TankBud

One species · 2 varieties

Bronze cory

Osteogaster aenea

Also known as Corydoras aeneus, Green cory, Lightspot cory, Corydoras schultzei, Gold shoulder cory, Osteogaster schultzii

FreshwaterFish

Bronze cory (Osteogaster aenea)
Andrew Keller · CC0

Care at a glance

Temperature
70–81°F
21–27°C
pH
6.0–7.5
Adult size
3 in
7.5 cm
Minimum tank
17 gal
63 L
Temperament
Peaceful
Social behavior
Shoaling
Swim level
Bottom
Difficulty
Easy
Breeding
Egg depositor · Easy
Rarity
Very common
Family
Callichthyidae
Origin
South America

Pick a variety

One setup covers every line on this page: care is the species' care.

Overview

The bronze cory is a peaceful, social catfish for the bottom of a community tank. It is easy to keep and a good first fish.

Did you know

A bronze cory's occasional dash to the surface for a gulp of air is normal, not a sign of bad water. Corys can take oxygen from swallowed air through their intestine. That backup suits the low-oxygen pools they sometimes live in, and it helps them cope with poor water.

Caring for the bronze cory

Keep bronze cories in a group of six or more. They are social bottom dwellers and get stressed and listless when kept alone or in pairs. A group does well in a community tank of 17 gal (63 L) or larger.

Give them a soft sand bottom or smooth, rounded gravel, so they can sift it without wearing down their barbels. Sharp substrate is the main thing to avoid. They handle a wide range of temperatures, from 70 to 81°F (21 to 27°C), with a pH of 6.0 to 7.5.

Feed sinking pellets and wafers, plus frozen bloodworms and brine shrimp. Bronze cories forage along the bottom, so make sure the sinking food actually reaches them rather than getting eaten up top.

They are peaceful and safe with other community fish. Bronze cories are also easy to breed. The female carries each sticky egg between her pelvic fins and sticks it to surfaces around the tank.

Good to know

The bronze cory is an armored catfish in the family Callichthyidae. Its scientific name is Osteogaster aenea, and it is also known as Corydoras aeneus.

In the wild

Bronze corys are widespread across South America. They live in shallow, slow waters with a soft bottom, where they root around for food.

Weekly picks

Tank mates

Every variety on this page wants the same water, so one set of picks fits them all. These picks match on water type, temperature, pH, size and temperament.

Check the full mix in the stocking calculator

Common questions

What size tank does a bronze cory need?

A bronze cory needs at least 17 gal (63 L). It spends most of its time in the bottom.

What temperature and pH does a bronze cory need?

A bronze cory is comfortable at 70–81°F (21–27°C) with a pH of 6.0–7.5.

What does a bronze cory eat?

A bronze cory eats sinking pellets and wafers, plus frozen bloodworms and brine shrimp. Make sure the food sinks all the way down to it, since it feeds along the bottom.

How big does a bronze cory get?

An adult bronze cory reaches about 3 in (7.5 cm).

Does a bronze cory need a group?

Yes. A bronze cory is a shoaling species and should be kept in a group, not singly.

How does a bronze cory breed?

Bronze cories are easy to breed. The female holds each sticky egg between her pelvic fins, then sticks it to a surface somewhere in the tank.

Related species