Tankwise

A small, active bottom-dweller for a group. Prefers a soft substrate and clean, oxygen-rich water.

  • Temperature22–26 °C
  • pH6–7.5
  • Minimum tank50 L
  • DifficultyBeginner
FoodSinking pellets + bloodworm
Feeding1–2 feeds a day
Water change25% weekly

Behaviour and habits

The panda cory is a small, active and comical bottom-dweller with distinctive black eye and tail markings. It shoals closely, sifts the substrate for food and darts to the surface for air, and is far bolder and more entertaining in a group of six or more than when kept in ones and twos.

What to feed, and how often

Sinking pellets or tablets plus frozen bloodworm and daphnia; feed once or twice a day, dropping the food near the group so it reaches the bottom. They are unfussy but need their share before faster surface fish steal it.

Water changes and maintenance

Change 25% weekly with a gentle surface vacuum. Soft, rounded sand protects their barbels, and clean, well-oxygenated, slightly cooler water keeps them in good condition.

Care and how easy it is

Easy and peaceful; keep a group of six on soft sand with caves and plants, and keep the water clean.

Lifespan

With good conditions and steady water quality, this species typically lives around 5–8 years in a home aquarium; some individuals live longer.

Common health problems

Barbel erosion on rough gravel, and fin rot in dirty water; otherwise hardy.

If it gets sick

Fix the substrate and water first, then treat, and watch the barbels and fins for a few days before escalating.

Good tank mates

Neon tetraIntermediate; stable group aquarium
Neon tetraParacheirodon innesi
  • 21-25 C
  • pH 6.0-7.5
  • 60 L+; 60 x 30 cm base
Tetras & rasboras | Peaceful shoaler | Omnivore
PlatyBeginner
PlatyXiphophorus maculatus
  • 20–26°C
  • pH 7–8.2
  • 50 L+
Livebearers · Peaceful · Omnivore
GuppyBeginner with population planning
GuppyPoecilia reticulata
  • 22-26 C
  • pH 7.0-8.5
  • 60 L+; 60 x 30 cm base
Livebearers | Social; males pursue females | Omnivore
MollyBeginner
MollyPoecilia sphenops
  • 22–28°C
  • pH 7–8.5
  • 70 L+
Livebearers · Peaceful · Omnivore

Best avoided with

Similar species

CorydorasBeginner
CorydorasCorydoras paleatus
  • 20–26°C
  • pH 6–7.8
  • 60 L+
Catfish · Peaceful · Omnivore
Sterba's coryBeginner
Sterba's coryCorydoras sterbai
  • 24–28°C
  • pH 6–7.5
  • 60 L+
Catfish · Peaceful · Omnivore
Bronze coryBeginner with a planned bottom-dwelling group
Bronze coryCorydoras aeneus
  • 21-27 C
  • pH 6.0-8.0
  • 80 L+; 80 x 30 cm base
Catfish | Peaceful group forager | Omnivore
Julii coryBeginner
Julii coryCorydoras julii
  • 23–27°C
  • pH 6–7.5
  • 60 L+
Catfish · Peaceful · Omnivore

Compare at a glance

ParametersPanda coryCorydorasSterba's coryBronze cory
Parameters
Temp22–26 °C20–26 °C24–28 °C22–27 °C
pH6–7.56–7.86–7.56–8
GH4–15 °dGH2–15 °dGH4–15 °dGH4–18 °dGH
Min. tank50 L60 L60 L60 L
Size5 cm6 cm7 cm7 cm
DietOmnivoreOmnivoreOmnivoreOmnivore
TemperamentPeacefulPeacefulPeacefulPeaceful
DifficultyBeginnerBeginnerBeginnerBeginner

Care guides

GuideHow Often Should You Feed Fish?Overfeeding causes more aquarium problems than underfeeding. Here is a realistic feeding routine, and the signs that you are giving too much.GuideHow Often Should You Change Aquarium Water?Water changes remove waste that the filter cannot, and keep minerals topped up. There is no single number, but there is a simple way to find yours.GuideHow to Treat Ich (White Spot Disease)Ich looks alarming but is one of the most treatable fish diseases. Act early, raise the heat, and it clears within a week or two — here is how.GuideHow to Vacuum Aquarium Gravel (the Right Way)Cleaning the substrate removes hidden waste, but done too hard it disturbs plants and bacteria. Learn the right balance, step by step, for gravel and sand.

New to the words? See the aquarium glossary.

Sources and research notes

Parameters are typical ranges for the species in home aquariums and vary with the individual fish and the water you use.