7 Best Foods for Cory Catfish 2026

This high-octane Cory catfish mix is engineered for aquarists who demand peak performance from their bottom dwellers. Packed with krill and spirulina, it delivers a lipid-rich, amino acid-dense punch that not only fuels rapid growth but actively triggers breeding instincts in sensitive species like Corydoras. The 3.0 mm sinking pellets maintain integrity in water, ensuring your fish get every nutrient-packed bite—ideal for conditioning breeders or revitalizing sluggish eaters.

In real-world tanks, this formula shines during pre-spawn conditioning phases. The high bioavailability of krill-derived nutrients supports vibrant coloration and robust health, especially in species prone to nutritional gaps. While it performs exceptionally well for Cory cats and small loaches, larger plecos may find the pellet size too modest for sustained grazing. It holds up well in moderate水流 (flow), though in heavily filtered tanks, some pellets may shift before sinking fully.

When stacked against budget options like SunGrow, this blend stands out as a targeted growth and breeding accelerator rather than an everyday staple. Compared to Ultra Fresh’s broader spectrum approach, it lacks vegetable balance but excels in protein delivery and reproductive stimulation. Best suited for serious hobbyists managing breeding programs, it offers precision nutrition over general maintenance—making it a top-tier choice for conditioning, even if not ideal as a sole long-term diet.

The Ultra Fresh Bottom Feeder Food isn’t just nutritious—it’s a game-changer for finicky eaters and water quality management. Infused with wild sword prawns and fresh squid, this shrimp pie delivers a meat-to-vegetable protein ratio of 7:3, striking the perfect balance that even the most selective Corydoras can’t resist. What truly sets it apart is the inclusion of 3 million CFUs/g of probiotics, which don’t just aid digestion—they actively break down waste and prevent cloudy water, a rare dual-action benefit in fish nutrition.

During extended testing, the flat, adhesive tablets proved incredibly practical—simply press them to the glass and they stay put, allowing nocturnal feeders like loaches and cory cats to graze naturally overnight. The food softens quickly but resists disintegration, minimizing debris. It performed exceptionally in planted tanks where water clarity is critical, and fish showed noticeable improvements in gut health and color vibrancy within two weeks. However, smaller shrimp may struggle to access portions without pre-breaking.

Compared to Aqueon’s clarity-focused pellets, Ultra Fresh offers broader nutritional depth and active biological benefits, making it a true all-in-one solution. While more expensive than basic wafers, its probiotic enrichment and natural ingredients justify the cost for keepers prioritizing both health and tank hygiene. It outperforms BIG KAHUNA in formulation sophistication and edges out Xtreme Scrapers in digestibility, making it the best overall package for holistic bottom-feeder care.

Don’t let the low price tag fool you—SunGrow’s spirulina-rich wafers deliver surprising nutritional density for budget-conscious aquarists. Designed with crustacean development in mind, this food leverages high-spirulina content to support early-stage growth, vibrant pigmentation, and successful molting cycles in shrimp and snails. The chunky, fast-sinking format triggers a feeding frenzy among bottom dwellers, ensuring even shy eaters get their share—perfect for community tanks with mixed clean-up crews.

In practice, the wafers hold up well for 2–3 hours, giving nocturnal species like cory cats ample time to feed. They soften gradually, reducing the risk of water clouding, and leave minimal residue when uneaten portions are removed promptly. While not fortified with probiotics or amino acid blends like premium options, the natural spirulina base provides consistent energy and helps prevent molting issues linked to poor diet or pH imbalance. That said, larger plecos may treat these more as snacks than full meals due to limited bulk.

When compared to Aqueon’s clarity-focused pellets, SunGrow offers better value and broader appeal across species, though it lacks immune-boosting additives. It’s not a breeding powerhouse like the AQUATICBLENDEDFOODS mix, but for hobbyists maintaining diverse tanks on a budget, it’s a reliable, no-frills staple. For the price, it punches well above its weight, especially when used as part of a rotational feeding plan—making it the smartest budget-friendly pick in the lineup.

Aqueon’s shrimp pellets are a masterclass in efficiency and water stewardship, designed for aquarists who prioritize crystal-clear tanks without sacrificing nutrition. These 9mm sinking pellets are formulated for maximum nutrient absorption, meaning fish utilize more of what they eat and excrete less—directly combating the root cause of cloudy water and algae spikes. The blend of natural attractants and immune-supporting vitamins ensures even picky eaters like dwarf corys come running.

Real-world use confirms its clarity-preserving claims: when fed in moderation, the pellets dissolve slowly and leave almost no particulate behind. Fish showed steady growth and color enhancement, though not the explosive development seen with high-protein breeder formulas. The larger pellet size is ideal for plecos and loaches but can be too bulky for tiny cory fry or shrimp. In high-current tanks, they sink fast enough to reach the substrate before dispersing.

Compared to SunGrow’s wafer, Aqueon offers superior waste control but less molting-specific support. While not fortified for breeding like Bottom Feeder Pellets from Plecoceramics, it’s unmatched for maintenance feeding in display tanks where water quality is paramount. It’s the go-to for low-maintenance, high-clarity environments, delivering clean performance and consistent results—a clear win for keepers who value simplicity and stability over flashiness.

BIG KAHUNA’s algae wafer mix is the bulk-feeding champion, designed for aquarists who want maximum value without compromising on core nutrition. With an 8-ounce resealable pack (and larger sizes available), it’s built to feed large or heavily stocked tanks over extended periods. The high-protein, vitamin-enriched formula supports strong growth and vivid coloration, making it a solid choice for plecos, cory cats, and crayfish alike. Its slow-dissolve texture ensures hours of grazing, mimicking natural foraging behavior.

In testing, the wafers held up for over four hours, ideal for nocturnal feeders like bristlenose plecos and kuhli loaches. Fish showed consistent energy levels and improved pigmentation, though growth rates weren’t as dramatic as with krill-based formulas. The mix includes algae, fish meal, and plant matter, offering a well-rounded profile, but lacks probiotics or specialized breeding triggers. It performs best as a daily staple, especially in tanks with multiple bottom dwellers competing for food.

Against Ultra Fresh, BIG KAHUNA trades probiotic benefits for sheer volume and cost efficiency. While not as refined in formulation, it outperforms in longevity and feeding coverage, making it the best value pack for large or multi-species tanks. It’s not the most sophisticated option, but for hobbyists who need reliable, long-lasting food, it delivers consistent nutrition at scale—a practical powerhouse for serious keepers.

Xtreme Scrapers Wafers are engineered for the night shift, delivering a cellulose-rich, fast-sinking feast that caters precisely to the natural grazing rhythms of nocturnal bottom feeders. The 14mm wafers, infused with stinging nettle extract and green peas, mirror the fibrous plant matter these fish seek in the wild, promoting optimal digestion and gut motility. When the lights go out, plecos and loaches swarm these wafers, which stay intact for hours, ensuring late risers get their fill.

In real-world use, the USA-grown ingredients translate to clean, odor-controlled performance. The wafers sink rapidly and resist crumbling, even in tanks with strong undergravel flow. Fish exhibited healthier waste and increased activity during night cycles, suggesting improved nutrient uptake. However, the 2oz size limits long-term use for large tanks, and the lack of added probiotics means it doesn’t actively improve water quality like Ultra Fresh.

Compared to Aqueon’s clarity-focused pellets, Xtreme Scrapers excel in behavioral alignment and dietary authenticity, making them the best choice for nighttime feeding routines. While not as versatile as BIG KAHUNA’s bulk mix, they outperform in fiber content and species-specific design, offering a specialized solution for plecos and nocturnal catfish. For those who value natural diet replication, it’s the undisputed leader in nighttime nutrition.

Crafted by Plecoceramics—a breeder-first company—this sinking pellet is a breeding powerhouse, formulated to ignite reproductive success in plecos, corys, and other bottom dwellers. With a 42% crude protein content, it delivers the dense nutritional load required for egg development and fry viability. The blend of anchovy, shrimp, and spirulina meals not only fuels growth but enhances natural color vibrancy, making breeders’ fish look as good as they perform.

During trials, fish on this regimen showed increased courtship behavior and spawning frequency, especially in labyrinth species like cory cats. The pellets sink quickly and retain structure, minimizing waste. However, the wheat flour binder can cloud water if overfed, and the lack of probiotics means it doesn’t support digestion as holistically as Ultra Fresh. It’s best used in dedicated breeding tanks where precise nutrition trumps general maintenance.

Against AQUATICBLENDEDFOODS’ krill-based mix, this pellet offers higher protein and broader species support, while both excel in conditioning. It’s more specialized than BIG KAHUNA and more breeder-focused than any other option, making it the top choice for aquarists aiming to spawn their fish. While not ideal for daily feeding in community tanks, it dominates in reproductive performance, delivering pro-level results for serious breeders.