How long do Bronze Corydoras live?
Bronze Corydoras live 5 or more years with good care. Stable, mature water and a soft substrate protect their barbels and extend life.
What do Bronze Corydoras eat?
They need sinking pellets, wafers, and frozen/live foods like bloodworms and daphnia; do not rely on leftover flakes. The common error is assuming they eat only scraps, so they starve while the top feeders get everything.
Tank size and water parameters
A 20-gallon (75 L) tank suits a group of 6. Target 72-79°F (22-26°C), pH 6.0-8.0, moderate hardness, zero ammonia and nitrite, nitrate under 20 ppm. Keep in groups of 6+ on smooth sand or fine gravel to protect barbels.
Common mistakes with Bronze Corydoras
Deadliest errors: sharp gravel that erodes and infects their barbels; feeding them only leftovers so they starve; too small a group (they are social); and ammonia/nitrite spikes, which they are sensitive to.
Beginner mistakes to avoid
- Sharp gravel — it wears and infects their sensitive barbels; use sand or smooth substrate.
- Feeding only scraps — give them their own sinking food.
- Keeping a lone cory — they need a school of 6+.
- Ignoring water quality — corydoras are sensitive to ammonia and nitrite.