Peppered Cory – Corydoras paleatus

Scientific Name: Corydoras paleatus
Common Names: Peppered Cory, Peppered Corydoras, Paleatus Cory

The Peppered Cory is a classic freshwater catfish known for its mottled pattern of dark gray, black, and greenish markings across a lighter body. Peaceful, hardy, and highly social, this species is an excellent choice for community aquariums and aquarists looking for an active bottom-dwelling fish.

Native to South America, including Argentina, Brazil, and Uruguay, Peppered Corys naturally inhabit freshwater environments and spend much of their time exploring and foraging along the bottom.

Care Level: Easy
Temperament: Peaceful
Adult Size: Approximately 2.5–3 inches
Minimum Tank Size: 20 gallons recommended
Temperature: Approximately 68–75°F
pH: Approximately 6.0–8.0
Diet: Omnivore
Recommended Group Size: 6 or more

Recommended Setup: Provide a mature, well-filtered aquarium with plenty of usable bottom area. Fine sand or smooth gravel is preferred for comfortable natural foraging, along with plants, driftwood, rocks, shaded areas, and open substrate.

Peppered Corys are social fish and should be maintained with others of their kind. We recommend keeping at least 6 to encourage confident and natural social behavior. FishBase recommends groups of at least five, while LiveAquaria recommends six or more.

Feed a varied diet consisting of quality sinking pellets or wafers supplemented with frozen or live foods such as bloodworms, brine shrimp, worms, and other appropriately sized foods. Their natural diet includes worms, crustaceans, insects, and plant material.

Peppered Corys should not be treated solely as aquarium cleanup fish. Although they readily forage along the substrate, they require intentional feeding and a nutritionally complete diet.

Tankmates: Excellent for peaceful community aquariums alongside compatible tetras, rasboras, danios, peaceful livebearers, other Corys, and similarly sized non-aggressive species.

Please Note: Natural coloration, markings, size, and sex may vary between individual fish. The fish you receive may differ slightly from the individual pictured.

Available Quantities: Individual fish and discounted group options are available. For their long-term social well-being, we recommend keeping Peppered Corys in a group of at least 6.

All livestock from Felipe's Fish is carefully selected and prepared for safe transport. Please review our shipping and Live Arrival Guarantee policies before ordering.