Data sheet panda armored catfish
German name:
Panda armored catfish
Scientific name:
Corydoras panda
Origin:
South America: Peru, Amazon tributaries
Size:
5 cm
Aquarium
Length:
60 cm
Contents:
Lighting:
Light to shady
Furnishings:
plants, sandy soil
water values
Temperature:
22-25ºC
PH value:
7
carbonate hardness:
total hardness:
5 – 10 °dGH
Behave
Number
6
Area:
Floor
propagation:
egglayer
Lining:
omnivore
Behave:
school fish
Difficulty level:
Beginner
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General information about Corydoras panda
Corydoras panda. Photo: Marc KevinCorydoras panda, also known as panda armored catfish, are robust swarm animals. They like to lie close together in a group. Corydoras panda are very peaceful. They are also suitable for small aquariums and can be kept together with small tetras.
The animals should not be kept too warm. The temperature should not be permanently above 25° to 26°C. 28 to 30°C are tolerated for some time. The animals need clean, oxygen-rich water. The animals easily contract bacterial infections.
The sexes are distinguishable, although sometimes this is not easy. The females are rounder, especially in the abdomen. The best way to do this is to look at the animals directly from above.
Corydoras panda eat growth food in the algae lawn and soil, small worms, food tablets and flake food, etc.
Breeding of panda armored catfish
Corydoras panda Photo: Angela Adomeit
Animals ready to spawn spawn about 2 days after water changes with cooler water. The water should be soft to medium hard. If possible, about 60% of the aquarium water is replaced with osmosis water. The water does not have to be acidic, a neutral pH value of around 7 is sufficient.
The temperature can briefly drop to 20°C. They spawn, for example, in filter floss, java moss and dwarf spear leaves. Killifish spawning wool mops can also be used as spawning substrate.
If a lot of live food is given after the water changes, they usually start to float. Mostly after the lights have gone out or it’s getting noticeably darker.
4mm young Corydoras panda Source: Image on Wikimedia Commons License: Public domain Author: Calilasseia
Rearing is not easy, as the eggs are laid singly or in pairs and are eaten with pleasure. Even so, the yield can be plentiful. For example, three females laid a total of around 70-80 eggs over two days. About 15 to 25 eggs are released per spawning session. Some females spawn evenly over several hours. Others only spawn at night. Preferences seem to differ. Corydoras panda eggs are spherical and cream-colored. If the parents find their eggs, the eggs will be eaten.
The young hatch after 5 to 8 days, depending on the temperature and some other factors.
If as many young as possible are to be raised, they should be reared in a separate rearing tank. A run-in and algae-covered tank is best. Even brush algae are helpful there. Otherwise there is a lot of work for constant water changes, vacuuming the soil, etc. There are enough microorganisms in the sludge and in the algae carpets for the young panda armored catfish to feed on.
Even so, there are usually some losses in the first attempts.
Liquid food, Babystar, Liquifry, infusiorium and peeled artemia eggs are suitable as the first additional food for the larvae. Further rearing can take place with Artemia, powdered food, etc.
After 6 to 8 weeks, the young take on the panda coloration. After 8 to 12 months, the young are 4 to 5 centimeters tall and thus fully grown. Subsequent children sometimes need half a year longer.