Sunburst Orange Corydoras 1"

Sunburst Orange Corydoras (Corydoras aeneus; also classified as Osteogaster aenea)

Appearance & Behavior

Add a vibrant orange accent and gentle bottom-level activity to your freshwater aquarium with Sunburst Orange Corydoras. This colorful variety pairs an eye-catching appearance with the peaceful, social behavior of bronze cory catfish. A settled group explores the substrate together, using sensitive barbels to search for food before resting among plants and shaded retreats. These sociable fish feel most secure with their own species. Occasional trips to the surface for air are normal, but frequent surface visits or labored breathing warrant a water-quality and oxygenation check.

Quick Care Guide

• Care Level: Easy to moderate; best in an established aquarium

• Temperament: Peaceful and social

• Adult Size: Approximately 2.5–3 inches; females usually larger

• Minimum Aquarium Size: 20 gallons long for a group; larger aquariums recommended for additional bottom dwellers and community stocking

• Temperature: 72–79°F

• pH: 6.0–7.5

• Water Hardness: Soft to moderately hard water, approximately 2–20 dGH

• Diet: Omnivore; requires dedicated sinking foods

• Swimming Area: Bottom, with occasional trips to the surface

• Recommended Quantity: At least 6 of the same species when aquarium space and stocking allow

Aquarium Setup & Compatibility

Provide fine sand or smooth, rounded substrate, open foraging areas, and shaded retreats among plants and driftwood. Sunburst Orange Corydoras do best in a fully cycled aquarium with stable water conditions, clean substrate, and good oxygenation. Plan for their adult size when choosing an aquarium. Avoid sharp gravel, keep access to the surface unobstructed, and use a secure lid. Provide a regular day-and-night lighting cycle with shaded places to rest. These fish do not replace substrate cleaning or water changes.

Good companions include peaceful small tetras, rasboras, and small gouramis with compatible care requirements. Plant-safe snails and adult dwarf shrimp may coexist, though tiny shrimplets can be eaten opportunistically. Avoid aggressive fish, larger predators, and territorial bottom dwellers that may prevent them from feeding or resting. Bronze, albino aeneus, Electric Green, and Moonrise Pink corys are varieties of the same species and can join their social group; unrelated Corydoras species should not be relied on to meet that need.

Feeding

Offer a quality sinking catfish pellet or wafer as a staple, supplemented with Hatchery Diet 1.2 mm when it reaches the bottom, Daphnia, and Bloodworms. Adjust food size for younger fish. Feed small portions in open areas and confirm that each fish gets food; feeding near lights-out can help in busy community aquariums. Sunburst Orange Corydoras are not algae eaters and should never be expected to survive on scraps or fish waste.