Peppered Corydoras

Corydoras paleatus

Also known as: Peppered cory, Paleatus cory, Blue leopard cory

Water Parameters

• Temperature: 18–24°C
• pH: 6–7.5
• Hardness (GH): 36–214 ppm (2–12 dGH)

Values above are general hardness (GH). For carbonate hardness (KH), the buffer that keeps pH stable, see the water parameters guide.

Care Summary

The other great beginner corydoras alongside the bronze, the peppered cory is a hardy, peaceful, attractively mottled catfish that has been a hobby staple for over a century, sold in plain and long-finned forms and as an albino. Its peppered grey-green patterning gives it the name, and its tolerance of cool water (it comes from subtropical South America) makes it one of the few cories genuinely suited to unheated tanks in cooler Australian climates. In every other respect it is the classic cory: sociable, endlessly busy along the substrate, undone only by sharp gravel and by being kept in too small a group. It is also one of the easiest egg-laying fish to breed, often spawning in the community tank after a cool water change, which makes it a rewarding first project for keepers wanting to raise fry. Hardy, long-lived, and inexpensive, it is a reliable cornerstone of a peaceful community.

Tankmates

A peaceful schooling catfish that must be kept in a group of at least six on soft sand or smooth rounded gravel to protect its barbels, like all corydoras. Along with the bronze cory it is the hardiest and most widely-kept of the genus, and like the bronze it tolerates cooler water than most cories, which makes it an excellent bottom-dweller for unheated or lightly-heated tanks and for cool-water community fish such as white cloud mountain minnows, danios, and rosy barbs. Peaceful and too small to threaten any tankmate, it is safe with the smallest community fish, with a betta, and with adult shrimp (it may take eggs and the tiniest shrimplets). Avoid only large or aggressive tankmates. One of the easiest community fish to breed.

Compatible with

• White Cloud Mountain Minnow
• Zebra Danio
• Harlequin Rasbora
• Rosy Barb
• Cherry Shrimp
• Bristlenose Pleco
• Betta

Avoid keeping with

• Large Cichlids
• Oscar
• Convict Cichlid
• Fin Nippers
• Aggressive Tankmates

Common Problems

• damaged barbels from sharp substrate
• stress in groups smaller than 6
• ich
• being kept too warm long-term when it prefers cooler water

Sources: seriouslyfish.com, fishbase.org · Last updated: 2026-06-20