{"product_id":"panda-cory-corydoras-panda-freshwater","title":"Panda Cory (Corydoras panda) | Live Freshwater Community Fish","description":"\u003cp\u003eFew fish are as universally loved as the \u003cstrong\u003ePanda Cory\u003c\/strong\u003e (\u003cem\u003eCorydoras panda\u003c\/em\u003e) — a tiny, busy, irresistibly cute armored catfish from Peru, named for the dark eye patches and tail spot on its creamy-white body. Pandas spend their day shoaling along the substrate, nose-down and barbel-twitching, hoovering up uneaten food and keeping the bottom of your tank tidy. They’re peaceful, hardy, and a perfect first catfish for community freshwater aquariums.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"background: #fff8e1; border-left: 4px solid #f59e0b; padding: 12px 16px; margin: 14px 0; border-radius: 4px;\"\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin: 0; font-size: 1.02em;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBuy them in groups of 4 to 6+.\u003c\/strong\u003e Panda Corys are highly social schoolers — a single fish or pair will hide and stress. Four to six is the minimum for happy, active behavior; eight or more is even better.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBrowse all our \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/collections\/fish\"\u003efreshwater fish\u003c\/a\u003e or shop the rest of our \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/collections\/fresh-water\"\u003efreshwater section\u003c\/a\u003e for tank mates, food, and supplies.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin: 14px 0 4px; font-size: 1.05em; font-weight: 600; line-height: 1.25;\"\u003eCare Guide\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTank size:\u003c\/strong\u003e 20 gallons minimum for a school of 6. Long, low tanks beat tall, narrow ones — corys live on the bottom.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWater:\u003c\/strong\u003e 68–77°F (Pandas tolerate cooler water than most tropicals; aim for 72–75°F), pH 6.5–7.5, soft to moderately hard.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSubstrate:\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eSmooth sand or rounded fine gravel only.\u003c\/strong\u003e Sharp or coarse substrate damages their delicate barbels (sensory whiskers) and can lead to infection. \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/caribsea-super-naturals-maui-moon-20lb-black-freshwater-aquarium-sand\"\u003eCaribSea Super Naturals sand\u003c\/a\u003e is a great choice.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFiltration \u0026amp; flow:\u003c\/strong\u003e Gentle to moderate. Corys appreciate well-oxygenated water but don’t enjoy a current-blasted tank.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAquascape:\u003c\/strong\u003e Open sand floor for foraging plus driftwood, broad-leaf plants (anubias, java fern), and a few caves or hides for daytime resting.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDiet:\u003c\/strong\u003e Omnivore. Feed sinking foods at lights-out so they reach the bottom — \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/seachem-nutridiet-herbivore-tabs-85g-probiotic-sinking-fish-food\"\u003eSeachem NutriDiet sinking tabs\u003c\/a\u003e, frozen bloodworms, daphnia, brine shrimp, and quality flake that drifts down. They’ll also clean up spillage from mid-water feeders.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMaintenance:\u003c\/strong\u003e 25–30% weekly water changes with \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/seachem-prime-complete-concentrated-water-conditioner\"\u003eSeachem Prime\u003c\/a\u003e. Keep nitrates low — corys are sensitive to dirty water.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLid required:\u003c\/strong\u003e Pandas occasionally dart to the surface for a gulp of air. A snug lid prevents jumps.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin: 14px 0 4px; font-size: 1.05em; font-weight: 600; line-height: 1.25;\"\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ctable style=\"border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%; max-width: 560px;\"\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; padding: 6px 10px; font-weight: 600;\"\u003eCommon Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; padding: 6px 10px;\"\u003ePanda Cory \/ Panda Catfish\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; padding: 6px 10px; font-weight: 600;\"\u003eScientific Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; padding: 6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eCorydoras panda\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; padding: 6px 10px; font-weight: 600;\"\u003eFamily\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; padding: 6px 10px;\"\u003eCallichthyidae (armored catfish)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; padding: 6px 10px; font-weight: 600;\"\u003eOrigin\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; padding: 6px 10px;\"\u003eUpper Ucayali River basin, Peru\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; padding: 6px 10px; font-weight: 600;\"\u003eCare Level\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; padding: 6px 10px;\"\u003eBeginner\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; padding: 6px 10px; font-weight: 600;\"\u003eDiet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; padding: 6px 10px;\"\u003eOmnivore — sinking foods preferred\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; padding: 6px 10px; font-weight: 600;\"\u003eLifespan\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; padding: 6px 10px;\"\u003e8–10+ years\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; padding: 6px 10px; font-weight: 600;\"\u003eMax Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; padding: 6px 10px;\"\u003e~2 inches\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; padding: 6px 10px; font-weight: 600;\"\u003eWater Type\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; padding: 6px 10px;\"\u003eFreshwater, tropical\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin: 14px 0 4px; font-size: 1.05em; font-weight: 600; line-height: 1.25;\"\u003eCompatibility\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePanda Corys are textbook peaceful community fish — they ignore everything that isn’t food on the substrate.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eGreat tank mates:\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/neon-tetra-small-5-qty\"\u003eneon tetras\u003c\/a\u003e, ember tetras, harlequin rasboras, \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/zebra-danio-danio-rerio-freshwater\"\u003ezebra danios\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/black-skirt-tetra-gymnocorymbus-ternetzi-freshwater\"\u003eblack skirt tetras\u003c\/a\u003e, dwarf gouramis, peaceful livebearers, otocinclus, kuhli loaches.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eOther corys:\u003c\/strong\u003e mix happily with our \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/orange-laser-corydoras\"\u003eOrange Laser Corydoras\u003c\/a\u003e or \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/mixed-cory-catfish\"\u003eMixed Cory Catfish\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eInverts:\u003c\/strong\u003e safe with snails (nerite, ramshorn) and adult shrimp. Fry may be eaten.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAvoid:\u003c\/strong\u003e aggressive cichlids, fin-nippers (tiger barbs, serpae tetras), large predatory fish, anything that will outcompete them at meals.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin: 14px 0 4px; font-size: 1.05em; font-weight: 600; line-height: 1.25;\"\u003eRecommended Foods \u0026amp; Supplies\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/seachem-nutridiet-herbivore-tabs-85g-probiotic-sinking-fish-food\"\u003eSeachem NutriDiet Sinking Tabs\u003c\/a\u003e — bottom-feeder staple\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/caribsea-super-naturals-maui-moon-20lb-black-freshwater-aquarium-sand\"\u003eCaribSea Super Naturals Sand\u003c\/a\u003e — barbel-friendly substrate\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/seachem-prime-complete-concentrated-water-conditioner\"\u003eSeachem Prime\u003c\/a\u003e — water conditioner for every change\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/hikari-dark-rock-cave-aquarium-hide-bettas-shrimp-plecos\"\u003eHikari Dark Rock Cave\u003c\/a\u003e — resting hide\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/collections\/nutrition\"\u003eBrowse all fish food\u003c\/a\u003e · \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/collections\/maintenance-water-care\"\u003ewater care \u0026amp; treatments\u003c\/a\u003e · \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/collections\/freshwater-aquarium-plants\"\u003elive plants\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin: 14px 0 4px; font-size: 1.05em; font-weight: 600; line-height: 1.25;\"\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow many Panda Corys should I buy?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAt least 4 to 6. Corys are obligate schoolers — in groups smaller than that they get stressed, hide constantly, and stop foraging. Eight to ten is the sweet spot.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWill they clean my tank?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThey’ll scavenge uneaten food off the bottom, but they’re not algae eaters and they still need their own dedicated meals. Don’t rely on leftovers alone.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDo I really need sand?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eStrongly recommended. Corys forage by sifting substrate through their gills, and sharp gravel files down their barbels over time, leading to infection and reduced sense of smell. Smooth fine sand or polished pea-size gravel is fine.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWill they breed in my tank?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003ePossibly — Pandas will spawn after large cool water changes in mature tanks. Eggs get scattered on glass and plants. Most fry get eaten in a community tank, so a separate breeding setup is needed if you want to raise them.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLocal pickup only?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eYes. Squeaky’s Aquatics livestock is sold for in-store pickup at our Georgia showroom only.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Squeaky's Aquatics","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48077718323419,"sku":"FW1-F1282","price":6.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0767\/5209\/3403\/files\/image_94f976ff-4bd3-43b3-bdf1-893c87203f91.jpg?v=1766506258","url":"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/panda-cory-corydoras-panda-freshwater","provider":"Squeaky's Aquatics","version":"1.0","type":"link"}