Description
Peppered Cory (Corydoras paleatus)
Overview
Corydoras paleatus, commonly known as the Peppered Cory or Salt and Pepper Cory, is a small, peaceful freshwater catfish from the Callichthyidae family, native to slow-moving rivers and streams in southeastern South America, including Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay, and Paraguay. Named for its mottled pattern of dark spots and patches on a greyish-green to bronze body, it grows to 5–7 cm. This hardy, bottom-dwelling fish is one of the most popular Corydoras species in the aquarium trade due to its adaptability, attractive appearance, and scavenging Behaviour. Ideal for beginners and experienced aquarists, it thrives in community tanks with proper care.
Care Requirements
Tank Size
- Minimum: 40 liters) for a school of 6–8 fish; 80–120 liters preferred for larger groups (10–15) to support foraging and social Behaviour.
- Longer tanks with a larger footprint maximize bottom-dwelling space.
Water Parameters
- Temperature: 20°C–25°C, ideally 22°C–24°C. Tolerant of slightly cooler temperatures than other Corydoras.
- pH: 6.0–7.5, slightly acidic to neutral preferred.
- Hardness: Soft to moderately hard (2–15 dH).
- Ammonia/Nitrite: 0 ppm;
- Nitrate: Keep below 40 mg/L.
- Use a water conditioner to remove chlorine and chloramine.
Tank Setup
- Substrate: Fine, smooth sand or rounded gravel to protect delicate barbels; avoid sharp or coarse substrates to prevent injury or barbel erosion.
- Plants: Live plants like Java fern, Anubias, Cryptocoryne, or floating plants (e.g., water sprite) for cover and resting spots, mimicking their leaf-littered river habitats.
- Decor: Driftwood, smooth rocks, or caves provide hiding spots and replicate natural riverbeds. Indian almond leaves add tannins and encourage foraging.
- Filtration: Gentle to moderate flow filter (e.g., sponge or hang-on-back) for clean, oxygenated water. Ensure surface access for air gulping via their labyrinth organ.
- Lighting: Low to moderate to emulate shaded river environments; use a 10–12 hour day/night cycle.
Maintenance
- Water Changes: 20%–30% weekly for 40 – 80 litre tanks; 25%–40% biweekly for larger tanks to maintain water quality.
- Testing: Monitor ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, pH, and temperature weekly with a test kit.
- Cleaning: Gently vacuum substrate during water changes to remove debris without disrupting bacteria. Clean filter media in tank water monthly.
- Feeding Control: Remove uneaten food within 5 minutes to prevent fouling, as Cories scavenge but don’t eliminate all waste.
- Plant/Decor Care: Trim plants and clean decor in tank water to manage algae and maintain aesthetics.
Diet
- Natural Diet: Omnivorous, scavenging small invertebrates, insect larvae, plant matter, and detritus in the wild.
- Aquarium Diet:
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- Staple Foods: Sinking pellets or wafers for bottom-dwellers (e.g., shrimp pellets, algae wafers).
- Live/Frozen Foods: Bloodworms, brine shrimp, Daphnia, or Tubifex as treats (1–2 times weekly) to enhance health and activity.
- Vegetable Matter: Blanched zucchini, cucumber, or spirulina-based foods for balance.
- Feeding Frequency: Small portions 1–2 times daily, ideally at dusk or dawn when active. Ensure food reaches the substrate.
- Variety: Rotate foods to prevent nutritional deficiencies and encourage foraging Behaviour.
Behaviour and Compatibility
Behaviour
- Schooling: Highly social, requiring groups of 6–10+ to thrive. Smaller groups cause stress, shyness, or reduced activity. Large schools enhance their playful “dancing” Behaviour.
- Activity: Bottom-dwellers that sift substrate for food, occasionally darting to the surface for air. Most active at dusk/dawn, resting during the day on plants or decor.
- Temperament: Extremely peaceful, ideal for community tanks. No aggression, even during feeding.
Compatibility
- Ideal Tankmates: Small, peaceful fish like tetras (e.g., Neon Tetra, Ember Tetra), rasboras, guppies, small barbs, or other Corydoras species (e.g., C. aeneus, C. panda).
- Avoid: Aggressive or large fish (e.g., cichlids, large barbs) that may intimidate or prey on them. Avoid fin-nippers targeting their slow movements.
- Mixing Cory Species: Can school with other Corydoras species of similar size and requirements, creating mixed schools.
- Sexual Dimorphism: Females are larger, rounder, and wider when viewed from above; males are smaller, slimmer, with more pointed dorsal and pectoral fins.
Breeding Behaviour
Breeding Behaviour: Egg-layers depositing adhesive eggs on tank surfaces (glass, plants, decor). Males court females in a “T-position” mating ritual.
Picture for illustrative purposes only. Either come in store to view available stock or request pictures to be sent to you.
Please Note: Due to variations within species resulting from age, region, sex, etc., the actual livestock may not look identical to the image. Approximate size range may also vary between individual specimens.
