Meet the Cory Catfish! Here’s How to Keep Them in Real Life

Cory catfish aren’t related to kitties, but they do have one interesting feature in common: whiskers! Catfish use their whiskers to navigate the bottom of the aquarium, helping them to taste and smell. These fish are shy and often look for places to hide, but they still enjoy company and should be kept in groups of three or more.

Where Does the Name “Cory” Come From?

“Cory” is short for “Corydoras,” which refers to a group of catfish species from South America. There are over 170 cory catfish species in the world, and many of them make excellent pets!

Step 1: Set Up Your Cory Catfish Aquarium

Cory catfish come in different sizes, but most will need an aquarium that’s at least 20 gallons. Before buying any fish, here’s what you’ll need to set up your fish tank:

• Aquarium heater: Check the box before buying a heater to make sure it’s strong enough to heat up the size of your aquarium.
• Aquarium thermometer: Most aquarium thermometers have a suction cup that sticks to the inside of the aquarium.
• Filter: A filter helps keep the aquarium water clean, and many aquarium kits come with one.
• Gravel: Ask your parent or guardian to wash the gravel before adding it to your aquarium.
• Gravel vacuum: This tool will help you remove gunk from your tank and keep the water clean.
• Plastic plants and a cave: Cory catfish come from tropical pools, and giving them some plants will help them feel more at home. You should also give them a cave or similar aquarium decoration to hide in.
• Water conditioner: Available in a bottle, this liquid helps make tap water safe for fish.

After your tank is set up, it’s time to fill it with water. With an adult’s help, use a pitcher or hose to fill the aquarium with tap water that’s about 77°F. (Water that’s too hot or cold can make your fish sick.)

Step 2: Add Your Cory Catfish to the Aquarium

Once you choose some cory catfish from the pet store, you’ll need to “float” them in your aquarium. Your fish will be given to you in a sealed plastic bag filled with water, and you should place this bag in your aquarium as soon as you get home. This will help your fish get used to your tank’s water temperature. After 15 to 20 minutes, gently untie the bag and let your fish swim into the aquarium—their new home!

Step 3: Take Care of Your Cory Catfish

Cory catfish are usually very strong and healthy fish. As long as you follow the steps below, you’ll be helping your fish live a happy life!

Daily Jobs

• Feed your fish: Only give your fish as much as they can eat in 30 seconds. (Overfeeding can make them sick.)
• Check the temperature: Make sure the aquarium water stays around 77°F. If it gets too cold, your aquarium heater can help raise the temperature.
• Monitor your fish: If you see white spots on the body, sores, or faded color, your fish may be sick and might need some medicine from the pet store.
• Turn the aquarium lights on/off: Fish generally need 8 to 12 hours of light each day.
• Inspect the equipment: Make sure your filter is running and the lights are working. If something is wrong, ask an adult for help.

Monthly Jobs

• Vacuum the tank: Fish waste and uneaten food build up in every fish tank over time! With some help from an adult, follow the instructions on your gravel vacuum to remove this gunk.
• Refill the water: Draining some water and replacing it with fresh water can help keep your fish from getting sick. Once you finish vacuuming the tank, ask an adult to help you refill the water with a bucket or hose. You’ll need to use a water conditioner to make the water safe for fish. Just follow the instructions on the bottle!
• Replace the filter cartridge: Most aquarium filters contain cartridges that remove junk from the water, and they generally need to be replaced once a month.

Step 4: Find Friends for Your Cory Catfish

• Cherry barbs
• Guppies
• Swordtails

Purr-fect Fish!