Can corydoras live with jack dempseys?
Verdict
No
No. Corydoras and jack dempseys should not share a tank. An adult jack dempsey eats fish that fit in its mouth, and at 2.5 inches corydoras do.
What to watch
- Deal breakerAn adult jack dempsey eats fish that fit in its mouth, and at 2.5 inches corydoras do.
- Deal breakerJack dempseys are aggressive and will bully peaceful corydoras.
What works
- Both are fine at 72–79°F.
- pH 6.5–7.5 suits both.
- They use different parts of the tank: corydoras the bottom, jack dempseys the mid.
Water side by side
Size to scale
Care at a glance
| Corydoras | Jack Dempsey | |
|---|---|---|
| Temperature | 72–79 °F | 72–86 °F |
| pH | 6–7.8 | 6.5–7.5 |
| Adult size | 2.5 in | 10.0 in |
| Minimum tank | 20 gal | 55 gal |
| Temperament | Peaceful | Aggressive |
| Swims at | Bottom | Middle |
| Group | Groups of 6+ | Alone or in pairs |
| Diet | Omnivore | Carnivore |
Better tank mates for corydoras
Better tank mates for jack dempseys
Questions
Can corydoras live with jack dempseys?
No. Corydoras and jack dempseys should not share a tank. An adult jack dempsey eats fish that fit in its mouth, and at 2.5 inches corydoras do.
What temperature suits both corydoras and jack dempseys?
72–79 °F. Corydoras need 72–79 °F, jack dempseys need 72–86 °F.
What size tank do corydoras and jack dempseys need together?
At least 55 gal, set by the jack dempsey. Add space for each extra fish.