Species guide
Corydoras in Planted Tanks: Care Guide
Fish
Corydoras are planted-tank favorites if you give them sand, a group of six or more, and sinking food. They are not a janitor species. Gravel barbel damage and solitary ‘cleaners’ are how they fail.
- Sand
- School 6+
- Sinking food
- Planted OK
Quick facts
| Temp | 22–26 °C typical (species vary; pandas cooler than sterbai) |
|---|---|
| pH / GH | 6.0–7.5, soft–moderate; stability first |
| Substrate | Fine sand — not sharp gravel |
| School | 6+ of the same species |
| Volume | 20+ gal for most; pygmies can do 10–15 |
| Oxygen | Good surface agitation; they gulp air but still need O₂ |
| Food | Sinking wafers / frozen targeted at dusk |
| Plants | Leave open sand lanes in front of swords/val |
Overview
Corys sift sand. Gravel files their barbels down. A pair in a community is lonely — they want a species school. Plants are fine; just leave a sand runway.
Similar bottom fish: Otocinclus (algae, not sand sifters). Community: neons · guppies. Plants that leave floor space: sword · val · Anubias on wood. Cycle: fishless. Budget community: first community.
How to keep them
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Step 1
Sand first, then hardscape and plants
1–2 cm fine sand in the front. Swords/val in the back so they still have a beach.
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Step 2
Buy a school, not two ‘cleaners’
Six bronze, pandas, or sterbai — pick one species. Mixed lonely corys still stress.
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Step 3
Feed the bottom on purpose
Lights-out wafer or frozen. If tetras eat it all, target-feed after they sleep.
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Step 4
Gentle filter + oxygen
Sponge or intake sponge. They gulp air at the surface sometimes — that is normal, not always ammonia. Still test.
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Step 5
Quarantine new fish
Corys arrive with ich often. Do not dump into a shrimp display.
Common problems
Barbels worn / bloody
Why: Sharp gravel or dirty substrate.
Fix: Switch to sand; vacuum more; stop the ‘cleanup crew’ myth.
Gasping + hanging at surface constantly
Why: Low O₂ or ammonia.
Fix: Test. Increase surface ripple. Big water change.
Hiding all day, never foraging
Why: Too few fish or nasty tank mates.
Fix: Increase school; remove nippers.
Ich after adding to planted tank
Why: Stress + temperature swing.
Fix: Stable heat; treat planted-safe. Quarantine next time.
Tank mates
Gear for this species
First community setup — Corys are sand-school fish, not leftover eaters
FAQ
Can corys live on gravel if I vacuum a lot?
They survive. Barbels still suffer. Sand is the actual care standard.
How many in a 20-gal?
One species school of 6 is the floor. Pygmies can go higher count.
Do they eat algae?
Barely. That is otos and shrimp. Feed corys.
Panda vs bronze vs sterbai?
Pandas like cooler; sterbai handle warmer community tanks. Match temp to the rest of the fish.
Will they uproot Monte Carlo?
They sift surface sand. Carpets on soil in the back are safer than a full-front carpet.
Need a heater?
Most community corys yes. Match species to your temperature plan.
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