TankBud

Panda cory

Hoplisoma panda

Also known as Corydoras panda

FreshwaterFish

Panda cory (Hoplisoma panda)
Curtis W.

Care at a glance

Temperature
72–77°F
22–25°C
pH
6.0–7.5
Adult size
2 in
5 cm
Minimum tank
11 gal
41 L
Temperament
Peaceful
Social behavior
Shoaling
Swim level
Bottom
Difficulty
Easy
Breeding
Egg depositor · Hard
Rarity
Common
Family
Callichthyidae
Origin
Peru

Overview

The panda cory is a sociable bottom dweller for a cool, peaceful community tank. It is a good first cory.

Did you know

Panda corys can breathe air, like other corys. They dart to the surface, gulp a bubble and absorb oxygen through the gut before letting it out. For panda corys this is normal.

Caring for the panda cory

Keep panda corys in a group of at least six, since they are more active and confident in larger numbers. A tank of at least 11 gal (41 L) works for a small shoal. Give them sand or smooth fine gravel so they can feed without damaging their barbels, plus shade and some current.

Keep the water cool, soft and acidic to neutral. Aim for 72 to 77°F (22 to 25°C) and a pH of 6.0 to 7.5. Pandas do not tolerate heat well, and a cool tank matters more for them than for many corys. If a whole group races to the surface constantly, the water may be low on oxygen or too warm.

Feed sinking foods that reach the bottom, such as wafers, sinking pellets and frozen bloodworm. Never count on them to clean up after other fish.

Panda corys are peaceful and safe with other community fish. They are egg layers, and the female sticks the eggs to surfaces after a clutch is fertilized. Breeding them is hard.

Good to know

The panda cory is a small armored catfish in the family Callichthyidae. Its name comes from its pattern. The pale body has a dark eye mask, a spot on the dorsal fin and a band near the tail. Panda corys can live well past five years in good conditions.

In the wild

Panda corys come from cool, clear headwater streams in Peru, fed by runoff from the Andes. The water there is soft and slightly acidic, and it runs cooler than most tropical tanks.

Weekly picks

Tank mates

The panda cory is a peaceful, shoaling species that keeps to the bottom. These picks share a community profile with it, are safe together in both directions, and overlap on water type, temperature and pH.

Check the full mix in the stocking calculator

Common questions

What size tank does a panda cory need?

A panda cory needs at least 11 gal (41 L). It spends most of its time in the bottom.

What temperature and pH does a panda cory need?

A panda cory is comfortable at 72–77°F (22–25°C) with a pH of 6.0–7.5.

What does a panda cory eat?

A panda cory eats sinking foods that reach the bottom, such as wafers, sinking pellets and frozen bloodworm. Never count on it to clean up after other fish.

How big does a panda cory get?

An adult panda cory reaches about 2 in (5 cm).

Does a panda cory need a group?

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

How does a panda cory breed?

Panda corys are egg layers. After a clutch is fertilized, the female sticks the eggs to surfaces in the tank. Breeding them is hard.

Related species