The Bronze Corydoras is a peaceful, armoured catfish from South America and one of the most popular bottom-dwellers in the hobby.
Hardy and long-lived, it scours the substrate and brings constant gentle activity to the lower tank.
Despite a reputation as a clean-up crew, this is not a fish that survives on leftovers.
It is a genuine community species with real social and dietary needs that keepers must meet.
Housing
Keep a group in a tank of at least 75 litres (20 gallons) with a soft sand or smooth, rounded fine-gravel substrate to protect their delicate barbels.
Target 22-26C (72-79F), pH 6.0-7.5, in a fully cycled, well-oxygenated setup.
Provide shaded spots, plants, and driftwood for security.
They periodically dash to the surface to gulp air, so leave an air gap beneath a tight lid.
Sharp or coarse gravel erodes barbels and invites infection.
Diet
Bronze Corydoras are omnivores that should be fed directly, not left to scavenge.
Use sinking pellets, wafers, and tablets that reach the bottom, supplemented with frozen or live bloodworm, daphnia, and brine shrimp.
Feed once or twice daily, making sure enough food sinks past faster mid-water fish so the cories actually eat.
Slow starvation from relying on scraps is a common cause of decline; a proper sinking diet keeps them well-rounded and healthy.
Health
These catfish are robust but vulnerable to two husbandry faults: barbel erosion from sharp or dirty substrate, and red blotch or fin infections in poor water.
Keeping the substrate clean and parameters stable prevents most problems.
They are also sensitive to high nitrate and to salt and copper-based medications, so dose carefully.
Watch barbel length, breathing rate, and skin condition, and quarantine new fish.
With good care, individuals routinely live well beyond five years.
Temperament
Bronze Corydoras are sociable and peaceful, and are happiest and most active in a shoal of six or more of their own kind.
Kept singly or in pairs they become withdrawn, whereas a proper group displays its characteristic collective foraging and resting.
They coexist well with most calm community fish, including tetras, rasboras, dwarf cichlids, and peaceful barbs.
Their gentle nature means they should not be mixed with aggressive or large predatory tankmates.
Beginner
Beginner
Beginner
Beginner
Beginner
Beginner