Longfin Bronze Corydoras (Corydoras aeneus)

Longfin Bronze Corydoras is the long-fin aquarium form of the Bronze Cory. In the UK trade it is still very widely sold under the familiar name Corydoras aeneus, so that wording is retained in the product title for customer recognition and search clarity. Current taxonomy places the species as Osteogaster aenea; both names refer to the same Bronze Cory lineage on this listing.

Use the live size selector for current supplied size, price and availability. These are social bottom-dwellers, so plan the aquarium for a group rather than a single fish.

Quick care

• UK trade name: Longfin Bronze Corydoras / Longfin Bronze Cory
• Familiar trade scientific name: Corydoras aeneus
• Current accepted name: Osteogaster aenea
• Adult size: around 6–7 cm
• Group: at least 6; larger groups are preferable where space allows
• Practical aquarium baseline: around 60–80 litres with useful floor space
• Temperature: around 22–27°C
• pH: roughly 6.0–7.5
• Temperament: peaceful and social
• Diet: omnivorous bottom-feeder; requires targeted sinking food

Aquarium setup

Fine sand is the safest and most natural substrate because Bronze Corys spend much of the day nosing and sifting through the bottom. Smooth fine gravel can work, but avoid sharp or abrasive material that can damage barbels and the underside of the fish.

Provide open feeding areas, plants and wood around the edges, and gentle-to-moderate filtration with good oxygenation. Corys can take occasional gulps of atmospheric air at the surface; this is normal behaviour, but repeated frantic surface visits can also indicate a water-quality or oxygen problem and should be checked.

Group behaviour

Keep at least six. In a proper group they are more confident, forage together and spend more time visible in the open. A single Cory may survive but will not show the normal social behaviour expected from the species.

The long-fin form needs the same social care as the standard Bronze Cory, with a little extra attention to fin damage. Avoid sharp décor and persistent fin-nipping tank mates.

Feeding

Corydoras are not aquarium vacuum cleaners and should not be expected to live on leftovers. Feed a quality sinking pellet or granule as the staple, supported by frozen or live foods such as daphnia, Artemia, bloodworm or other suitably sized foods.

Drop food into more than one area when the aquarium contains fast midwater fish. Check that every Cory is getting a share rather than assuming food on the substrate means the group has eaten enough.

Tank mates

Longfin Bronze Corys suit peaceful community aquariums with tetras, rasboras, small livebearers and other calm species that share similar water conditions. They can also live with many peaceful dwarf cichlids in a larger aquarium, although breeding cichlids may defend the bottom area aggressively.

Avoid large predators, aggressive bottom dwellers and fish that repeatedly nip extended fins. Very warm specialist communities can also be a poor match if they are maintained above the Cory’s preferred long-term temperature.

Sexing and breeding

Mature females are normally broader and deeper-bodied, particularly when viewed from above, while males tend to remain slimmer. Young fish are difficult to sex reliably.

Bronze Corys are egg scatterers that often use the characteristic Cory “T-position” during spawning. Eggs may be placed on glass, plants or other surfaces. Adults provide no parental care, so breeders usually move the eggs or adults to protect the clutch.

Before ordering

Choose Longfin Bronze Corydoras if you have a mature peaceful aquarium with fine substrate and enough room for a proper group. Reconsider if the tank only has room for one or two fish, uses sharp gravel or contains persistent fin-nippers.

The live product selector remains the source for current supplied size, stock and price.