Product Details

Albino Panda Cory – Hoplisoma panda

The Albino Panda Cory is a pale captive-bred form of the popular Panda Cory, with a creamy white to pinkish body, red or pink eyes and the same peaceful bottom-foraging behaviour that makes this species so well loved. Correctly listed as Hoplisoma panda, but still commonly searched for as Corydoras panda, this small social catfish is best kept in mature aquariums with soft sand, clean water and a proper group of its own kind.

Key Identification:

Common Name: Albino Panda Cory
Other Names: Albino Panda Corydoras, Albino Panda Catfish, Panda Cory, Panda Corydoras, Corydoras panda
Scientific Name: Hoplisoma panda
Older / Trade Name: Corydoras panda
Fish Type: Cory-type Catfish / Callichthyid Catfish
Water Type: Freshwater

Natural Range & Habitat:

The standard Panda Cory, Hoplisoma panda, is native to the upper Amazon River basin of South America, especially Peru. Wild forms are associated with soft, clean waters, shaded stream margins, sandy substrates and areas with natural cover.

The Albino Panda Cory is a captive-bred aquarium strain rather than a wild colour form. In the aquarium, it should be kept in a mature setup with soft sand or very smooth fine substrate, plants, wood, shaded resting areas and open feeding patches.

Appearance & Adult Size:

Albino Panda Corys have the same compact body shape as standard Panda Corys, but with a pale cream, ivory, pinkish-white or light golden body. The eyes are usually pink to red, and the darker “panda” markings are reduced or absent compared with the standard form.

Adults usually reach around 4–5 cm, with females often fuller-bodied than males. Males are generally slimmer and slightly smaller, especially when viewed from above.

Aquarium Suitability:

This strain is well suited to peaceful community aquariums, planted displays and specialist cory-type groups. It does best in mature tanks with stable water quality, soft substrate, calm tank mates and food that reaches the bottom.

Albino Panda Corys are not suitable for sharp gravel, aggressive cichlid tanks, predator aquariums, immature aquariums, very warm discus-style setups or tanks with boisterous fish that prevent them from feeding.

Recommended Aquarium Size:

A practical minimum is 60–75 litres for a small group, with a tank length of at least 60 cm recommended. Larger aquariums of 90 litres or more are preferred for bigger groups and mixed communities.

Keep in a group of at least 5–6, with larger groups preferred where space allows. Cory-type catfish are social fish and become more confident, active and natural when kept with their own kind.

Water Conditions:

Temperature: 20–25°C
pH: 6.0–7.5
Hardness: Soft to moderately hard
Additional Notes: Panda Corys are best treated as cooler tropical catfish rather than high-temperature community fish. Keep water clean, stable and well oxygenated. Avoid high nitrate, dirty compacted substrate, sharp gravel and sudden water-chemistry changes. Soft sand is strongly recommended to protect the barbels and allow natural foraging.

Temperament & Tank Mates:

Aquarium Category: Community Fish

Albino Panda Corys are peaceful bottom-dwelling community fish. Suitable tank mates include small peaceful tetras, rasboras, pencilfish, small danios, Otocinclus, small peaceful plecs, dwarf cichlids with care and other calm community fish that enjoy similar temperatures.

Avoid large predators, aggressive cichlids, rough bottom dwellers, severe fin-nippers and very boisterous feeders that stop food reaching the substrate. They should not be kept singly or in pairs, as this can make them shy and reduce natural behaviour.

Feeding:

Albino Panda Corys are omnivorous bottom feeders and need a varied sinking diet. Offer quality sinking catfish pellets, soft granules, bottom-feeder tablets and small wafers as the staple diet. Supplement with frozen or live foods such as bloodworm, daphnia, cyclops, brineshrimp, tubifex, grindal worm and finely chopped earthworm.

They will search the substrate for food, but they must not be expected to survive on scraps. Make sure food reaches the bottom, especially when kept with fast midwater feeders.

Behaviour in the Aquarium:

This species spends much of its time foraging over sand, resting under plants or wood, and moving in small groups along the bottom. In a proper group, Albino Panda Corys become more confident and are often visible during the day.

Like other callichthyid catfish, they may occasionally dart to the surface to gulp air, which is normal behaviour. Breeding may occur in mature, well-conditioned groups, with eggs usually placed on glass, plants or décor after courtship.

Care Notes:

Add Albino Panda Corys only to a mature, fully cycled aquarium. Provide soft sand, shaded cover, clean water and a good-sized group. Keep the substrate clean without allowing waste to build up, as poor substrate hygiene can lead to barbel and skin problems.

Albino forms can appear more delicate under harsh lighting, so plant cover and shaded areas are useful. Because this fish is still widely known as Corydoras panda, using both the current and older names in search fields will help customers find it.

Recommended For:

Beginner to intermediate

Availability:

Common to occasional / Captive-bred colour form

Image Disclaimer:

All images are a visual representation of the fish you will receive, made to be as accurate as possible. Natural variation in size, pale body colour, eye colour, body tone, fin shape, sex and markings can occur between individual fish.