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Last update: March 26, 2024

15 Best Cory Catfish Tank Mates – FishLab

Looking to make a brighter splash in the tank of your cory catfish by adding a few fishy friends? In order to make sure you don’t upset the delicate ecosystem or peace in your aquarium, check out our list of the 15 Best Cory Catfish Tank Mates!

The Best Cory Catfish Tank Mates include peaceful fish, similar in temperament to the bottom-dwelling catfish, unlikely to start fights or increase the stress in their environment. Some of these include nerite snails and other catfish species that are similar in size.

In this article, we’ll show you what you need to know about cory catfish so that you can select the best tank mates from our list of the top 15 candidates. We’ll also go over what makes each of these tank mates such a great fit for your aquarium.

Cory Catfish Tank Mates – What You Need to Know

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In order to optimally care for your Cory Catfish, especially when adding other fish to the mix, you should remember to be aware of the following contributing factors:

Temperament

Cory catfish make finding suitable temperaments pretty easy thanks to a few factors, but one of the main ones in its favor is their peaceful temperament. Cory catfish like company, and they keep to themselves when it comes to busier fish.

However, if you get tank mates that are overly aggressive and bring that bad attitude to the zone of the cory catfish, you may have trouble on your hands. Be sure to find other fish that match tempers with this gentle bottom-dweller.

Size

Size matters in more areas than one when it comes to keeping an aquarium, but in terms of tank mates, it is double important! Fish that are too different in size can wind up bullying or eating one another, and fish that occupy to big a space in the same tank can crowd and stress one another.

A cory catfish can be anywhere from 1 to 2.5 inches, so be sure to get tank mates that are similar in size.

Competition

Competition for food is one of the main dangers when it comes to building a community within the tank. If two types of fish eat the same diet and feed during the same times of day, they might wind up bullying one another out of a square meal and facing starvation.

The cory catfish eats at the bottom of the tank, mostly enjoying worms, algae and shrimp pellets, and any leftovers that reach the floor. Sometimes, all you need for tank mates is to make sure their competing food floats rather than sinks.

Parameters ; Tank Setup

Tank parameters are essential to any type of sea or freshwater creature’s health. Without the right parameters, fish can become agitated or even ill. Cory catfish need a tank temperature of 72 to 82 F and like to have gravel or sandy substrata to swim near. Get tank mates that can thrive in a similar environment!

Cory Catfish Tank Mates

Let’s take a look at which 15 fish make the ideal candidates for tank mates when it comes to cory catfish!

  1. Serpae Tetra
  2. Neon Tetra
  3. Harlequin Rasbora
  4. Nerite Snail
  5. Swordtail Fish
  6. Otocinclus Catfish
  7. Cherry Barb
  8. Fancy Guppy
  9. Zebra Danio
  10. Angelfish
  11. Amano Shrimp
  12.  Cherry Shrimp
  13. Kuhli Loach
  14. Honey Gourami
  15. Hatchetfish

Let’s dive even more deeply into the 15 best tank mates for your cory catfish so you can make the most out of whichever lucky winner you select!

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1. Serpae Tetra

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  • Scientific Name: Hyphessobrycon eques
  • Adult Size: 2 inches
  • Compatible With: Cory Catfish
  • Water Temperature: 72 to 79 F
  • Minimum Tank Size: 20 gallons
  • Care Level: Easy
  • Origin: Amazon

These sharp-looking little red and black fish are social, much like your cory catfish, though they tend to inhabit the middle of the tank. As long as they have enough of their own kind, namely 6, to school with, they’ll feel confident and content enough to live in harmony with a cory catfish.

Pros of keeping with Cory Catfish:

  • No food competition
  • No aggression

Cons of keeping with Cory Catfish :

  • Needs at least six of its own kind to remain peaceful.

2. Neon Tetra

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  • Scientific Name: Paracheirodon innesi
  • Adult Size: 1.5 inches
  • Compatible With: Cory Catfish
  • Water Temperature: 68 to 79 F
  • Minimum Tank Size: 10 gallons
  • Care Level: Easy
  • Origin: Peru, Brazil

Neon tetras are noted for their adorably small size, but their coloring causes them to stand brightly out in the aquarium. This will add liveliness to any tank without stressing out a cory catfish thanks to matching peaceable temperaments and different tank zone occupations!

Pros of keeping with Cory Catfish:

  • No aggression
  • No competition

Cons of keeping with Cory Catfish :

  • None!

3. Harlequin Rasbora

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  • Scientific Name: Rasbora Heteromorpha
  • Adult Size: 2 inches
  • Compatible With: Cory Catfish
  • Water Temperature: 72 to 79 F
  • Minimum Tank Size: 10 gallons
  • Care Level: Easy
  • Origin: Thaland, Sumatra

You’ll want this unique-looking fish in your tank if you’re a fan of bright colors, an entertaining swimmer, and a unique shape all in one small package! The harlequin raspbora is an easily-cared for fish that, although it enjoys all zones of the aquarium, poses no harm to a catfish.

Pros of keeping with Cory Catfish:

  • No aggression
  • No competition

Cons of keeping with Cory Catfish :

  • None!

4. Nerite Snail

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  • Scientific Name: Vittina natalensis
  • Adult Size: 1.5 inches
  • Compatible With: Cory Catfish
  • Water Temperature: 72 to 78 F
  • Minimum Tank Size: 2 gallons
  • Care Level: Medium Difficulty
  • Origin: Africa

Talk about a little variety; instead of only fish, try adding this easily cared-for snail to your community! It won’t bother your cory catfish, but it will need a bit of a specific temperature to thrive in.

Pros of keeping with Cory Catfish:

  • No aggression
  • No competition

Cons of keeping with Cory Catfish :

  • Needs carefully regulated temperature

5. Swordtail Fish

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  • Scientific Name: Xixiphophorus helleri
  • Adult Size: 3 to 4 inches
  • Compatible With: Cory Catfish
  • Water Temperature: 64 to 82 F
  • Minimum Tank Size:20 Gallons
  • Care Level: Easy
  • Origin: Mexico, South America

The striking contrast between yellow, long fins and deep blue scales make this fish a must-have for most aquariums. Given it’s peaceful personality and separate zone of choice, the aquarium of your cory catfish should be no exception.

Pros of keeping with Cory Catfish:

  • No aggression
  • No competition

Cons of keeping with Cory Catfish :

  • None!

6. Otocinclus Catfish

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  • Scientific Name: Otocinclus
  • Adult Size: 1 to 2 inches
  • Compatible With: Cory Catfish
  • Water Temperature: 72 to 79 F
  • Minimum Tank Size: 10 gallons
  • Care Level: Easy
  • Origin: South America

Getting another catfish to keep your cory catfish company at the bottom of the tank works out just fine when you pick an otocinclus catfish! They are peaceful, but their small size and calm nature means they can’t be in a tank with any carnivorous, aggressive fish.

Pros of keeping with Cory Catfish:

  • No aggression
  • No competition

Cons of keeping with Cory Catfish :

  • None

7. Cherry Barb

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  • Scientific Name: Puntius titteya
  • Adult Size: 2 inches
  • Compatible With: Cory Catfish
  • Water Temperature: 74 to 79 F
  • Minimum Tank Size: 25 gallons
  • Care Level: Easy
  • Origin: Sri Lanka

This brightly colored fish will pair well with your more sedate cory catfish species, and it will be fine surfing the middle zone of the tank.

Pros of keeping with Cory Catfish:

  • No aggression
  • No competition

Cons of keeping with Cory Catfish :

  • None

8. Fancy Guppy

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  • Scientific Name: Poecilia reticulata
  • Adult Size: 2 inches
  • Compatible With: Cory Catfish
  • Water Temperature: 68 to 78 F
  • Minimum Tank Size: 10 Gallon
  • Care Level: Easy
  • Origin: South America

The guppy is not just a term for small or young fish; this is a species that is noted for it’s beautiful coloration! It will lend that beauty to your cory catfish tank without bothering the peaceful bottom-dweller.

Pros of keeping with Cory Catfish:

  • No aggression
  • No competition

Cons of keeping with Cory Catfish :

  • None!

9. Zebra Danio

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  • Scientific Name: Cyprinidae
  • Adult Size: 2 inches
  • Compatible With: Cory Catfish
  • Water Temperature: 64 to 74 F
  • Minimum Tank Size: 10 gallons
  • Care Level: Easy
  • Origin: East India

This East Indian Danio has already made a splash in fish collecting communities thanks to its easy-going nature and availability. It will cause no problems, be it aggression or competition, for cory catfish.

Pros of keeping with Cory Catfish:

  • No aggression
  • No competition

Cons of keeping with Cory Catfish :

  • None!

10. Angelfish

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  • Scientific Name: Pterophyllum
  • Adult Size: 3 to 4 inches
  • Compatible With: Cory Catfish
  • Water Temperature: 75 to 82 F
  • Minimum Tank Size: 20 gallons
  • Care Level: Easy
  • Origin: South America

Angelfish are dignified and elegant looking, and as a bonus, they will provide you with a bit more movement and entertainment than most cory catfish without being bullies.

Pros of keeping with Cory Catfish:

  • No aggression
  • No competition

Cons of keeping with Cory Catfish :

  • None

11. Amano Shrimp

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Scientific Name: Caridina Multidentata

Adult Size: 2 inches

Compatible With: Cory Catfish

Water Temperature: 60 to 80 F

Minimum Tank Size: 10 gallons

Care Level: Easy

Origin: Japan

Not only will you not have to worry about Amano Shrimp picking on your middle-dwelling tetras as it scuttles along plants and the bottom zone, but it will clean up detritus while adding visual interest to your fish-filled aquarium.

Pros of keeping with Cory Catfish:

  • Cleans up leftovers
  • No aggression
  • No competition

Cons of keeping with Cory Catfish :

  • None!

12. Cherry Shrimp

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  • Scientific Name: Neocaridina davidi
  • Adult Size: 1 to 1.5 inches
  • Compatible With: Cory Catfish
  • Water Temperature: 65 to 85 F
  • Minimum Tank Size: 5 gallons
  • Care Level: Easy
  • Origin: Taiwan

No need to fill your aquarium with fish alone; try this bright little flame of a shrimp to liven up the aquarium! It will keep among the leaves near the bottom of the tank without causing any harassment for your cory catfish.

Pros of keeping with Cory Catfish:

  • No aggression
  • No competition

Cons of keeping with Cory Catfish :

  • None!

13. Kuhli Loach

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  • Scientific Name: Pangio kuhlii
  • Adult Size: 3 to 4 inches
  • Compatible With: Cory Catfish
  • Water Temperature: 73 to 86 F
  • Minimum Tank Size: 20 gallons
  • Care Level: Easy
  • Origin: Southeast Asia

The kuhli loach will mind its own business happily acting as a living vacuum at the bottom of the tank, and although it will occupy much of the same zone as the cory catfish, it’s peaceful temperament will keep them from fighting as long as tanks are big enough.

Pros of keeping with Cory Catfish:

  • Little to no food competition
  • No aggression

Cons of keeping with Cory Catfish :

  • If the tank is not large enough, stress and aggression become a possibility

14. Honey Gourami

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  • Scientific Name: Trichogaster chuna
  • Adult Size: 2 inches
  • Compatible With: Cory Catfish
  • Water Temperature: 71 to 82 F
  • Minimum Tank Size: 10 Gallons
  • Care Level: Easy
  • Origin: South Asia

Add a spot of sunshine to your aquarium with the pretty orange-colored honey gourami! This sweet fish will not only provide you with endless entertainment, but no troubles for that cory catfish you love so dearly.

Pros of keeping with Cory Catfish:

  • No aggression
  • No competition

Cons of keeping with Cory Catfish :

  • None!

15.  Hatchetfish

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  • Scientific Name: Carnegiella strigata
  • Adult Size: 1 to 1.5 inches
  • Compatible With: Cory Catfish
  • Water Temperature: 78 to 82 F
  • Minimum Tank Size: 30 gallons
  • Care Level: Easy
  • Origin: Brazil

These interestingly-shaped fish may be large, but they tend to stay at the top of the aquarium. This way, they will pose no threat of stress to your bottom-dwelling cory catfish.

Pros of keeping with Cory Catfish

  • No aggression
  • No competition
  • Different zone dwelling

Cons of keeping with Cory Catfish 

  • None

In Conclusion

To wrap it all up, the 15 Best Cory Catfish Tank Mates are fish that are not too small or too large, will not compete for food too aggressively, and won’t stir up trouble with the peace-loving catfish. Some of these include gentle gouramis and hatchetfish, or confident schoolers like serpae tetras! Build your cory catfish’s neighbors on these compatible fish.

Ian Sterling

Ian Sterling, founder of Fishlab.com, began his aquarium journey over 30 years ago, driven by a deep fascination for fish and their diverse personalities. His website, Fishlab.com, is dedicated to making fishkeeping accessible and enjoyable, offering beginner-friendly guidance, expert insights, and a community for aquarists to connect and share experiences.

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