your aquarium.
11 Best Cory Catfish Types
The following is a list of the 11 most incredible cory catfish types that you should have in your aquarium:
1: Three Stripe Cory (Corydoras Trilineatus)
The Three Stripe Cory is another small Cory catfish that looks quite similar to the Julii Cory. They have spots on their bodies and a black spot on their dorsal fin, just like the Julii Cory. Sometimes, people mistake them for Julii Cory, but there’s one difference—they don’t have connected spots on their heads.
These little catfish come from South America, especially Brazil and Colombia. They grow to about 2.5 inches and are like warm water, with a pH between 6.0 and 8.0 and a temperature between 72–79 °F (22–26 °C).
It would help if you kept your Three Stripe Cory in a tank that’s at least 10 gallons. They need hiding spots in their tank and some open areas, too, so they feel comfortable.
You can give them sinking pellets or frozen bloodworms in the aquarium for food. If you can’t find a real Julii Cory, adding a Three Stripe Cory to your aquarium is a good alternative.
| Corydoras trilineatus Overview | |
| Fish Size | Up to 2.5 inches |
| Fish Nature | Peaceful |
| Tank Size | Minimum 10 gallons |
| Tank Condition | Temperature 72°F to 79°F
pH 6 – 8 |
2: Julii Cory (Corydoras Julii)
The Julii Cory, also called Corydoras Julii, is a beautiful cory catfish found in stores. They stand out because of their delicate spotted pattern and a black mark on their dorsal fin.
These small catfish come from Brazil and are sometimes mistaken for another kind called Corydoras trilineatus. The Julii Cory is one of the smallest fish in the Cory family, growing only 2 3 inches long.
They’re calm fish and get along well with others in a community tank. It would help if you kept your Julii Corys in a tank that’s at least 20 gallons. While their tanks don’t need lots of plants, having some plants gives them a safe hiding spot. Adding floating plants can be a good idea if your tank is well lit.
Julii Corys eat both plants and animals. They like to eat food that sinks to the bottom of the tank so that you can feed those sinking pellets or flakes. Their favourite food is bloodworms, so you can also give them frozen bloodworms as a treat.
| Corydoras julii Overview | |
| Fish Size | Up to 2Â 3 inches |
| Fish Nature | Peaceful |
| Tank Size | Minimum 20 gallons |
| Tank Condition | Temperature
72°F to 80°F pH 5.5 – 7.5 |
3: Pygmy Corydoras (Corydoras Pygmaeus)
If you have a small fish tank and want tiny catfish, you might like the pygmy corydoras. These little fish come from South America, especially Brazil. They’re known for their small size and have black and green spots on their bodies.
Pygmy corydoras are some of the smallest catfish around. They usually grow to about 0.75 1.0 inch long, but sometimes they can reach 1.3 inches.
They’re very calm and get along well with other small fish. You can keep them with similar sized fish in a community tank. A 10 gallon tank is big enough for them as long as there’s plenty of space at the top. Keep the water temperature between 72–79 °F and the pH between 6.0–8.0.
One thing that separates pygmy corydoras is that they don’t just stay at the bottom of the tank. They swim from the middle to the bottom and mostly eat from there. Sinking pellets are their best food, but they also like brine shrimp and bloodworms.
| Corydoras pygmaeus Overview | |
| Fish Size | Up to 0.75Â 1.0 inches |
| Fish Nature | Peaceful |
| Tank Size | Minimum 10 gallons |
| Tank Condition | Temperature72°F to 79°F
pH 6.0– 8.0 |
4: Bronze Corydoras (Corydoras Aeneus)
The Bronze Corydoras is a famous catfish for fish tanks. It comes from South America, especially Colombia, and is bred in large numbers worldwide. These fish have a pink or yellow body with a white belly, and their back and head are blue grey. Their fins can be pink or yellow, too.
Like many other cory catfish, female Bronze corydoras are more significant than males. They’re social and peaceful, so they can live with different types of corydoras.
You’ll need at least a 20 gallon tank for Bronze Corydoras. They’re a bit shy, so it’s good to give them places to hide, like plants and driftwood. In the aquarium, they eat insects, worms, flakes, pellets, and frozen food.
| Corydoras aeneus Overview | |
| Fish Size | Up to 2.5 inches |
| Fish Nature | Peaceful |
| Tank Size | Minimum 20 gallons |
| Tank Condition | Temperature 68°F to 82°F
pH 6 – 8 |
5: Panda Corydoras (Corydoras Panda)
Panda Corydoras, also called Corydoras panda, are cute fish with black patches around their eyes that look like a panda’s. They come from big rivers in South America. These fish grow up to about 2.5 inches and are friendly with other fish that stay near the bottom of the tank. They get along well in a tank with small to medium sized fish.
A tank of at least 10 gallons is fine, but more giant tanks, like 20 to 30 gallons, are better because they’re lively swimmers. The water in their tank should be slightly acidic to neutral, with a pH of 6 to 7.
Remember, panda corydoras need clean water without any salt, so it’s essential to have a filter and change the water often. Their tank should have plenty of plants and hiding spots to give them shade from bright lights.
As omnivores, panda Corydoras like both live and frozen meaty foods. They especially enjoy brine shrimp and bloodworms. Just feed them enough so the food reaches the bottom of the tank.
| Corydoras panda Overview | |
| Fish Size | Up to 2.5 inches |
| Fish Nature | Peaceful |
| Tank Size | Minimum 10 gallons |
| Tank Condition | Temperature
68°F to 79°F pH 6 – 7 |
6: Bandit Corydoras (Corydoras Metae)
The Bandit Corydoras has been popular in the aquarium trade for a while. It got its name from being first discovered in the Orinoco River in Colombia. It’s also called the masked corydoras because of the black mask like pattern over its eyes.
This peaceful fish is excellent for community tanks. It grows to about 2 inches long, so a 10 gallon tank is enough for them. Adding plants and driftwood gives them hiding spots they like.
For food, give them flakes or sinking pellets daily. They also enjoy treats like bloodworms and brine shrimp.
| Corydoras metae Overview | |
| Fish Size | Up to 2 inches |
| Fish Nature | Peaceful |
| Tank Size | Minimum 10 gallons |
| Tank Condition | Temperature 72°F to 79°F
pH 6.5–7.0 |
7: Emerald Corydoras (Corydoras Splendens)
The Emerald Corydoras is a fascinating fish with a shiny green body on its lower parts. Sometimes, they’re called green cory or emerald catfish, but their scientific name is Corydoras splendens. These fish initially come from the Amazon Basin in South America.
Like other cory catfish, they’re trendy in freshwater aquariums because they’re peaceful and easy to care for. They get along well with other fish in a community tank.
Emerald Corydoras can grow up to 3.5 inches long, so you’ll need a tank that’s at least 20–30 gallons. Keep the water temperature between 68°F to 82°F and the pH between, 5.8 – 8.0. They’re used to regular light, so standard aquarium lighting is fine.
These fish eat both plants and animals, so they’re omnivores. You can feed them flakes or sinking pellets daily, along with algae wafers and frozen brine shrimp or bloodworms, to keep them healthy.
| Corydoras splendens Overview | |
| Fish Size | Up to 3.5 inches |
| Fish Nature | Peaceful |
| Tank Size | Minimum 20Â 30 gallons |
| Tank Condition | Temperature 68°F to 82°F
pH 5.8 – 8.0 |
8: Peppered Corydoras (Corydoras Paleatus)
Peppered Corydoras come from rivers in Brazil and Uruguay. They’re standard in the fish trade, with distinctive green black markings and a dark spot on their dorsal fin.
Like other Cory catfish, females are more significant than males. Males grow to about 2.5 inches, while females can reach 3 inches. Male fins are longer, too.
They need at least a 20 gallon tank with hiding spots like plants and driftwood. Peppered Corydoras aren’t picky eaters and will happily eat sinking pellets and live or frozen food daily.
They also enjoy algae wafers, daphnia, or bloodworms. Peppered Corydoras are a great choice if you want a good looking, peaceful fish for your community tank.
| Corydoras paleatus Overview | |
| Fish Size | Up to 2.5Â 3 inches |
| Fish Nature | Peaceful |
| Tank Size | Minimum 20 gallons |
| Tank Condition: | Temperature 60°F to 75°F
pH 6 – 8 |
9: Sterbai Cory
The Sterbai Cory is a beautiful freshwater fish often unnoticed by aquarium enthusiasts. However, it’s just as fantastic as some of the more popular Cory varieties and makes an excellent choice for any fish keeper!
Also known as Sterba’s Cory, this fish is laid back and likes to hang out at the bottom of the tank. It has a distinctive appearance and a fun personality. Like many other Cory catfish, this species is part of a big family with over 200 different kinds.
Originally from the Guaporé River area in South America, Sterbai Corys prefer living in fast flowing rivers and streams where they can scavenge for food at the bottom.
They have a chubby body shape, rounded heads, and mouths that turn downwards to help them eat. They also have little whisker like barbels near their mouths, which they use to find food.
| Sterbai cory Overview | |
| Fish Size | 2.5 inches (6 cm) |
| Fish Nature | Peaceful |
| Tank Size: | Minimum 10Â 20 gallons |
| Tank Condition: | Temperature 30 to 82°
pH 6.0–7.6 |
10: Albino Corydoras (Mixed Corydoras)
Albino cory catfish are a unique mix of Cory fish made for cory catfish fans. They’re usually bred from two types: bronze corydoras and peppered corydoras. These fish are nearly blind, and their babies take longer to grow because of how they’re bred.
Albino Corydoras have a pinkish white body with bright red eyes, earning them the nickname ‘Armored Catfish’ because of their tough skin. They grow to about 3 inches long, with females usually larger than males, like other Cory catfish.
They’re great for beginners because they’re easy to care for. They like tanks with lots of plants and hiding spots, so a 10 gallon tank is okay for them, but more giant tanks, like 15 to 20 gallons, are even better, especially if you have a group of them. Clean water with oxygen is essential, so a good filter is necessary.
Albino Corydoras eat all kinds of foods because they’re omnivores. Give them flakes or sinking pellets daily, and treats like algae wafers, bloodworms, brine shrimp, or daphnia are also lovely.
| Albino Corydoras Overview | |
| Fish Size | Up to 3 inches |
| Fish Nature | Peaceful |
| Tank Size | Minimum 10Â 20 gallons |
| Tank Condition | Temperature 72.0 to 79.0° F
pH 6.0–8.0 |
11: Skunk Corydoras (Corydoras Arcuatus)
The Skunk Corydoras, also known as Corydoras arcuatus, has a unique feature: a black bow shaped band from its mouth to its tail fin. This sets it apart from other cory catfish. While most Skunk Corydoras in stores are bred commercially, they originally come from South America.
These peaceful freshwater fish are social and get along well with other calm fish in community tanks. They prefer to stay at the bottom, mixing well with fish swimming in the tank’s middle or upper parts.
Skunk Corydoras like their water to be warm, around 72°F to 79°F, with slightly acidic to slightly alkaline pH levels (between 6.0 and 7.5). They need clean water with good circulation and enough oxygen.
It’s best to keep them in a planted tank with driftwood for hiding spots. A tank of at least 10 gallons is suitable for them.
Skunk Corydoras are omnivores, so they eat a variety of foods. Feed them sinking foods like brine shrimp and bloodworms regularly. They’ll also eat frozen foods if live ones aren’t available.
| Corydoras arcuatus Overview | |
| Fish Size | Up to 2 inches |
| Fish Nature | Peaceful |
| Tank Size | Minimum 10 gallons |
| Tank Condition | Temperature
72°F to 79°F pH 6.0 – 7.5 |
Why Are Cory Catfish The Best Fish In Your Tank?
Cory catfish types are excellent choices for your fish tank for several reasons.
Small and Friendly: Cory catfish usually grow to around 2.5 inches, although some types may be larger. They’re small but love to socialize with other fish in the tank. They won’t harm their tank mates, making them ideal for community tanks.
Easy to Live With: These catfish come from various places in South America and are used to different water conditions. They usually prefer soft water but can also live in acidic, alkaline, or neutral water. They can handle temperatures between 68°F to 82°F.
Simple to Feed: Cory catfish are omnivores, so feeding them is easy. Just ensure they get enough food regularly and keep an eye on other fish not eating all their food. They’ll happily adapt to different tank conditions.
Efficient Cleaners: Cory catfish are great at eating food that sinks to the bottom of the tank, which other fish might miss. They’re like little janitors, keeping the tank clean by scavenging for food on the tank floor. This helps maintain a healthier environment for all the fish in the tank.
Simple Breeding: Breeding Cory catfish is simple. You need to make sure their tank setup is correct. You’ll need separate tanks for breeding and the baby fish (called fry). Creating a safe and comfortable environment for them to breed successfully is essential.
Cory Catfish Tank Size
Your tank size for your Cory catfish depends on how many you have and the species. Generally, a 10 gallon tank is the smallest you should go for, but if you have multiple species, it’s better to go bigger, like a 20 or 30 gallon tank. If you’re new to fishkeeping and have a group of five or more Cory catfish, a 20 gallon tank is a good starting point. Remember, as you add more fish, you’ll need more space—around 2 to 4 gallons per extra fish.
Cory catfish size
Cory catfish come in different sizes, but they’re generally small. They range from 2.5 to 12 centimetres long, roughly less than an inch to about 4.75 inches. However, most are smaller, usually less than 7 centimetres long or about 20 gallons.
Conclusion:
Cory catfish are fantastic additions to any aquarium. They’re super social and easy to look after. Cory catfish identification involves observing features like body coloration, fin shape, and pattern to distinguish between different species accurately. We’ll discuss the top eleven cory catfish varieties that you can find in the market. Hopefully, this will spark a greater interest in Cory catfish.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Is The Smallest Type Of Cory Catfish?
The Pygmy Corys are the smallest among Cory catfish species. They grow to about 1 inch long, making them a perfect choice for smaller aquariums.
How Many Varieties Of Cory Catfish Are There?
There are over 150 species of Corydoras, the scientific name for Cory catfish.
What Type Of Cory Catfish Should I Get?
The Albino Cory is a trendy choice among hobbyists. It’s loved for its affordable price and vibrant pink/white coloration.
What Corydoras Are Most Popular?
Sterbai cory is most popular cory catfish.
Source
Most Popular Cory Catfish Types (With Pictures!)
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