Peppered cory
Corydoras paleatus
One of the hardiest corys: a mottled catfish that sifts sand in a group of six and prefers slightly cooler water.
Key facts
- Body length
- 2.8 in without fins
- Minimum tank
- 22 gallons
- Group
- 6+
- Temperament
- Peaceful
- Care level
- 1 / 5
- Lifespan
- Not well documented
- Diet
- Sinking tablets, pellets, frozen bloodworm
- Origin
- Southern Brazil, Uruguay, Paraguay and Argentina
- Hardier than46%
- Bigger than42%
- Calmer than68%
Water: their range vs yours
Peppered cory tank mates
- Neon tetraGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Harlequin rasboraGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Fancy guppyGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Panda corydorasGets along in shared water.Good mates
- OtocinclusGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Cherry shrimpGets along in shared water.Good mates
- BettaGets along in shared water.Good mates
- AngelfishGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Tiger barbGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Amano shrimpGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Black neon tetraGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Black widow tetraGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Chinese algae eaterChinese algae eater attacks fish with a similar shape or colour: Peppered cory.Risky
- Clown loachClown loach attacks fish with a similar shape or colour: Peppered cory.Risky
- Convict cichlidConvict cichlid can eat young or small Peppered cory; adults are big enough to be safe.Risky
- DemasoniDemasoni attacks fish with a similar shape or colour: Peppered cory.Risky
- Golden mbunaGolden mbuna attacks fish with a similar shape or colour: Peppered cory.Risky
- Jewel cichlidJewel cichlid can eat young or small Peppered cory; adults are big enough to be safe.Risky
- Blue dolphin cichlidBlue dolphin cichlid can eat Peppered cory: prey body depth 1.5 cm ≤ mouth 6.3 cm.Avoid
- Iridescent sharkIridescent shark can eat Peppered cory: prey body depth 1.5 cm ≤ mouth 32.5 cm.Avoid
- OscarOscar can eat Peppered cory: prey body depth 1.5 cm ≤ mouth 12.3 cm.Avoid
- SeverumSeverum can eat Peppered cory: prey body depth 1.5 cm ≤ mouth 5.0 cm.Avoid
- African clawed frogAfrican clawed frog should only be kept in a single-species tank.Avoid
- Marbled crayfishMarbled crayfish should only be kept in a single-species tank.Avoid
How we check
The numbers the tank model uses for peppered corys: water as ideal and tolerated ranges, bioload from adult mass, space, flow and how they act on other species.
- Standard length
- 7 cm (SL)
- Adult mass
- 5.14 g
- Bioload at 25 °C
- 3.07 BU
- Min. water
- 70 L net
- Min. footprint
- 61 × 38 cm per group
- Group
- 6+ (best 8)
- Swims in
- bottom
- Flow
- low
- Body / fins
- fusiform, normal fins
- Diet type
- omnivore
- Fin nipper
- none
- Sensitive to
- copper
Care notes
Peppered corys come from rivers and still waters of southern Brazil, Uruguay, Paraguay and Argentina. They spend the day nosing through the substrate in a loose group, and an albino form is common in stores.
Give them fine sand in a 20 gallon tank or larger and keep it clean: sharp or dirty gravel wears down their barbels. They prefer 72–79°F, so skip them in very warm setups, and feed sinking tablets rather than relying on leftovers.
Questions
What size tank does a peppered cory need?
At least 22 gallons (70 litres of water after decor). Adults reach about 2.8 inches without fins.
How many peppered corys should be kept together?
Keep at least 6, ideally 8 or more: fewer feel exposed and hide or turn nippy.
What water do peppered corys need?
72–79 °F, pH 6–7 and 0–12 dGH. Peppered corys come from Southern Brazil, Uruguay, Paraguay and Argentina.
How long do peppered corys live?
Not well documented with good care.
What fish can live with peppered corys?
Good tank mates include Neon tetra, Harlequin rasbora, Fancy guppy, Panda corydoras and Otocinclus. Each is checked both ways for size, fin nipping, temperament, territory and shared water.