🐠Corydoras: gear and buying guides

The corydoras is a small, peaceful, gregarious bottom-dwelling catfish, to be kept in groups of at least 6 of the same species. It constantly sifts the substrate with its barbels, which requires fine, non-abrasive sand, in a tank of around 100 L between 22 and 26 °C. It gets along with almost everything, as long as it receives its own food at the bottom.

Profile : 4 to 7 cm as an adult depending on the species, around 100 L for a group of 6, water between 22 and 26 °C.

Corydoras gear, family by family

• 🍖 Food

  It is not a waste eater: give it dedicated sinking wafers and frozen bloodworms. Feed after dimming the lights so other fish do not steal everything.

• 🧴 Care & grooming

  Its barbels get damaged on sharp or dirty substrate: fine sand and regular vacuuming are essential. Beware of salt or copper treatments, which it tolerates poorly.

• 🎾 Toys & enrichment

  Driftwood, low plants and shaded areas where the group rests together. An open stretch of sand lets it sift, its most characteristic behavior.

• 🏠 Bedding & habitat

  A tank of around 100 L with a large footprint rather than height, with fine river-type sand. It occasionally darts up to gulp air, so keep clear access to the surface.

• 🧳 Travel & safety

  Its fin spines can pierce bags: use a double bag or a rigid container. Stressed corydoras can release toxins, so transport them in a generous volume of water.

• 🧰 Accessories

  Fine sand, sinking wafers, gentle filtration and a soft net that will not snag its spines. Expect 100 to 180 euros of equipment for a 100 L tank.

Guides to read

• 60-litre aquarium kit: the full beginner budget with no nasty surprisesBedding & habitat

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• RO units and reverse osmosis water in aquariums: who actually needs it?Care & grooming

  Is reverse osmosis water essential for an aquarium? Find out who really needs an RO unit, how to remineralize and what budget to plan (unit or jerrycan).

• Water conditioner and starter bacteria: essential or just marketing?Care & grooming

  Water conditioner and starter bacteria: what do they actually do? Chlorine, heavy metals, faster cycling: what to buy and what to skip.

• Fertilizer and CO2 for aquarium plants: start simple, skip the lab setupToys & enrichment

  Do aquarium plants need fertilizer and CO2? The simple starter method: liquid fertilizer, easy plants, and when injected CO2 actually becomes worthwhile.

• Driftwood and rocks for aquariums: which ones are safe for your fish?Toys & enrichment

  Which driftwood and rocks are safe in an aquarium? Tannin-releasing woods, limestone rocks to avoid, the vinegar test and preparation: the complete guide.