Panda Corydoras (Corydoras panda) Care Guide
Small peaceful catfish from the upper Amazon in Peru and Ecuador, marked with black panda-like patches. A popular community fish best kept in groups on soft sand.
Overview
Corydoras panda is a small armored catfish in the family Callichthyidae, named for the panda-like black patches over its eyes, dorsal fin and caudal peduncle. Almost all specimens in the trade today are produced on commercial farms in Eastern Europe and Southeast Asia rather than wild-caught.
Taxonomy
- Family: Callichthyidae
- Genus: Corydoras
- Scientific name: Corydoras panda
Habitat
The species is endemic to the upper Amazon basin in Peru and Ecuador, including the Rio Aquas, Rio Amarillae and Ucayali drainages. It inhabits clear, cool, soft and mineral-poor waters flowing over sandy substrates.
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank volume: 60 L
- Temperature: 20-25 °C
- pH: 6.0-7.5
- GH: 2-12 °dGH
- School size: at least 6 individuals
- Lifespan: 8-12 years
- Adult size: 4-5 cm
Diet
An omnivore with a preference for live and frozen invertebrate foods. In the aquarium it accepts quality sinking pellets supplemented with bloodworm, Daphnia and Artemia. It should not be considered a tank cleaner; a complete sinking diet is required.
Compatibility
Peaceful and highly gregarious, this species should be kept in groups of at least six. It pairs well with small, gentle community fish such as Ember Tetra, Harlequin Rasbora and Cherry Shrimp. Large and aggressive species should be avoided. A fine sand substrate is essential to protect the barbels.
Breeding
Breeding follows the typical Corydoras protocol. A cooler, slightly larger water change combined with strong aeration triggers spawning. Females deposit small clutches of adhesive eggs, which hatch in three to five days. Fry can be raised on microworms and Artemia nauplii once the yolk sac is absorbed.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List: Near Threatened. Wild populations face pressure from habitat alteration and ornamental collection, although the species is no longer commercially harvested at the level it once was thanks to widespread farm breeding.