Corydoras paleatus
From The Aquarium Wiki
(Redirected from Pepered Cory)
| Peppered Cory | |
| |
| Peppered Cory | |
| Species | Corydoras paleatus |
| Difficulty | Moderate |
| Min. Tank Size | 56.781 liters 56,781.177 mL 15 US Gallons (56.8L) |
| Size | 7.62 cm
2-3 " (5.1-7.6cm) |
| pH | 6.0 - 7.5 |
| Temp. | 293.15 K 68 °F 527.67 °R 298.15 K |
| Water Hardness |
5-10 |
| Stocking Ratio | 1:2 M:F |
| Availability | Common |
| Diet | |
| Life Span |
5-10 years |
Contents |
[edit] Alternative names
- Pepper Cory, Peppered Cory, Salt and Pepper Cory
[edit] Other Scientific Names
- Callichthys paleatus, Corydoras maculatus, Corydoras marmoratus, Corydoras microcephalus, Silurus 7-radiatus, Silurus quadricostatus
[edit] Sexing
- Can only be sexed when they are adults. Female has bigger underbelly, slightly longer body. Male has longer dorsal fin. Males are normally about 1 cm shorter than females.
[edit] Breeding
- One of the first types of cories to be spawned in aquaria.
- One of the easiest cories to spawn in captivity.
- It is recommended to drop the temperature 5-6° and do a 25% water change with cooler water to induce spawning (this simulates rain fall).
- Feeding quality foods like brine shrimp or bloodworms helps to condition the fish for spawning.
- Scrape eggs off the glass and place them in a small tank with an air stone.
- Eggs normally hatch between 5 and 8 days time.
- Feed the fry freshly hatched brine shrimp or commercial powder food (Cyclop-eeze, etc.). (they grow a lot faster on live food).
- The male will try to force his body in front of the female whilst she is on the substrate. He positions himself midway across her head in a classic 'T' shape with his anal opening against her mouth.
- The male will shake vigorously and ejaculate his milt into her mouth. The female will swallow this which she quickly passes through internally to her anal opening and so fertilises her eggs which she is holding in her enlarged pair of Pelvic fins. The female then lays the eggs on virtually any surface, including the tank walls.
[edit] Tank compatibility
- Bottom feeder. Very peaceful. Mixes with most fish. Do not mix with aggressive cichlids.
[edit] Diet
- There used to be a common misconception that catfish are "garbage collectors" and that they eat the leftovers that other fish don't want. A leading cause of disease and stress is perhaps inappropriate feeding. Here are a few examples of food for corydoras:
- TetraPrima Granules [once a day]
- Nutrifin Basix Sinking Tablets [once a day]
- Nutrifin Max Shrimp Pellets [twice a week]
- Nutrifin Max Spirulina Algae Tablets [twice a week]
- King British Catfish pellets food [once a day]
[edit] Feeding regime
- Feed twice a day.
- Corydoras find their food by smell and then by taste.
[edit] Environment Specifics
- Requires a sand or small gravel substrate and prefers a planted tank. Keeping a cory on sharp or large gravel can lead to damage to their barbels, which when infected will make it hard for the cory to find food.
- Corys are sensitive to salt, as with other scaleless fish, adding salt to the tank will cause them harm.
[edit] Behaviour
- The Corydora group of fish frequently gulps air. This is normal and is not a cause for concern. If too little room is available between the water surface and the hood (<2") the fish may hit the hood. They hold the air in their stomach and the thin lining dissipates the oxygen.
- This fish likes the company of its own kind. It is recommended to keep least 2 or more of the same species. The more you have, the more secure they are and therefore the more you will see them.
- Known to 'blink' its eyes to the amazement of onlookers. The Cory has the ability to tilt its eye down to examine the nearby substrate.
[edit] Identification
- These Corydoras are mottled in various shades of grey and brown. An albino variation has been seen but is uncommon.
[edit] Special notes
- These fish are incredibly docile, very peaceful and are a wonderfully easy fish to own. However it is a remarkably little known fact that Corydoras have a very sharp barb just under each eye, one in the adipose and a large one in the front of their dorsal fin.
- The fish uses these barbs to protect itself from being swallowed by a larger fish. Therefore when using a net to catch these fish, be prepared for the Cory to become caught up in the mesh of the net. Also, ensure you don't try to catch this fish in your hand!
- *What is also little known is that certain species of Corydoras have a poison gland in their barbs which causes fish which try to eat them to get stung. This causes the attacking fish to suffer a lot of pain rather like a jellyfish sting. Needless to say this causes an annoying, but harmless, irritant to aquarists skin if they get stung also.
- The Cory has a sensitive sense of smell and its barbels allow it to taste food hidden in the substrate.
- These fish are armoured not scaled catfish. They have two rows of overlapping bony plates running down each side and large plates covering their head. Indeed, the name Corydoras is derived from the Greek kory (helmet) and doras (skin).
[edit] Pictures
 Peppered Cory |
 Peppered Cory |
