Bronze Cory Catfish – Corydoras Aeneus
Bronze Cory Catfish – Corydoras Aeneus
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Essential care information at a glance
What Fish Will I Receive?
What Fish Will I Receive?
Photos represent the species and typical appearance of the fish you will receive. Because Corydoras are living animals, individual size, coloration, markings, and pattern may vary naturally from fish to fish.
Why You'll Love Panda Cory Catfish
Why You'll Love Panda Cory Catfish
✓ Peaceful community fish
✓ Active bottom-dwelling behavior
✓ Best enjoyed in social groups
✓ Excellent for planted aquariums
✓ Unique black-and-cream panda markings
✓ Compatible with many peaceful tropical fish
Healthy, Active Corydoras
Healthy, Active Corydoras
Every Corydoras offered by Tropicflow Aquatic is selected for healthy body condition, active behavior, clear eyes, intact barbels and fins, and normal swimming behavior before shipping.
Best Substrate for Corydoras
Best Substrate for Corydoras
Fine sand or another smooth, non-abrasive substrate is recommended. Corydoras spend much of their time searching through the substrate with their sensitive barbels.
Acclimation Directions
Acclimation Directions
1 — Open & Inspect
Check your fish immediately after delivery.
2 — Temperature Acclimation
Float the closed bag for approximately 15–20 minutes.
3 — Gradually Introduce Tank Water
Slowly add small amounts of aquarium water.
4 — Transfer the Fish
Gently move the Cory into the aquarium without pouring shipping water into the tank.
Keep aquarium lights low during the first several hours and allow the fish time to settle.
Water Parameters
Water Parameters
- Temperature: 68-77F
- pH: 6.0 - 7.5
- GH: 2-12 dGH
- Ammonia: 0 ppm
- Nitrate: 0 ppm
- Nitrate: Keep Low
- Water Flow: Gental-moderate
- Oxygenation: Good
Stable water is more important than chasing an exact number. Avoid sudden changes in temperature, pH, or hardness.
Flat Rate Shipping As Low As $25
Flat Rate Shipping As Low As $25
At Tropicflow, we strive to make the shipping process as affordable and convenient as possible for our customers. Our flat rate shipping starts as low as $25, and the more fish you purchase, the more you save on shipping fees. We encourage our customers to combine as many fish as possible in each order to take advantage of these cost-saving opportunities.
The Bronze Cory Catfish (Corydoras aeneus), commonly called the Bronze Cory or Green Cory, is a peaceful and hardy freshwater bottom-dwelling catfish known for its bronze-green metallic coloration and active social behavior. Best kept in groups of 6 or more, Bronze Corys are excellent for planted and peaceful community aquariums with soft substrate, clean water, and plenty of bottom space to explore.
The Bronze Cory Catfish (Corydoras aeneus) is one of the most recognizable and widely kept Cory catfish in the freshwater aquarium hobby. Its subtle bronze, olive-green, and metallic coloration may appear different depending on aquarium lighting, giving this classic Cory a surprisingly attractive appearance.
Also known as the Bronze Cory, Bronze Corydoras, or Green Cory, this species is valued for its peaceful personality, active bottom-dwelling behavior, and ability to adapt to a range of properly maintained freshwater aquariums.
Taxonomy note: This species has traditionally been known throughout the aquarium trade as Corydoras aeneus. Under newer scientific classification, the accepted combination is Osteogaster aenea. Both names refer to the fish commonly sold as the Bronze Cory Catfish.
Bronze Cory Catfish Care Information
| Care Requirement | Bronze Cory Information |
|---|---|
| Common Name | Bronze Cory, Bronze Cory Catfish, Green Cory |
| Scientific Name | Corydoras aeneus / Osteogaster aenea |
| Adult Size | Approximately 2.5–3 inches |
| Temperature | 70–81°F (21–27°C) |
| pH Range | 6.0–8.0 |
| Minimum Tank Size | 20+ Gallons Recommended |
| Recommended Group Size | 6+ Recommended |
| Temperament | Peaceful & Social |
| Diet | Omnivore |
| Tank Level | Bottom Dweller |
| Care Level | Beginner-Friendly |
| Origin | South America |
What Does a Bronze Cory Catfish Look Like?
The Bronze Cory Catfish typically has a pale cream-to-pink underside with bronze, olive, gray, and metallic green coloration across the upper body. Depending on aquarium lighting and viewing angle, the sides may display an attractive greenish or blue-green sheen.
Like other Cory-type catfish, Bronze Corys have a compact armored body covered with protective bony plates instead of traditional fish scales. Sensitive barbels around the mouth help them explore the substrate while searching for food.
Their understated metallic coloration, rounded body, and constantly moving barbels give Corydoras aeneus the classic Cory catfish appearance loved by freshwater fish keepers.
Bronze Cory Behavior & Group Size
Bronze Corys are peaceful, social bottom-dwelling fish that should not be kept alone. We recommend maintaining a group of at least 6 Bronze Cory Catfish.
In a proper group, they can often be seen exploring the aquarium floor together, searching through the substrate for food, resting near one another, and interacting with other members of their school.
Larger groups may display even more natural and confident behavior when aquarium space and filtration allow.
Bronze Corys may occasionally make a quick trip from the bottom of the aquarium to the water surface before returning to the substrate. Cory catfish are capable of taking atmospheric air, so occasional surface visits are a normal part of their natural behavior.
Ideal Aquarium Setup for Bronze Corydoras
A 20-gallon or larger freshwater aquarium provides a good starting point for a group of Bronze Cory Catfish. Because they spend much of their time exploring the aquarium floor, usable horizontal bottom space is particularly important.
A soft sand substrate or smooth fine gravel is recommended. Bronze Corys regularly search through the substrate with their sensitive barbels, so sharp or abrasive materials should be avoided.
Plants, driftwood, smooth rocks, leaf litter, and shaded resting areas can create a natural-looking environment while leaving open sections of substrate for the group to explore and forage.
Bronze Cory Water Parameters
Bronze Cory Catfish generally do well at temperatures around 70–81°F (21–27°C) with a pH of approximately 6.0–8.0.
Their ability to adapt to a relatively broad range of freshwater conditions is one reason Corydoras aeneus has remained such a popular aquarium fish. However, stable water quality is still much more important than constantly adjusting the aquarium to reach an exact number.
Always introduce Bronze Corys to a fully cycled aquarium with appropriate filtration and regular maintenance. Ammonia and nitrite should remain at zero, and sudden changes in temperature or water chemistry should be avoided.
What Do Bronze Cory Catfish Eat?
Bronze Corys are omnivores and should receive a varied diet formulated for bottom-dwelling fish. Quality sinking pellets, tablets, or wafers can form the foundation of their aquarium diet.
Their diet can also be supplemented with appropriately sized frozen or live foods such as brine shrimp, daphnia, bloodworms, and similar nutritious foods.
Bronze Cory Tank Mates
The peaceful temperament of the Bronze Cory Catfish makes it suitable for a wide variety of freshwater community aquariums. Tank mates should be non-aggressive and comfortable within similar water conditions.
Potential tank mates may include peaceful tetras, rasboras, guppies, peaceful gouramis, compatible dwarf cichlids, other suitable Cory catfish, and many other peaceful freshwater community species.
Avoid large predatory fish and aggressive tank mates that may chase, injure, or prevent the Bronze Corys from feeding comfortably.
Why Choose Bronze Cory Catfish?
- Beautiful bronze-green metallic coloration
- Peaceful temperament for community aquariums
- Active and entertaining bottom-dwelling behavior
- Excellent choice for planted freshwater aquariums
- Adaptable to a range of properly maintained water conditions
- Social behavior when maintained in a proper group
- Classic Cory catfish appearance
- Beginner-friendly when kept in a mature, stable aquarium
Before Buying Bronze Cory Catfish
Bronze Corys are social fish and should not be kept alone. Plan to keep 6 or more and make sure your aquarium is fully cycled before introducing them. A soft substrate, peaceful tank mates, stable water conditions, clean aquarium floor, and enough bottom space will help create a suitable long-term environment for your Bronze Cory group.
Bronze Cory Catfish FAQ
What is a Bronze Cory Catfish?
The Bronze Cory is a peaceful South American freshwater catfish traditionally known as Corydoras aeneus. It is recognized by its bronze-to-green metallic coloration, armored body, and social bottom-dwelling behavior.
How big do Bronze Cory Catfish get?
Adult Bronze Cory Catfish can reach approximately 2.5–3 inches. Individual size may vary depending on sex, genetics, diet, and aquarium conditions.
How many Bronze Corys should be kept together?
Keep Bronze Corys in a group of at least 6 fish. They are social catfish and generally display more confident and natural behavior when maintained in a proper group.
What temperature is best for Bronze Corys?
A general recommended aquarium temperature range for Bronze Cory Catfish is approximately 70–81°F (21–27°C). Choose tank mates with compatible temperature requirements.
Are Bronze Cory Catfish peaceful?
Yes. Bronze Cory Catfish are generally very peaceful and are well suited to community aquariums containing other non-aggressive freshwater species.
Are Bronze Corys good for beginners?
Bronze Corys are commonly considered beginner-friendly because of their adaptable nature and peaceful temperament. They still require a fully cycled aquarium, stable water quality, a proper social group, and a nutritious diet.
What do Bronze Cory Catfish eat?
Bronze Corys are omnivores. Feed them quality sinking pellets or tablets supplemented with appropriately sized frozen or live foods such as brine shrimp, daphnia, and bloodworms.
Is Corydoras aeneus the same as Osteogaster aenea?
Yes. The Bronze Cory has traditionally been known as Corydoras aeneus and is still widely sold under that name. Under newer scientific classification, the species is placed in the genus Osteogaster and is recognized as Osteogaster aenea.
Do Bronze Corys clean the aquarium?
Bronze Corys naturally search the substrate for food, but they should not be considered a replacement for aquarium maintenance. They require their own nutritious sinking foods along with regular water changes and substrate cleaning.
Bronze Cory Catfish at Tropicflow Aquatic
Add a classic freshwater favorite to your aquarium with the Bronze Cory Catfish. With their attractive bronze-green coloration, peaceful personality, social behavior, and active bottom-dwelling lifestyle, Corydoras aeneus are an excellent choice for planted tanks and peaceful freshwater community aquariums.

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