Pantanal cory
Corydoras pantanalensis
A Corydoras from the Pantanal wetlands (Bolivia and Brazil) with a brilliant reticulated pattern particularly pronounced in mature males — like a golden net on a light background. A relatively rare trade species prized by collectors for its pattern beauty and lively social behavior. Like all Corydoras, it is an armored, scaleless fish that sifts substrate and breathes atmospheric air. Breeding accessible with the classic seasonal simulation method.
Water Temperature
22 - 28 °C
pH Value
6 - 7.5
Water type
Freshwater
Tank level
Bottom
Adult size
7.5 cm
Minimum tank volume
>= 75 L
Minimum group
>= 6
GH
2 - 15 dGH
KH
1 - 7 dKH
TDS
40 - 295 ppm
Conductivity
63 - 461 uS/cm
Species description
Geographical Origin and Habitat: Endemic to the Pantanal in Brazil and Bolivia. One of the largest wetlands in the world, characterized by vast seasonal floods with clear waters and dense aquatic vegetation (e.g. Echinodorus).
Taxonomy and Morphology: Pantanal Corydoras (Corydoras pantanalensis). Large Corydoras (up to 8 cm / 3.1 inches). Belongs to the elegans group because of its frequent mid-water swimming, despite its much larger size.
Social Behavior: Gregarious, peaceful, bold. Swims constantly up and down among the large leaves of the plants, exploring the environment more than other strictly bottom-dwelling Corydoras species.
Coloration and Sexual Dimorphism: The male sports an impressive black/brown reticulation on an iridescent green/gold background. When breeding, males develop a strong dimorphism: the reticulation intensifies becoming spectacular. Females are grayer and massive.
Care, breeding and tankmates
Aquarium Setup: Requires large aquariums (minimum 100 cm / 40 inches). A dense layout of large aquatic plants, fine sand on the bottom and good filtration simulating the slow turnover of the Pantanal are essential.
Diet and Feeding: Omnivorous scavenger with high calorie consumption. Feed with top brand bottom fish pellets, bloodworms, daphnia, live or frozen tubifex. A pinch of food a day is not enough.
Water Quality: Tolerates neutral water and temperatures up to 28°C / 82°F well (the Pantanal being a hot and unshaded region). However, it does not tolerate high pollution loads on the bottom.
Compatibility and Cohabitation: Spectacular in community tanks dedicated to the Pantanal: together with Hyphessobrycon eques (Serpae Tetra), Aphyocharax, and Cichlids like Geophagus or Apistogramma borellii.
Aquarium Breeding: Reproduction linked to flood simulation (temperature drop, strong increase in filter flow). Highly territorial males in this phase challenge each other for females.
Risks and Diseases: Death by starvation if kept in tanks with very fast feeding competitors. Can jump out of the tank if frightened (lid mandatory).
Geographic Origin and Distribution
Endemic to the Pantanal in Brazil and Bolivia. One of the largest wetlands in the world, characterized by vast seasonal floods with clear waters and dense aquatic vegetation (e.g. Echinodorus).
Origin
Tropical oceans and reefsExtra-Amazon South America
Fish profile
- Temperament
- Peaceful
- The temperament of Corydoras pantanalensis is exceedingly peaceful and sociable, making them a favorite among community tank enthusiasts. They show absolutely no aggression towards other fish species and prefer to go about their daily foraging undisturbed. They are highly gregarious and derive comfort from the presence of their own kind, frequently resting and moving together as a unified group. Isolation can cause them immense stress, resulting in hiding and refusing to eat.
- Diet
- Omnivore
- Corydoras pantanalensis are omnivorous bottom feeders that require a varied diet to thrive in captivity. A high-quality sinking pellet or wafer specifically formulated for bottom dwellers should form the staple of their daily meals. They also greatly benefit from regular offerings of live or frozen foods such as bloodworms, daphnia, and brine shrimp. It is important to ensure that food reaches the bottom before being consumed by mid-water fish so they do not go hungry.
- Life expectancy
- 5-10 years
- The Pantanal Cory can live between 5 to 10 years in captivity when provided with high water quality and proper care. Due to their robust size and wetlands origin, they are quite hardy but require stable parameters to reach their full lifespan. Good aquarium hygiene, a balanced diet, and the avoidance of sudden temperature fluctuations are key factors in keeping them healthy over the long term. Stress from poor substrate or aggressive tankmates can make them susceptible to infections, shortening their lives.
- Adult size
- 7.5 cm
- The catalog's scalar value is 7.5 cm. The FishBase SPECIES table (v25.04 snapshot) source reports a maximum adult measurement of 6.9 cm for this species, recorded as standard length (SL). The taxonomic record consulted is Corydoras pantanalensis (v25.04); male or unsexed record. These figures are not interchangeable: the first is the profile's editorial reference, whereas the second is a published maximum under a specific measurement convention; differences among sources can reflect sex, population, life stage and measuring method.
- Sex ratio
- School
- A recommended sex ratio for Corydoras pantanalensis, especially if breeding is desired, is two or three males for every female. This mimics their natural breeding groups and increases the chances of successful fertilization of the eggs. In a standard display tank, exact ratios are less critical as long as they are kept in a sufficiently large shoal of six or more. Having more males ensures that the female is constantly courted during the breeding cycle.
- Feeding frequency
- Twice daily
- Feeding Corydoras pantanalensis one or two times a day is generally sufficient to maintain their health and vitality. Care should be taken to provide only what they can actively consume within three to five minutes to prevent water fouling. If kept in a community setup with aggressive surface feeders, it may be beneficial to feed them after lights out. Observing their belly fullness can help determine if the feeding frequency and amounts are appropriate.
- Bioload
- Low
- Corydoras pantanalensis produces a moderate bioload, making them excellent candidates for community tanks. Their efficient scavenging habits actually help maintain water quality by consuming uneaten food that would otherwise decay. Despite their modest size, a school of six or more does contribute somewhat to the tank's waste output. Regular water changes and adequate filtration are still necessary to keep the bioload manageable and nitrate levels low.
- Flow
- Strong
- This species prefers gentle to moderate water flow that mimics the slow-moving streams and tributaries of Amazon and Pantanal basins. Excessive flow can cause unnecessary stress and fatigue, as they are not built for constant swimming against strong currents. A well-placed sponge filter or a canister filter with a spray bar can provide the ideal balance of filtration and gentle water movement. Oxygenation remains important, so ensuring surface agitation without overpowering the bottom areas is key.
- Jump risk
- No
- Reproduction
- Oviparous
- Breeding Corydoras pantanalensis can be achieved in a dedicated breeding setup with cool water changes used to trigger spawning behavior. The females are typically larger and more robust, scattering adhesive eggs onto broad-leaved plants, aquarium glass, or spawning mops. Once spawning is complete, the adult fish should be removed to prevent them from eating the eggs. The fry hatch after a few days and require very small live foods like microworms or freshly hatched brine shrimp.
- Compatibility & tankmates
- Community
- These peaceful catfish are highly compatible with a wide variety of community fish. They do exceptionally well with small tetras, rasboras, and dwarf cichlids that inhabit the middle and upper levels of the aquarium. Aggressive or large bottom-dwelling species should be avoided as they may bully the Corydoras pantanalensis or outcompete them for food. Keeping them in groups of at least six of their own kind is vital for their sense of security.
- Tank level
- Bottom
- Corydoras pantanalensis are strictly bottom dwellers, spending almost the entirety of their day sifting through the substrate in search of food. They require a soft, sandy substrate to prevent damage to their delicate barbels, which are essential for sensing their environment. While they occasionally dart to the surface to take in a breath of atmospheric air, they immediately return to the bottom. Decor elements like caves, driftwood, and low-lying plants provide them with much-needed resting spots.
Scientific Parameters & Models
FishBase
Window to the official scientific data of the species
Data synced on: 06/15/2026
- Trophic level
- 2.9 ± 0.3 se
- Resilience
- High (less than 15 months)
- Phylogenetic uniqueness (PD50)
- 0.5
- Bayesian Length-Weight
- a = 0.02455, b = 3
- VulnerabilityLow vulnerability (10 / 100)
Image gallery
Licensed images linked to the species or, when marked, to the closest representative taxon.
Related species
Recommendations grouped by close relatives, companion choices, and similar care.
