Long Fin Panda Cory Catfish – Corydoras Panda

The Long Fin Panda Cory Catfish brings an eye-catching twist to one of the aquarium hobby's most recognizable Cory catfish. This long-fin variety retains the signature Panda Cory pattern—a pale cream-to-pink body accented by bold black markings around the eyes, dorsal area, and base of the tail—but adds noticeably longer, flowing fins.

These extended fins give the fish a graceful appearance as it moves across the bottom of the aquarium. Combined with the social and peaceful personality associated with Panda Corys, the Longfin Panda Cory makes an attractive choice for planted tanks and peaceful freshwater community aquariums.

The species has traditionally been known in the aquarium trade as Corydoras panda. Under newer scientific classification, Panda Corys may also be listed as Hoplisoma panda. The Long Fin Panda Cory is a selectively developed long-fin form of the same Panda Cory species.

Long Fin Panda Cory Catfish Care Information

What Makes the Long Fin Panda Cory Different?

The main difference between a Long Fin Panda Cory and a standard Panda Cory is the appearance of the fins. Long-fin Panda Corys have selectively developed extended fins that create a more dramatic, flowing silhouette as the fish swims.

They still display the classic Panda Cory markings, including the distinctive dark eye mask, dark dorsal-area marking, and black patch near the base of the tail. The combination of these panda-like markings and elongated fins makes the Longfin Panda Corydoras especially distinctive in a planted community aquarium.

Long Fin Panda Cory Behavior & Schooling

Long Fin Panda Cory Catfish are peaceful, social bottom dwellers that are most comfortable when living with other Corys of their kind. We recommend keeping at least 6 Panda Corys together.

In a proper group, they can often be seen exploring the substrate together, resting near one another, and searching the aquarium floor for food. Larger groups may show even more natural and confident social behavior when tank size and filtration allow.

Best Tank Setup for Long Fin Panda Corys

A 20-gallon or larger freshwater aquarium provides a good starting point for a school of Long Fin Panda Cory Catfish. Horizontal bottom space is especially valuable because Corys spend much of their time exploring and feeding near the substrate.

Use soft aquarium sand or smooth fine gravel rather than sharp, abrasive substrate. Cory catfish have sensitive barbels around the mouth that they use while searching the substrate for food.

A natural-style setup may include:

• Soft sand or smooth fine substrate
• Live aquarium plants
• Driftwood and smooth rocks
• Shaded resting areas
• Leaf litter where appropriate
• Open bottom areas for group foraging
• Gentle to moderate water movement

Long Fin Panda Cory Water Parameters

A suitable general temperature range for Long Fin Panda Corys is approximately 68–77°F (20–25°C), with a pH around 6.0–7.5.

Stable water quality is extremely important. Keep Panda Corys in a fully cycled aquarium with good filtration and regular maintenance. Ammonia and nitrite should remain at zero, and sudden changes in temperature or water chemistry should be avoided.

What Do Long Fin Panda Cory Catfish Eat?

Long Fin Panda Corys are omnivorous bottom-feeding fish. Offer a varied, nutritious diet rather than expecting them to survive from leftover food in the aquarium.

Suitable foods can include:

• High-quality sinking pellets
• Bottom-feeder wafers
• Frozen or live brine shrimp
• Daphnia
• Frozen bloodworms as part of a varied diet
• Other appropriately sized sinking foods

Best Tank Mates for Long Fin Panda Corys

The peaceful personality of the Long Fin Panda Cory Catfish makes it well suited to community aquariums containing similarly peaceful fish.

Potential tank mates include peaceful tetras, rasboras, guppies, peaceful dwarf fish, other compatible Cory catfish, and other non-aggressive freshwater community species that prefer similar water conditions.

Avoid aggressive fish, large predators, and known fin-nipping species. This is especially important with long-fin varieties because their extended fins can be more vulnerable to damage.

Why Choose Long Fin Panda Cory Catfish?

• Long, flowing fins create an elegant appearance
• Classic black-and-cream Panda Cory coloration
• Peaceful personality for community aquariums
• Active and entertaining bottom-dwelling behavior
• Excellent choice for planted freshwater tanks
• Small adult size
• Social schooling behavior when maintained in groups
• Distinctive alternative to the standard Panda Cory

Long Fin Panda Cory Catfish FAQ

What is a Long Fin Panda Cory?

A Long Fin Panda Cory is a long-finned variety of the Panda Cory Catfish. It has the familiar black-and-cream Panda Cory pattern combined with elongated fins that give the fish a more flowing appearance.

Are Long Fin Panda Corys the same species as regular Panda Corys?

Yes. Long Fin Panda Corys are a long-fin variety of the Panda Cory traditionally known as Corydoras panda. The species is also classified under the newer scientific name Hoplisoma panda.

How big do Long Fin Panda Cory Catfish get?

Long Fin Panda Corys generally remain small, with adults reaching approximately 1.5–2 inches. Their extended fins may make them appear larger and more dramatic than standard Panda Corys.

How many Long Fin Panda Corys should I keep together?

Keep a group of at least 6 Panda Corys. They are social fish and generally display more natural behavior when maintained with a proper group.

What temperature do Long Fin Panda Corys need?

A suitable general aquarium temperature range is approximately 68–77°F (20–25°C). Always choose tank mates with compatible temperature requirements.

Can Long Fin Panda Corys live with regular Panda Corys?

Yes. Long Fin and standard Panda Corys are forms of the same species and can generally be kept together when aquarium size, water conditions, and group requirements are appropriate.

Are Long Fin Panda Corys good community fish?

Yes. Their peaceful temperament makes them well suited to many community aquariums. Choose calm tank mates that will not harass or nip their extended fins.

Do Long Fin Panda Corys clean the aquarium?

They naturally search the substrate for food, but they should not be treated as aquarium maintenance animals. Long Fin Panda Corys require their own nutritious sinking foods, while the aquarium still requires normal cleaning and water changes.