Can glass catfish be kept with corydoras in a 30-gallon tank?

A 30-gallon tank is the minimum for this combination. You need 6 bronze corydoras and 6 glass catfish, which takes up significant bioload. A 55-gallon would be more comfortable for both species long-term.

Will my glass catfish stop being transparent with corydoras in the tank?

Transparency depends on water quality and stress levels, not tankmates. Clean water, proper school sizes, and peaceful companions keep glass catfish transparent. Corydoras are quiet bottom dwellers that do not stress glass catfish.

What do glass catfish eat if corydoras take all the sinking food?

Glass catfish are mid-water feeders that prefer small floating or slow-sinking foods like micro pellets. Feed separately near the middle of the tank where glass catfish swim, not just at the bottom where corydoras feed.

Can Bronze Corydoras Live With Glass Catfish?

By Alex WalshLast reviewed Apr 18, 2026

Yes

Yes, bronze corydoras and glass catfish share a 30-gallon tank well, with cories on the bottom and glass catfish schooling in the middle water column.

Why

Bronze corydoras are bottom-dwelling schooling fish that stay on the substrate, while glass catfish are mid-water swimmers that school together in the open water.
Glass catfish reach 3-4 inches and are completely transparent peaceful schooling fish, not predators that would bother corydoras.
Both species need schools of at least 6 individuals to feel secure and display natural behavior.
Temperature overlap of 72-79 degrees Fahrenheit and pH range of 6.0-7.5 suits both species equally.
Glass catfish prefer subdued lighting and gentle currents, which aligns with the calm bottom environment that corydoras prefer.

Minimum shared tank

30 gallons

Shared temperature range

72-79°F

What could go wrong

Glass catfish are sensitive to water quality fluctuations, and if nitrates climb above 20 ppm, both species may suffer but the glass catfish will show stress first by losing transparency.

Gear for a shared tank

Sized for the 30 gallon minimum this pairing needs. Affiliate links — we earn a small commission if you buy through them.

AquaClear 70 Power Filter

Oversized filtration is what lets you stock two species together without water quality crashing. Rated for a tank slightly larger than the 30 gallon minimum.

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Eheim Jager 200W Thermostat Heater

Holds a steady temperature inside the 72-79°F window both species need.

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API Freshwater Master Test Kit

Keep ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate in check. Two-species tanks have more bioload and less margin for error than single-species setups.

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