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Cory Panda Catfish
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Scientific Name
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Corydoras panda
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Type
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Catfish
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Family
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Callichthyidae
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Subfamily
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Corydoradinae
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Other Names
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Panda Cory, Panda Corydoras, Panzerwels (Germany)
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Minimum Tank Size
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20-gallon or larger for community setup. 15-gallon ideal for a group of six for breeding proposes.
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Tank Level
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Bottom dweller, will periodically and fairly regularly swim quickly to the surface for a gulp of air.
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Care
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May only tolerate a narrow range of water parameters. Omnivorous relative to feeding.
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Behavior
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Corydoras panda are small peaceful catfish and do well with Characins or other non-aggressive community fish. Best to keep in shoals of six or more.
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Compatibility
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Best to keep in groups of six or more. Known to be peaceful community fish. Best when housed with small to medium tank mates like Tetras, Rasboras and Danios. Maintaining shoals of fish is key.
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Life Span
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Average life span of Corydoras species in the aquarium can exceed 15 years. The lifespan of Corydoras panda in the aquarium has not been systematically determined.
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Size
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2 inches (5.1 cm)
Can attain 2 inches, but are known to remain smaller at 1.25 to 1.75 inches. Short and stocky body.
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Aquarium
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Best kept with non-aggressive community fish. Corydoras panda do will in shoals of six or more catfish. Enjoys a well planted aquarium with subdued lighting. Corys seem to feel more secure with lower lighting. 15 gallon aquarium is perfect for breeding. Large aquariums are ok for community setups. Known to swim more off the substrate when compared to other species. This species appreciates a sandy bottom tank. First collected in 1969 by Foersch and Hanrieder in a mountain brook at the side of the Rio Lullapichis (Ucayali/Peru).
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Water Chemistry
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Freshwater
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pH
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6.0 - 7.4
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Hardness
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dH: 2.0 - 12.0 (soft to moderate)
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Temperature
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71° - 77° F (22° - 25° C)
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Feeding
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Omnivorous. Suggested diet includes sinking wafers, pellets or tablets. High quality flake foods, frozen blood worms, grindal worms and tubifix worms. Feeds on insect larvae, small crustaceans and worms in its habit. Video of Corydoras panda feeding below.
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Sexing
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Males have more streamlined bodies with a huge frontal hump. In comparison females are robust or more round than males. Best to view them from the top when sexing.
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Breeding
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Aquarium breeding has been recorded successfully. Breeding is achieved from a good diet, correct temperature and water conditions. Increase temperature elevation to induce spawning. A 15 gallon breeding tank is fine with either sand or bare bottom tank. Extra aeration, Java fern and sponge filter are ideal.
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Origin
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Rio Amarillas and Rio Aquas (tributary of Rio Pachitea), Rio Ucayali system, Huanuco, Upper Amazon in Peru.
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Extras
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Physical characteristics include three pairs of barbels - one pair of maxillary barbels and two pairs of rictal barbels. Body is sandy colored with black spot/patch on caudal peduncle and dorsal. A black band bridges the head and covers both eyes. Gold shimmer to gill covers.
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