Corydoras with shrimp

By the Shrimp Tank Hub editorsUpdated Oct 26, 2026Research-based

Corydoras, or cory catfish, are small armored catfish from South America and one of the most popular community bottom dwellers (Aquarium Co-Op). This guide covers the standard-size species most people buy: the bronze cory (Corydoras aeneus), panda cory (C. panda), sterbai cory (C. sterbai), julii cory and peppered cory. The Shrimp Farm notes that recent DNA work moved most of them out of Corydoras, so you may see names like Osteogaster aenea or Hoplisoma panda; the care is the same. For the tiny species, see pygmy corydoras with shrimp.

Cories at a glance

The Shrimp Farm also lists julii (up to 2.2 in) and peppered cories (2.8 in) at 20 gallons or more. Aquarium Co-Op says most cories like 72–82 °F, with peppered and julii at the cooler end and sterbai able to take warmer water, and pH 6.5–7.8. The two panda temperature ranges differ noticeably; both agree pandas want cooler water than most cories.

Will corydoras eat shrimp?

• Adults: no. Every standard-size cory on The Shrimp Farm's tankmates list is rated "does not eat adult shrimp", and its panda cory guide calls them a particularly good tankmate choice for shrimp.
• Shrimplets: occasionally. The Shrimp Farm says a cory can't be trusted not to eat a baby shrimp sitting right in front of it, but that newly hatched shrimp usually stay hidden for their first few weeks. Practical Fishkeeping puts corys in its "maybe" group, which will almost certainly eat some young, and says plants, hiding places and well-fed fish reduce losses.
• Shrimp helping cories: Seriously Fish notes that some breeders use cherry shrimp in cory egg tanks to pick fungus off the eggs.

Our reading: cories are one of the gentlest fish you can add to a cherry shrimp tank. The practical issues are substrate, food and temperature, not predation. Compare other bottom dwellers in kuhli loaches with shrimp and bristlenose plecos with shrimp, and the full list in cherry shrimp tank mates.

Matching the water

The shared zones are our comparison of the published ranges, not tested targets; for panda cories we picked a middle band between the two sources. The Shrimp Farm calls the bronze cory a hardy fish that does well across a range of parameters, and says pandas are less hardy and sensitive to poor water quality. The panda's preference for cooler water is part of why The Shrimp Farm likes it with shrimp. See shrimp tank temperature, shrimp tank pH and shrimp GH and KH explained.

Substrate: sand or smooth gravel

Cories dig through the substrate with sensitive barbels. The Shrimp Farm recommends sand or rounded "caviar" gravel, Seriously Fish prefers fine sand and says rounded gravel is acceptable if kept scrupulously clean, and Seriously Fish says cories kept on dirty substrate can lose their barbels. Aquarium Co-Op adds that barbel erosion is often caused by poor water quality. For the shrimp side of the choice, see best substrate for shrimp. Leave some open sand for digging, with plants, rocks and wood around the edges for cover (The Shrimp Farm).

Tank size and group

• Group of one species: Aquarium Co-Op says to keep at least six of the same species; The Shrimp Farm suggests 6–8 bronze cories and at least 8 pandas. Seriously Fish says cories are much more confident in a group.
• Tank: Aquarium Co-Op recommends 20 gallons or more for most species, and The Shrimp Farm says 20 gallons long for bronze cories. Seriously Fish allows a smaller 18 × 12 in base for a small group of pandas or sterbai but a 31 × 12 in base for bronze cories. Footprint matters more than height for a bottom dweller. See how many shrimp per gallon.
• Filter and plants: guard the intake for shrimplets (shrimp-safe filters) and add moss so babies have cover (java moss).

Feeding two bottom feeders

Cories and shrimp both eat from the bottom, so feeding takes a little planning.

• Feed the cories on purpose: Aquarium Co-Op says cories are not algae eaters and need to be fed, and can be outcompeted by faster eaters. It suggests sinking wafers, gel foods and worms such as frozen bloodworms. The Shrimp Farm says pandas lean toward meaty foods.
• Feed the shrimp too: shrimp will crowd onto cory wafers. Spread food in two spots, or feed shrimp food in a dish in the plants. See best shrimp food and what do shrimp eat.
• Remove leftovers: uneaten sinking food fouls the substrate cories dig in.

Eggs in a shrimp tank

Aquarium Co-Op says cories breed readily and may leave sticky eggs on the glass and decor, and that all fish, including the parents, will eat them. Aquarium Co-Op says dense cover such as java fern or guppy grass improves survival, or you can move the eggs to a separate tank. Shrimp are not egg predators here; as above, Seriously Fish notes breeders use cherry shrimp to clean cory eggs.

Handle with care

Aquarium Co-Op and Seriously Fish both warn that cories have sharp fin spines that can deliver a mild venom when the fish are stressed. Use a net rather than your hands.

How to add corydoras to a shrimp tank

• Shrimp first. Practical Fishkeeping suggests letting the colony build up before adding fish.
• Mature tank: fully cycled with weekly water changes (The Shrimp Farm); see how to cycle a shrimp tank.
• Quarantine the fish separately. Practical Fishkeeping says many fish medications are not safe for invertebrates. If fish get sick, ask a fish veterinarian or an experienced store about treatment that won't harm the shrimp. See how to quarantine and is copper toxic to shrimp.

Common mistakes

• Keeping one or two cories, or mixing single fish of several species.
• Sharp gravel or a dirty substrate.
• Assuming cories live on leftovers.
• Keeping pandas in a warm tank, or sterbai in a cool one.
• No cover for shrimplets.
• Medicating fish in the shrimp tank.

Track it

Log temperature, pH, GH and TDS on the free Water Parameter Log printable so you can keep the tank in the range both species share.

Frequently asked questions

Do corydoras eat shrimp?

Not adult shrimp. The Shrimp Farm rates bronze, panda, sterbai, julii and peppered cories as not eating adult shrimp; their small mouths limit them to newly hatched shrimplets they happen to find.

Can cory catfish live with cherry shrimp?

Yes. The Shrimp Farm calls panda cories a particularly good shrimp tankmate and says Neocaridina colonies do fine with them. Give shrimplets moss and plants for cover.

Which corydoras is best with shrimp?

Match the species to your temperature. Panda cories prefer cooler water, sterbai cories warmer water, and bronze cories are hardy across a middle range (The Shrimp Farm, Seriously Fish). For nano tanks, see pygmy corydoras.

How many corydoras should I keep with shrimp?

At least six of the same species, per Aquarium Co-Op; The Shrimp Farm suggests at least 8 panda cories.

Do cories need sand in a shrimp tank?

Sand or smooth, rounded gravel. The Shrimp Farm and Seriously Fish say rough or dirty substrate can damage their barbels.

Will my shrimp steal the cories' food?

Shrimp will crowd onto sinking wafers. Aquarium Co-Op says cories need to be fed on purpose and can be outcompeted, so spread food out or feed in two spots.

Sources: The Shrimp Farm, Shrimp tankmates and compatibility (bronze cory Osteogaster aenea, up to 3 in, 20+ gallons, beginner-proof; sterbai Hoplisoma sterbai, up to 2.5 in, 20+ gallons; julii, up to 2.2 in, 20+ gallons, small mouth limits it to newly hatched shrimp right in front of it; peppered Hoplisoma paleatum, 2.8 in, 20+ gallons; panda Hoplisoma panda, up to 2 in, 15+ gallons, moderate, less hardy; all rated does not eat adult shrimp); The Shrimp Farm, Bronze cory (Corydoras aeneus) care (shrimp-safe, can't be trusted not to eat a baby shrimp right in front of it, newly hatched shrimp usually stay hidden; species complex, renamed; 20 gallons long; sandy or rounded caviar substrate; open digging space with rocks, wood and plants around the margins; hardy, beginner-proof; fully cycled, weekly water change; 72–78 °F, pH 6.0–8.0, 50–250 ppm hardness; group of at least 6–8); The Shrimp Farm, Panda corydoras care (cooler water, not adapted to over 77 °F, 65–68 °F; pH 6–7.5, up to 8; particularly good shrimp tankmate; may eat a baby shrimp, Neocaridina colonies and Amanos do fine; 20 gallons or up; sand or fine rounded gravel; at least 8; meaty foods; sensitive to poor water quality); Seriously Fish, Corydoras aeneus (bronze cory) (75 mm SL; 31 × 12 in base; 70–81 °F, pH 6.0–8.0, 2–15 dGH; group of 4–6 or more; fine sand, rounded gravel if kept clean; spines may be mildly venomous); Seriously Fish, Corydoras panda (50 mm SL; 18 × 12 in base, about 11 gallons, for a small group; 72–77 °F, pH 6.0–7.4, 1–12 dGH; at least six; dirty substrate can cost barbels); Seriously Fish, Corydoras sterbai (65 mm SL; 18 × 12 in base for a small group; 75–82 °F, pH 6.0–7.6, 1–15 dGH; at least six; some breeders use cherry shrimp to pick fungus from eggs); Aquarium Co-Op, Care guide for cory catfish (more than 160 species, 1–3 in; sharp spines with mild venom when stressed; most 72–82 °F, peppered and julii cooler, sterbai warmer; pH 6.5–7.8; 20 gallons or more for most species; at least six of the same species; smooth sand or gravel, barbel erosion often from poor water quality; sinking wafers, gel food, worms; not algae eaters, can be outcompeted; breed easily, eggs on glass and decor, all fish eat eggs, cover or move eggs); Practical Fishkeeping, What can I keep with shrimp? (corys in the "maybe" group that will almost certainly eat the young; plants, hiding places and well-fed fish reduce losses; let the colony build first; many fish medications unsafe for invertebrates); The Shrimp Farm, Red rili shrimp tank set-up and care (cherry-type Neocaridina: 65–85 °F, pH 6.2–8.0, GH 4–8). The shared water zones are our own comparison of these ranges.