Panda Cory

Name: Panda Cory
Brand: Brooklands
SKU: tg35
Price: 15.95 NZD
Availability: InStock

SKU tg35

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Panda Cory

Product Details

Panda Cory (Corydoras panda)

NOT AVAILABLE FOR SHIPPING - In-store Only

Overview: The Panda Cory is arguably one of the most adorable and popular bottom-dwellers in the entire aquarium hobby. It earns its name from its striking resemblance to the Giant Panda: it features a clean, cream-to-pinkish-gold body accented by three jet-black patches. One distinct black patch wraps perfectly over its eyes like a mask, a second encircles the base of its tail fin, and a third covers its dorsal fin. Like all Corydoras, they possess armor-plated scales (scutes) rather than traditional scales, and a cute, downturned mouth fringed with sensitive whiskers (barbels).

Origins: They are native to South America, specifically endemic to the Ucayali River river system in Peru, which is a primary tributary of the Amazon River. They are often found in clear, fast-flowing streams that are fed by meltwater from the Andes mountains.

Personality: Panda Cories are boundlessly cheerful, peaceful, and highly social. They spend their days bumbling playfully along the substrate, using their sensitive whiskers to continuously dig and sift through the sand for scraps of food. Unlike many nocturnal catfish, Panda Cories are highly active during the day. They display a delightful group behavior, often following each other in a single-file line or resting together in a tightly packed pile under a shaded leaf.

Care Level: Easy (Provided water changes are regular)
Temperament: Extremely Peaceful (100% community and shrimp-safe)
Diet: Omnivore/Scavenger (They are bottom-feeders but cannot survive on scraps alone. They require a targeted diet of high-quality sinking catfish pellets, shrimp wafers, and thrive on live or frozen bloodworms and brine shrimp).
Max Size: 4.5 – 5 cm
Family: Callichthyidae
Tank Size: 60 Litres minimum. (Prioritize a tank with a wide footprint/floor space rather than a tall, narrow tank).
Temperature: 20°C – 25°C (Crucial Note: Because they evolved in mountain-fed streams, they prefer cooler water than other cories. They will stress and suffer a shortened lifespan if kept in a hot tropical tank permanently above 26°C).
pH: 6.0 – 7.5
Should be kept in groups? Yes, strictly. They are highly gregarious schooling fish. You must keep them in a group of at least 6. If kept alone or in pairs, they become incredibly lonely, stressed, and will spend their lives hiding in fear.

⚠️ The Sand and Air Non-Negotiables:

To keep your Panda Cory school healthy and thriving, you must cater to two unique biological requirements:

1. The Smooth Sand Rule: Because they filter substrate through their mouths and gills to find food, you must use smooth sand or fine, rounded gravel. Coarse, jagged, or sharp aquarium gravel will ruthlessly wear down, cut, and infect their delicate mouth barbels, leaving them unable to eat properly.

2. The Atmospheric Dash: Every now and then, you will see a Panda Cory suddenly shoot straight to the surface like a rocket, take a quick gulp of air, and dive right back down to the bottom. They possess a modified intestine that allows them to absorb oxygen from atmospheric air. This is completely normal behavior, but ensure there is always a gap of open air between your water surface and the lid!