Peppered Corydoras

Corydoras paleatus

Peppered corydoras are small armored catfish from southern South America, including cooler streams and floodplain waters in parts of Argentina, Uruguay, and Brazil. Corydoras paleatus has a mottled gray, black, and silver pattern that gives the fish its peppered name, along with the whisker-like barbels and plated body typical of cory catfish. It is one of the classic aquarium Corydoras species and is often available in captive-bred, albino, or long-fin forms.

Good care starts with a group, since peppered corydoras are social bottom foragers that become more active and secure with their own kind. Fine sand or smooth substrate protects their barbels as they search for sinking foods, and clean, oxygenated water matters more than using them as cleanup fish. They tolerate slightly cooler conditions than many tropical community species. Breeding can be triggered by conditioning and cooler water changes, after which adhesive eggs are placed on glass, plants, or spawning mops.