Photo: h080 · CC BY-SA 2.0
Freshwater · Beginner · 20+ gal
Corydoras paleatus
By Fishy Dave
Peppered corydoras are social, sandy-bottom catfish. Keep a group of six or more in a 20-gallon tank with sand, not gravel that can nick their barbels.
| Water type | Freshwater |
|---|---|
| Care level | Beginner |
| Minimum tank | 20 gallons |
| Temperament | Peaceful, social bottom dweller. Must be kept in a group of six or more of their own kind. They do not 'clean' a tank by themselves. |
| Diet | Omnivore. Sinking wafers or pellets made for corydoras, plus frozen bloodworms, brine shrimp, and crushed flakes that reach the sand. Do not expect leftover flakes to be enough. |
| Temperature | 72–78 °F |
| pH | 6.5–7.5 |
| Hardness / salinity | Soft to moderately hard (around 2–15 dGH). They need cool, oxygen-rich water more than a perfect pH. |
Corydoras paleatus is a South American callichthyid catfish sold as a 'cleaner.' They will pick at leftover food, but they do not eat algae the way otocinclus or true algae eaters do, and a single cory in a 10-gallon is a lonely, stressed fish.
Plan a group of at least six. They school, rest in piles, and forage together. Twenty gallons is a sensible minimum for that group plus a small midwater school.
These fish sift substrate with sensitive barbels. Coarse or sharp gravel can wear barbels down and lead to infection. Fine sand (play sand that is aquarium-safe, or aquarium sand) is the usual recommendation. Smooth, rounded small gravel is a second choice.
They gulp air at the surface as part of normal gut respiration. That dart to the top is not always gasping, but frequent gasping at the surface with heavy breathing can mean low oxygen or poor water. Keep the water well oxygenated; they dislike stagnant, very warm tanks. Hold it at 72 to 78°F with an adjustable heater.
Cories are among the best community bottom dwellers for peaceful tropical tanks. They should not be housed with oscars, large aggressive cichlids, or goldfish that will outcompete and foul the water.
Feed them after lights out or with sinking foods so midwater fish do not steal every bite.
A few listings we would open for this species. Skip anything you already own that still works.
CaribSea Super Naturals Moonlight Sand
Peppered cories sift with their barbels. Fine, smooth sand is the usual substrate. This inert moonlight sand will not scrape them the way cheap sharp gravel does.
A 20-gallon wants something like a 20 lb bag for a real layer, not a 5 lb sample. Rinse until the water runs clearer. Skip play sand unless you know it is aquarium-safe and dust-free.
See this listingHikari Sinking Wafers, 1.76 oz
They are not a cleanup crew. Leftover flake that never reaches the sand is not a diet. These wafers were made for corydoras and other bottom feeders.
Feed after lights out or while midwater fish are busy so the wafers actually hit the sand. Frozen bloodworms a few times a week help. Skip algae wafers as the only food.
See this listingAqueon Adjustable Pro heater, 100W
They like cool tropical, not a hot discus tank. A 20-gallon group still needs a heater in most houses. 100W is the Pro size for that volume.
Keep them toward 72–76 F with good oxygen. Skip extra heat if they already sit in that range. They gulp air on purpose; gasping plus heavy breathing is a different problem.
See this listingSix or more of the same species. Mixed 'cory soup' of one each is less natural than a proper group of paleatus, aeneus, or another single species.
No. They scavenge some leftover food, but you still have to vacuum, change water, and feed them a real diet.
Fine sand that will not scrape their barbels. Avoid sharp gravel.
Next step
Plan on 20 gallons or more. Put your actual tank size into the stocking calculator and it shows what else can live alongside them.
Open the stocking calculatorBefore you buy
Keep your fishies swimming.
Freshwater · Beginner
Paracheirodon innesi
Keep neon tetras in a school of at least 6, and plan on 8 to 12 in a 20-gallon tank. Adults stay under 1.5 inches. A 10-gallon is the minimum for a small school. Hold the water at 72 to 78°F, soft and slightly acidic (pH 5.5 to 7.0), with plants and dim light.
Min. tank: 10 gal
Care notes →
Freshwater · Beginner
Poecilia reticulata
Guppies are colorful, active livebearers for a heated 10-gallon (or larger) community, with one caveat: mixed sexes will produce fry, often lots of them.
Min. tank: 10 gal
Care notes →
Freshwater · Beginner
Xiphophorus maculatus
Platies are hardy, hard-water livebearers for a heated 15-gallon (20 is easier). Mickey Mouse, wagtail, and sunset are color strains, not different care. Mixed sexes mean fry.
Min. tank: 15 gal
Care notes →
