You’ve probably heard that cory catfish are considered to be some of the best community tank fish out there. These fish are so incredibly peaceful that they generally won’t fight other fish.
It should be easy to find good tank mates for cory catfish. The cory catfish are bottom feeders that will hang out by the substrate and mind their own business.
Of course, that doesn’t mean that cory catfish are compatible with all types of freshwater fish. There are some fish that will be a danger to them if you put them in the community tank together.
Keep reading to learn about the best options for cory catfish tank mates. This will show you what fish will work out well as tank mates for your fish.
You’ll also get the answers to some common questions that are related to this topic. To ensure that you’re able to do things safely, it’ll be best to read everything so that you can set up your community tank with confidence.
Can Cory Catfish Live with Shrimp?
Cory catfish are some of the few fish that you can actually keep in the same tank as shrimp. Many other popular types of freshwater fish are known to eat shrimp, but cory catfish are peaceful enough that they will leave them alone.
Both shrimp and cory catfish are very peaceful. The cory catfish will just hang out at the bottom of the fish tank and do their own thing.
You shouldn’t encounter any problems when keeping these fish together. However, it is possible that some of the larger types of cory catfish won’t be as good with the shrimp.
Bearded cory catfish can grow to be four inches long. This would make them too big to be safely kept with certain types of shrimp.
Regardless, it’s good to know that shrimp can live safely with many of the average-sized cory catfish. It’ll work out fine, and you can enjoy having them both in your tank.
Will Cory Catfish Eat Shrimp?
Technically, cory catfish will eat shrimp if they need a meal. In fact, it’s fairly common for people to give cory catfish shrimp pellets as a snack.
It isn’t likely that cory catfish will seek out shrimp, though. When shrimp isn’t a part of their regular diet, cory catfish won’t try to eat shrimp.
You should be safe to keep the shrimp in the tank with the cory cats. As mentioned above, you might want to shy away from keeping shrimp with the very largest cory catfish just to be safe.
Some cory catfish are very small, too. Even though cory catfish are omnivores, most shrimp don’t have anything to fear from average cory catfish.
What Types of Shrimp Can Live with Cory Catfish?
There are several types of shrimp that should work out fine as tank mates for cory catfish. The first type to consider is the amano shrimp.
Amano shrimp will grow to be two inches long. They’re easier to care for than many other types of freshwater shrimp.
One good thing about putting amano shrimp in your fish tank is that they can help to keep things clean. They’re known for being able to eliminate algae.
Both cory catfish and amano shrimp hang out at the bottom of the fish tank. They should be able to get along well enough and share the area.
Red cherry shrimp can also be used as tank mates for cory catfish. These shrimp will also clean up algae from the tank the same way that the amano shrimp do.
Likewise, these shrimp like to be at the bottom of the tank. They get along just fine with cory catfish, though.
Red cherry shrimp are easy to breed if you keep a male and a female together. If you want to have more shrimp in the tank, then it might be a good idea to buy both a male and a female.
Can Cory Catfish Live with Bettas?
Cory catfish are well-known for being good tank mates for betta fish. Betta fish can thrive when being kept in a community tank with cory catfish.
This is largely because cory catfish are peaceful and don’t like to bother other fish. They are bottom feeders that hang out at the bottom of the tank sifting through the substrate.
Bettas and cory catfish probably won’t interact at all in the fish tank. They will never come into conflict with each other in a community fish tank setting.
If you want to have a safe community tank, then it’ll be easy to pair bettas with cory catfish. Bettas are beautiful fish that will look very nice in the same tank as the cory cats.
Can Cory Catfish Live with Goldfish?
Goldfish aren’t going to be good tank mates for cory catfish, sadly. This is because goldfish can grow large enough to eat certain types of cory catfish.
The smaller cory catfish might be in danger if you put them in a fish tank with goldfish. Larger cory catfish might be fine, though.
Aside from concerns about goldfish trying to eat smaller cory cats, it’s also true that goldfish require different water temperatures than cory catfish. Keeping cory catfish in the same tank as goldfish would be detrimental to the health of the fish.
Either the cory catfish or the goldfish would have to live in water temperatures that they aren’t accustomed to. It’s very likely that one of the fish would die.
Can You Mix Different Types of Cory Catfish?
Yes, cory catfish can be mixed with other types of cory catfish. It would be prudent to look up specific compatibility information before moving forward, though.
Generally, it’s said that other types of cory catfish are the best tank mates for cory catfish. You could keep bronze cory catfish with panda cory catfish, and everything would go just fine.
That’s just one example out of the many possibilities. Many cory catfish have been known to school with cory catfish of other species.
No matter what, you need to remember that the cory catfish like to be with their own kind. It’s recommended to keep six of the same type of cory catfish in the fish tank together.
You can also mix and match other types of cory catfish, and things should be fine. Just know that some of the smallest types of cory catfish such as pygmy cory catfish might be in danger.
Pygmy cory catfish will only reach one inch in size at the most. Males are smaller than females and will only be three-fourths of an inch long.
This means that they might fit in the mouths of some of the larger cory catfish such as bearded cory cats. You should probably avoid keeping them with fish that are too big since they could potentially get eaten.
Otherwise, all cory catfish are generally quite peaceful. They will likely get along swimmingly in a community fish tank setting.
Can Cory Catfish Live with Neon Tetras?
Neon tetras are actually among the best tank mates that you will find for cory catfish. In fact, you can find these fish swimming along with cory catfish in the wild.
One of the reasons why neon tetras work out so well is that they are incredibly peaceful fish. They aren’t aggressive in any way, and they’re going to be happy in a fish tank with cory catfish.
Keep in mind that neon tetras need to be kept in groups since they’re schooling fish. You’re supposed to keep them in groups of fifteen to twenty fish.
If you’re keeping them in a community aquarium with cory catfish, then you’ll need a large enough tank to accommodate all of the fish. You’ll need at least six cory catfish, and that means that you’ll want a tank that provides all of the fish with plenty of space to swim around.
Can Cory Catfish Live with Swordtails?
Swordtails will be a good option when you’re looking for cory catfish tank mates. These are peaceful fish, but they’re a bit on the large side since they have the potential to be four inches long.
They won’t bother cory catfish in a community tank setting, though. These fish are very peaceful, and they don’t hang out in the same part of the tank as the cory cats.
Cory catfish occupy the bottom of the tank, and the swordtails won’t ever be too close to them. Many people keep swordtails and cory catfish together in community aquariums.
Note that swordtails are supposed to be kept in groups. You’ll need enough space to fit five swordtails and six cory catfish, at the very least.
Can Cory Catfish Live with Harlequin Rasboras?
Do you want to buy some fish that will add color to the community fish tank? Harlequin rasboras will fit the bill perfectly.
These are peaceful and relatively small fish that will get along with cory catfish. It’s also nice that these fish are hardy enough that beginners will have an easy time with them.
They’re schooling fish that prefer to be kept in groups of ten to twenty. However, many enthusiasts have had decent results when keeping only six of these fish together.
It’s also notable that there are other types of rasboras that are compatible with cory catfish and harlequin rasboras. So, you could seek out other rasboras for the community tank if you would like to.
Can Cory Catfish Live with Nerite Snails?
How about adding some snails to the community tank? Cory catfish will be able to live with nerite snails without encountering any problems.
These are very peaceful snails that are as simple to care for as possible. They can add some variety to your community fish tank.
You don’t need to worry about these snails bothering the cory catfish in any way. They will leave them alone for the most part.
Also, the cory catfish won’t try to eat these snails. It’s going to be a good experience if you choose to put nerite snails in your community tank.
Can Cory Catfish Live with Mollies?
There are quite a few different varieties of mollies that you can buy. All of them are going to work out just fine as tank mates for the cory catfish.
Mollies and cory catfish don’t live in the same parts of the fish tank. The mollies will never bother the cory cats at the bottom of the tank.
To ensure that things go as smoothly as possible, you must keep these fish in a fish tank that is big enough. Mollies and cory cats might chase each other if you try to cram them in very small fish tanks.
Even in a situation like that, the aggression levels would be quite mild. Regardless, it’s best to avoid cramming a fish tank with too many fish, and you should always strive to give the community fish an appropriately-sized tank.
Can Cory Catfish Live with Otocinclus Catfish?
The otocinclus catfish has the potential to be a cool part of your community aquarium. Those who aren’t that into snails might gravitate toward this algae eater.
Many people refer to these fish as oto cats since the full name is a bit of a mouthful. Oto cats and cory cats both live at the bottom of the tank, but they’re able to co-exist peacefully.
It’s also nice that the oto cats are so good at keeping brown algae from becoming a problem in the fish tank. These fish could be a very practical addition to your community aquarium.
Oto cats can be a bit tough to find tank mates for. They get along great with cory catfish, though, and that makes it well worth considering adding them to your tank.
Can Cory Catfish Live with Cherry Barbs?
Cherry barbs will be another good tank mate option for cory catfish. These fish are so bright and cheerful that they will make great additions to your community aquarium.
Like most of the fish being presented here, they are peaceful. These fish are actually quite shy, and that’s why they do so well with relaxed fish such as cory catfish.
If you want the cherry barbs to feel at home, then it’ll be imperative to give them hiding spaces in the tank. Ensure that you have little caves and aquatic plants that they can utilize.
You’ll really enjoy how pretty cherry barbs are in a community fish tank. They’ll do very well with your cory catfish, and you’ll be pleased that you chose them.
Can Cory Catfish Live with Angelfish?
If you know much about angelfish, then you might be surprised to see them being mentioned here. Angelfish are normally peaceful fish, but they can sometimes become aggressive.
These fish do become territorial when breeding. They can co-exist with your cory catfish so long as they have a big enough fish tank, though.
If the cory catfish have enough room to thrive, then they should be fine to live with angelfish. However, small cory catfish species such as pygmy cory catfish shouldn’t be in the same tank as angelfish.
Average-sized cory catfish and large ones should be just fine. Angelfish are beautiful, and they can be a good addition to a community fish tank when you do things right while taking the proper precautions.
Can Cory Catfish Live with Fancy Guppies?
Will fancy guppies be a good fit as tank mates for cory catfish? These are gorgeous fish that you would probably love to keep in your community aquarium alongside your cory cats.
Thankfully, fancy guppies make pretty good tank mates for cory catfish. They have peaceful personalities that allow them to get along nicely with cory catfish overall.
The only thing to be wary of involves keeping two male fancy guppies in the same tank. Males will sometimes be aggressive toward each other.
Otherwise, you don’t have anything much to worry about. This fish will also breed a lot, but that could be a good thing depending on your perspective.
Can Cory Catfish Live with Platy Fish?
Platy fish are also going to be very good tank mates for your cory catfish. Platies are very easy fish to take care of that will work out nicely in your community tank.
Not only do they get along well with cory catfish, but they’re known for getting along well with various other types of fish. If you’re looking to build a varied community aquarium, then you’ll be able to find a place for platy fish most certainly.
In many ways, platies look like goldfish. However, they’re so much easier to take care of than goldfish.
You’ll love keeping these fish in your fish tank. Your cory cats will approve of having them as neighbors, too.
Can Cory Catfish Live with Zebra Danios?
Zebra danios are often simply referred to as zebrafish. These fish stand out in a community tank because of how pretty they are.
They’re very good fish for community tanks because they have calm temperaments. It’s also nice that these fish are hardy and easy for beginners to take care of.
You’re supposed to keep at least six of these fish together. So you will need to ensure that you have a big enough tank for things to go well.
Trying to keep fewer than six fish in the same tank can lead to fighting among the zebrafish. It’s also notable that these fish live at all levels of the fish tank.
Can Cory Catfish Live with Honey Gouramis?
Honey gouramis are peaceful enough that they will be able to live with cory catfish. They are truly gorgeous fish that you’ll love looking at, too.
They’re a bit shy, and they like to live in pairs. Giving them hiding spots will likely be a good idea to help them to feel at ease.
You’ll find that honey gouramis will usually stay away from other fish in community tanks. This is why the relaxed and peaceful cory catfish work out so well as tank mates for them.
Both fish are so peaceful that they won’t bother each other. Just put plants and rocks in the tank to provide hiding spots for the fish, and everything will work out well.
Can Cory Catfish Live with Hatchetfish?
A hatchetfish might be a fun addition to a community tank as well. These fish live at the top layer of the aquarium, and that means that they won’t be near the cory catfish.
They’re small and peaceful fish that will generally never act aggressively. This does mean that they can’t be kept in community tanks with aggressive fish or fish that are too big.
These fish are known to get along nicely with cory catfish. Even if a cory catfish is coming to the surface to gulp air, it isn’t going to bother the hatchetfish.
You should know that hatchetfish aren’t the most beginner-friendly fish that you can buy. They aren’t incredibly difficult to care for, but they aren’t as hardy as the cory catfish.
Can Cory Catfish Live with Kuhli Loaches?
Kuhli loaches are a different type of fish that might be fun to keep in a community tank. Can they get along with cory cats, though?
Yes, kuhli loaches can co-exist with cory catfish nicely. So long as you have a big enough tank, these fish will be able to get along without having any problems.
The kuhli loaches like to burrow at the bottom of fish tanks. Cory catfish will also be at the bottom of the tank, but if there is enough room there won’t be any incidents between the fish.
This means that you just need to focus on having a big enough tank to allow the fish to thrive. It’ll be fun to have kuhli loaches in your tank if you can make it work.
Final Thoughts
There are so many options when looking for tank mates for cory catfish. They truly are some of the best community fish that you will find.
The options above will give you plenty to consider. You should be able to build a very beautiful community tank if you just use the best tank mates that you’ve learned about in this article.
There are also other fish that can be used as tank mates for cory catfish. Just be sure to look up compatibility before putting cory catfish in a community tank with fish that weren’t covered here.
Jeff has always enjoyed having pets, but as a child, he was drawn to his family’s fish tank. Being able to maintain a small ecosystem and observe the behaviors and interactions in the underwater world peaked his interest early on and has kept him hooked until this day. On Avid Aquarist, Jeff shares everything he’s learned about helping aquatic life survive and thrive in a home aquarium.