Peppered corydoras, salt and pepper catfish (Corydoras paleatus) care guide

Group

Freshwater fish

Other names

Peppered corydoras, Pepper cory, Peppered catfish, Mottled corydoras, Blue leopard corydoras, Peppered Argentina cory

Family

Callichthyidae (armoured catfishes)

Origin

Southern South America: the lower Paraná basin in Paraguay, Argentina and Brazil, plus coastal rivers of southern Brazil and Uruguay.

Water

freshwater

Maximum size

5.9 cm

Temperature

15–25°C

pH

6–7.5

Hardness

Soft to medium, up to 12 dGH

Minimum tank

70 litres

Care level

beginner

Temperament

peaceful

Care

The peppered cory is one of the two classic aquarium Corydoras (the other being the bronze cory). It is a social fish that is far more confident and active in a group, so keep at least 6, ideally more, and stick to one species rather than a mix of singles. Since the 2024 revision of the armoured catfishes it is called Hoplisoma paleatum, but it is still almost always sold as "Corydoras paleatus". A tank with a base of about 60 × 38 cm (around 70 litres) suits a small group. Like all corys it spends its life rooting through the substrate with its sensitive barbels, so use soft sand, or at the very least smooth, rounded fine gravel; sharp gravel and dirty substrate wear the barbels down and let infections in. Add some driftwood, plants and shady spots, and keep a stretch of open sand at the front for foraging. This is a subtropical fish from the south of the continent and does not want to be kept hot. PlanetCatfish gives 15–25 °C and pH 6.0–7.5, which we use here; Seriously Fish suggests a slightly warmer 22–26 °C with a pH of about 6–7 and soft to medium water, and FishBase and Wikipedia also quote cool wild temperatures, so it is a good choice for an unheated room-temperature tank, and PlanetCatfish specifically warns against keeping it with discus because of the heat. Wild-caught fish in particular want cooler, bright water. Peppered corys gulp air at the surface now and then, which is normal. Corys are sensitive to poor water and especially to rising nitrate and to dirty substrate, so do regular partial water changes and keep the sand clean. They react badly to salt and to many medications (particularly copper-based treatments), so use reduced doses or move them out when treating a tank. Handle them carefully: the stiff spines in the fins can catch in nets and can give a painful jab. Its body is covered in dark, peppery blotches, which gives it its name. Females grow noticeably larger and plumper than males, with rounded pelvic fins and shorter dorsal and pectoral spines; males have longer, more pointed fins. PlanetCatfish gives a maximum of 5.9 cm standard length (Seriously Fish says about 7 cm); we use the PlanetCatfish figure. An albino form is also sold (it shows a small pink patch on the back in front of the dorsal fin); inbred albino strains may grow more slowly and be less fertile. Most fish on sale are captive bred and very hardy; wild fish are sometimes imported and tend to be more strongly marked. The species was first collected by Charles Darwin near Buenos Aires during the voyage of the Beagle. FishBase lists it as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List; PlanetCatfish shows it as not evaluated. Sources: PlanetCatfish (planetcatfish.com/common/species.php?speciesid=271); FishBase (fishbase.se/summary/Corydoras-paleatus.html); Seriously Fish (seriouslyfish.com/species/hoplisoma-paleatum/); Wikipedia (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hoplisomapaleatum). Checked October 2026.

Diet

An opportunistic omnivore that grubs through the bottom for worms, small crustaceans, plant matter and other small creatures. In the aquarium give a good sinking pellet, tablet or flake as the staple and add live and frozen foods such as bloodworm, brine shrimp, Daphnia, Tubifex, white worm and blackworm several times a week. Do not leave it to live on leftovers.

Breeding

One of the easiest Corydoras to spawn, and often breeds in a community tank without help. PlanetCatfish notes that even a small tank of about 20 litres will do for a breeding trio. Use about two males to each female and condition the group well on live and frozen foods. A large, partial water change with slightly cooler water, plus extra aeration, often sets them off, mimicking the rainy season. Spawning follows the usual cory pattern: a male clasps the female's barbels in the classic "T-position", she holds a few eggs in a pouch formed by her pelvic fins, then sticks them on the glass, plants or décor before repeating; a spawning can produce roughly 50–150 eggs. The adults eat eggs, so either move the eggs to a separate container (gently rolling them off the glass with a finger) or remove the adults. Eggs hatch in about 3–4 days. Once the yolk sac is used up, start the fry on microworm and newly hatched brine shrimp, keep the water very clean, and give them a bare or sand-bottomed tank. Young fish mature in roughly 8–12 months.

Compatibility and tank mates

Peaceful and ideal for a community tank, as long as tankmates are not large or aggressive enough to bully or eat it. Good companions include small to medium tetras, rasboras, danios, peaceful barbs, livebearers and dwarf cichlids, as well as other peaceful catfish. Avoid fin-nippers that pester bottom-dwellers and large cichlids that dig and bully.

Last updated 5 October 2026. Community-edited care guide on Aquatic-Auctions.