Peppered Corydoras
Corydoras paleatus
Also known as Peppered Cory, Blue Leopard Cory
Edited by Ivan F. · Reviewed
Beginner verdict
A classic, hardy little catfish with a dappled grey and black pattern, ideal for a small community. It does best in a group, sifting the bottom alongside small tetras and dwarf cichlids. It prefers slightly cooler water than many corys, so check your other fish match it.
Care at a glance
- Min tank size
- 18 US gal
- Footprint
- 24 x 15 in
- Temperature
- 72–79 °F
- pH
- 6–7
- Hardness
- 0–12 dGH
- Swim zone
- Bottom
- Min group
- 6 fish
- Lifespan
- Not well documented
Peppered Corydoras care mistakes to avoid
The mistakes beginners most often make with this species.
- Do not buy just one or two. Keep at least 6 fish so they feel secure.
- Use sand or smooth gravel. Sharp substrate can damage its sensitive barbels.
- Do not run the tank very warm, because it prefers cooler water than most corys.
- Feed it directly. Leftovers from the surface are not a proper diet.
- Check your tank before you buy. Our sourced minimum is 18 US gallons.
Peppered Corydoras tank mates and swim zone
Bottom
Spends most of its time in this part of the tank.
Paracheirodon innesi
Paracheirodon axelrodi
Hyphessobrycon herbertaxelrodi
Hemigrammus erythrozonus
Trigonostigma heteromorpha
Trigonostigma espei
Hyphessobrycon amandae
Peppered Corydoras is much larger than Ember Tetra and may frighten or even eat it.
Boraras brigittae
Peppered Corydoras is much larger than Chili Rasbora and may frighten or even eat it.
Danio margaritatus
Celestial Pearl Danio is small and shy, and is easily outcompeted for food by Peppered Corydoras.
Tanichthys albonubes
Their temperature ranges barely overlap, so you will have little room for error.
Mikrogeophagus ramirezi
Their temperature ranges do not overlap, so one of them would always be stressed.
Melanotaenia boesemani
Their temperature ranges do not overlap, so one of them would always be stressed.
Pseudomugil furcatus
One needs much harder water than the other can tolerate.
Peppered Corydoras feeding and care
How to feed
- Feed sinking pellets or wafers, ideally after lights dim.
- Add bloodworm, daphnia or other frozen foods for variety.
- Feed small portions you can see finished within a couple of minutes, because overfeeding fouls the water fast.
Telling males from females
Females grow considerably larger and are much more rounded, especially when ready to spawn.
Plants that suit it
Species facts
- Family
- Callichthyidae
- Native to
- Southern Brazil, Uruguay and Argentina
- Adult size
- 2.8 in (7 cm)
- Temperament
- Peaceful
- Social needs
- Schooling/Shoaling (6+)
- Diet
- Omnivore
- Water flow
- Gentle
- Substrate
- Smooth Gravel
- Live plants
- Mostly Safe
- Shrimp
- 100% Safe
- Fin nipping
- None
- Vulnerable to nippers
- No
- Breeding
- Moderate
Peppered Corydoras FAQ
What size tank do Peppered Corydoras need?
Our sourced minimum is 18 US gallons (70 liters), with a footprint of 61 x 38 cm. A bigger tank is always easier to keep stable.
How many Peppered Corydoras should I keep?
Keep at least 6 fish. Bigger groups usually look better and behave more confidently.
What can live with Peppered Corydoras?
Good matches on our list include Neon Tetra, Cardinal Tetra and Black Neon Tetra. Avoid Endler's Livebearer and Molly.
How long do Peppered Corydoras live?
Lifespan is not well documented for this species. Stable water and a good diet help any animal live longer.
Do peppered corys clean the tank?
Not really. They eat food on the bottom, but still produce waste and need their own meals, so regular water changes are still essential.
Where to buy Peppered Corydoras
Stores that list it under the same scientific name as this page. We earn nothing from these links. We have not bought from them, so check each store's own terms.
We have not found a store that sells Peppered Corydoras under its scientific name yet. We add stores as we confirm them.
Live animals and plants travel by courier. Check the store's live-arrival guarantee, and only buy once your tank has cycled (see how to cycle a fish tank).
Some US states restrict certain species. Check our US state aquarium rules table and your state's own rules before you buy.
Complete the tank
A forgiving setup with room for a small community.
Tank size for this species
At least 18 US gallons (70 L), 61 x 38 cm footprint
Filter
Hang-on-back or large sponge filter
Easy to maintain and strong enough for a community without blasting the fish.
We are still choosing products for this.
Heater
Adjustable heater, about 5 W per gallon: 100 W at 20 gallons, about 150 W at 29
Enough power to hold a stable temperature in most homes. Size up for a cold room.
We are still choosing products for this.
Water Conditioner
Dechlorinator such as Seachem Prime
Tap water contains chlorine or chloramine that harms fish.
Seachem Prime US
Fritz Complete Water Conditioner US
API Betta Water Conditioner US
sera aquatan Spain
Tetra AquaSafe Spain
Maker's page · Sold at Kiwoko · Sold at Tiendanimal · Sold at zooplus.es
Why we chose these (Best Water Conditioner for Betta Fish). Nobody here has used or tested them.
Test Kit
Liquid kit such as API Freshwater Master
Tracks ammonia, nitrite, nitrate and pH while the tank cycles.
API Freshwater Master Test Kit US
API General & Carbonate Hardness Test Kit US
Maker's page · Sold at The Shrimp Farm · Sold at Bulk Reef Supply
sera aqua-test box (Cl) Spain
JBL PROAQUATEST COMBISET Plus NH4 Spain
Why we chose these (Best Test Kit for a Freshwater Aquarium). Nobody here has used or tested them.
Cycle the tank before adding animals. See our guide on how to cycle a fish tank.