HomeFreshwater aquarium fishCatfish & plecosBronze corydoras Bronze corydoras (Corydoras aeneus) Scientific name: Corydoras aeneus Gill, 1858 The Bronze corydoras (Corydoras aeneus) is a freshwater fish of the family Callichthyidae that grows to about 7.5 cm (3 in). It is moderate to keep and peaceful, suits community aquariums and needs a tank of at least 75 L (20 US gal), water at 22–26°C (72–79°F) and a pH of 6.0–8.0. Native range: SOUTH AMERICA; Lake, streams, and rivers throughout South America. Bronze corydoras care at a glanceCare levelModerateTemperamentPeacefulCommunity tankExcellentAdult size7.5 cm (3 in)Minimum tank75 L (20 US gal)Temperature22–26°C (72–79°F)pH6.0–8.0Hardness2–25 dGH (36–446 ppm)DietOmnivore. Accepts sinking pellets. BiologyDorsal spines (total): 1; Dorsal soft rays (total): 7; Anal spines: 1 - 2; Anal soft rays: 5 - 6. Short and rounded snout (1.9 to 2.1 times in TL); body height 2.5 to 2.9 times in SL; interorbital space 2 to 2.2 times in TL; pectoral spine (3.5 to 4.5 times in SL) with a slightly denticulated internal side; 23-24 dorsal plates; 20-22 ventral plates; 2-5 pre-adipose plates; body color yellow or pink, white belly, blue-grey over head and back; fins yellow or pink and immaculate. A brownish-orange patch is usually present on the head, just before the dorsal fin, and is their most distinctive feature when viewed from above in the stream.Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0. Species factsScientific nameCorydoras aeneusFamilyCallichthyidae (Callichthyid armored catfishes)OrderSiluriformes (Catfish)ClassActinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)Maximum length7.5EnvironmentFreshwater;; pH range: 6.0 - 8.0; dH range: 5 - 19 demersalClimateSubtropicalDistributionSouth America: Colombia and Trinidad to La Plata River basin east of the Andes.Conservation status (IUCN)Not EvaluatedThreat to humansHarmlessUsesFisheries: of no interest; aquarium: highly commercialResilienceMedium, minimum population doubling time 1.4 - 4.4 years (Fec>100 eggs; multiple spawning per spawning season) More catfish & plecosBloch's catfishPimelodus blochiiPareutropius buffeiSynodontis brichardiBlotched upsidedown catfishSynodontis nigriventrisBlue panaqueBaryancistrus begginiRedtail catfishPhractocephalus hemioliopterusSee all catfish & plecos SourcesTaxonomy, distribution and biology data: FishBase (Froese, R. and D. Pauly, eds.), licensed CC BY-NC 4.0. Aquarium care parameters compiled, checked and converted to metric and imperial units by Guppies.za.net.Last updated 28 September 2026