Panda Corydoras (Corydoras panda) is a peaceful, sociable, and hardy bottom-dwelling catfish native to the Ucayali River basin in Peru. Its distinctive black-and-white markings resemble a panda bear, making it a favorite among aquarists. Key Characteristics Size: Up to 5 cm (2 inches) Lifespan: 5–10 years Temperament: Peaceful, social, bottom-dweller Activity: Diurnal with occasional surface breathing Appearance: Silvery-white body with black patches over eyes, dorsal fin, and tail base Water Parameters Temperature: 20–25°C (68–77°F) pH: 6.0–7.5 Hardness: 2–12 dGH Tank Size: Minimum 10 gallons for a small group; ideally 20+ gallons for a school Tank Setup Substrate: Soft sand or fine gravel to protect delicate barbels Plants: Java moss, Anubias, Amazon swords; floating plants to diffuse light Decor: Driftwood, rocks, caves for hiding Filtration: Moderate flow to mimic river currents Lighting: Moderate; shaded areas preferred Diet Type: Omnivore and scavenger Staple: Sinking pellets or tablets Supplements: Bloodworms, brine shrimp, daphnia, vegetable matter Feeding Tips: Feed at night; ensure food reaches the bottom Breeding Type: Egg-layer Spawning Trigger: Cooler water change simulating rainy season Egg Count: Up to 100 sticky eggs Hatch Time: ~4 days Fry Care: Feed infusoria or fry food; maintain stable temperature Compatible Tankmates Neon Tetras, Harlequin Rasboras, Cherry Barbs, White Cloud Mountain Minnows Kuhli Loaches, Otocinclus, Ember Tetras, Endler’s Livebearers Avoid aggressive or large fish like Tiger Barbs Social Needs Best kept in groups of 6 or more to reduce stress and encourage natural behavior
