AquaStocker

How Many Bronze Corys in a 20 Gallon Tank?

Too small for a healthy school — based on adult size, bioload, and real water volume.

Updated June 2026
By the AquaStocker team · How we source our data
Too small for a healthy school bronze cory
Bronze Cory
Photo via Wikimedia Commons

A 20-gallon tank is really too small for a proper group of bronze cory — they're a schooling fish that needs at least 6 to feel secure. Step up to a bigger tank, or pick a smaller schooler.

How we get that number

An adult bronze cory reaches about 2.8" and has a moderate bioload. Working from real water volume and waste output (not the old one-inch-per-gallon myth), a 20-gallon tank supports roughly too small for a healthy school of them. Because bronze cory are schooling fish, keep them in a group of at least 6 — never just one or two. They need 72–79°F water at pH 6–8.

Build your exact stocking with the calculator →   Full bronze cory care guide →

Gear for a 20-gallon tank

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FAQ

How many bronze cory can I keep in a 20 gallon tank?
Too small for a healthy school bronze cory, kept on their own with good filtration. Add fewer when combining with other species — use the stocking calculator to be sure.

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