How big does Peppered Cory get?

Peppered Cory reaches an adult standard length of 5–7 cm (excluding the caudal fin). Size the tank for that, not for the juvenile you bring home — the difference is often several times over, and upgrading later costs more than buying once.

What water does Peppered Cory need?

20–26 °C, pH 6–7.5, 2–15 dGH. At 6 °C wide it is one of the more forgiving ranges.

What is the smallest tank for Peppered Cory?

At least 60 L, and no shorter than 60 cm. That is the floor for long-term keeping, not for short-term survival: volume buys water stability and length buys swimming room, and neither substitutes for the other. It is a schooling fish: keep at least 6 together. Fewer than that and it hides, loses colour, and aggression has nowhere to spread.

What is Peppered Cory like to keep?

Temperament: peaceful. Difficulty: beginner. It occupies the bottom and is omnivore. With plants it is "Leaves plants alone".

Can Peppered Cory be kept with its most common tank mate?

The checker returns "Can be kept together". Peppered Cory and Betta is a well-established pairing. Individual fish still differ; the record says "usually fine", not "guaranteed".

G-01 / 33Freshwater

Peppered Cory白鼠

Corydoras paleatus · Callichthyidae

The most cold-tolerant common corydoras, sifting sand in groups at 20-26 °C.

Illustration to come

G-01 / 33 · Peppered Cory Corydoras paleatus

SpecificationsFish atlas

Name: 白鼠
Scientific name: Corydoras paleatus
Family: Callichthyidae
Origin: Southern Brazil, Argentina and Uruguay
Adult size: 5–7 cm
Temperament: Peaceful
Diet: Omnivore
Water level: Bottom
Level: Beginner
School size: ≥ 6
Min. tank: 60 L
Min. length: 60 cm
Plant safe: Leaves plants alone

Water requirementsFreshwater

Temp.20–26 °C

pH6–7.5

Hardness2–15 dGH

Units: temperature in °C, hardness in German degrees (dGH / dKH), marine salinity as specific gravity at 25 °C, volume in litres. These are the values recorded for the species and do not follow the site unit switcher.

Keeping notes

1Keep at least six; one or two corydoras hide and stop feeding.
2Use fine sand or rounded gravel; sharp substrate erodes the barbels and invites infection.
3Best at 20-26 °C, one of the few corydoras sharing a temperature band with white cloud minnows.
4Omnivorous on sinking pellets; floating food alone will leave them hungry.

Check a tank mate

Jump straight to the verdict for Peppered Cory against this one — no need to pick it again.

Recorded as compatibleBettaBetta splendens→

Frequently asked questions

How big does Peppered Cory get?: Peppered Cory reaches an adult standard length of 5–7 cm (excluding the caudal fin). Size the tank for that, not for the juvenile you bring home — the difference is often several times over, and upgrading later costs more than buying once.
What water does Peppered Cory need?: 20–26 °C, pH 6–7.5, 2–15 dGH. At 6 °C wide it is one of the more forgiving ranges.
What is the smallest tank for Peppered Cory?: At least 60 L, and no shorter than 60 cm. That is the floor for long-term keeping, not for short-term survival: volume buys water stability and length buys swimming room, and neither substitutes for the other. It is a schooling fish: keep at least 6 together. Fewer than that and it hides, loses colour, and aggression has nowhere to spread.
What is Peppered Cory like to keep?: Temperament: peaceful. Difficulty: beginner. It occupies the bottom and is omnivore. With plants it is "Leaves plants alone".
Can Peppered Cory be kept with its most common tank mate?: The checker returns "Can be kept together". Peppered Cory and Betta is a well-established pairing. Individual fish still differ; the record says "usually fine", not "guaranteed".