Common name
Peppered cory
Scientific name
Hoplisoma paleatum
Category
Freshwater fish
Group
Corydoradine catfish
Environment
Freshwater
Origin
Lower Paraná basin and southern South American coastal drainages
Care level
Beginner
Adult size
About 5–7 cm total length
Expected lifespan
5–10 years
Minimum housing
90 L or larger with smooth sand
Temperature
18–25 °C
pH
6.0–7.6
Hardness / minerals
2–15 dGH
Salinity
Freshwater
Lighting
Subdued to normal lighting with shaded resting areas
Placement / swimming zone
Bottom and lower midwater

Identity and search names

Single-species profile for Hoplisoma paleatum. Corydoras paleatus is retained as the former combination.

Search names: Pepper cory, Peppered corydoras, Corydoras paleatus

Environment and housing

Use smooth sand, shaded cover, clean oxygenated water and unobstructed surface access.

Water stability: Maintain 18–25 °C; pH 6.0–7.6; minerals: 2–15 dGH; salinity: Freshwater. Stability, dissolved oxygen and nitrogen-cycle control matter more than chasing one exact reading.

Feeding and nutrition

Feeding ecology: Complete sinking omnivore foods plus small frozen or cultured invertebrates

Feeding routine: Feed complete sinking omnivore foods and small invertebrate foods at multiple points. Confirm every fish maintains a full abdomen.

Social structure and compatibility

Keep six or more

Keep with peaceful fish that tolerate the cooler temperature range and do not monopolise bottom food. Retain a cycled separation option for aggression, feeding exclusion, predation, injury or disease.

Adult load and life support

Projected adult load: Moderate for a shoal of six to ten bottom fish, with concentrated waste at feeding and resting sites.

Filtration: Use mature gentle-to-moderate filtration with protected intakes and no stagnant waste traps.

Aeration: Maintain good oxygenation and unobstructed surface access, particularly during warm weather.

Maintenance: Siphon open sand, inspect barbels and bellies, and keep the aquarium within the species’ cooler long-term range.

Breeding and reproduction

T-position spawning followed by adhesive eggs on glass, plants or décor. Do not compromise adult welfare, genetic identity, quarantine capacity or lawful rehoming to attempt breeding.

Quarantine, welfare and risk

Quarantine: Quarantine new fish in a separate fully cycled system for at least 30 days at the intended temperature and mineral chemistry. Use dedicated equipment; observe appetite, respiration, faeces, skin, fins, gills and behaviour; never add transport water to the display.

Welfare checks: Maintain a proper shoal, smooth clean substrate and measurable access to food. Track individual body condition, feeding access, respiration, injury, abnormal hiding or aggression and use of the intended swimming zone.

Important warning

Peppered corys are not cleaners. Feed them directly and do not keep them long-term at temperatures chosen for warm-water species.

Main risk: Barbel damage, chronic underfeeding and overheating in a warm community aquarium.

Australian biosecurity and release

Never release fish, fry, eggs, aquarium water, sediment, plants, live food or wet equipment into drains, dams or natural waterways. Australian import eligibility is species-specific: check the current permitted ornamental-fish list and BICON conditions by accepted scientific name. Import requires a permit, an approved source country and approved-arrangement isolation. Check current South Australian noxious-fish and movement rules before purchase, sale, transport or disposal.

Current check: Current lawful import, possession or movement must be checked by accepted scientific name. Absence from one state list is not import approval.

Detailed husbandry

Identity Scope
Single-species profile for Hoplisoma paleatum. Corydoras paleatus is retained as the former combination.
Adult Size And Space
Expected adult size: About 5–7 cm total length. Minimum permanent housing: 90 L or larger with smooth sand. Adult dimensions, group or territory needs, swimming footprint, oxygen demand and waste production matter more than juvenile sale size.
Social Structure
Keep six or more
Swimming Zone
Primary zone: Bottom and lower midwater. Keep that zone open enough for normal movement, feeding, refuge and escape.
Feeding Ecology
Complete sinking omnivore foods plus small frozen or cultured invertebrates
Feeding Plan
Feed complete sinking omnivore foods and small invertebrate foods at multiple points. Confirm every fish maintains a full abdomen.
Water Stability
Maintain 18–25 °C; pH 6.0–7.6; minerals: 2–15 dGH; salinity: Freshwater. Stability, dissolved oxygen and nitrogen-cycle control matter more than chasing one exact reading.
Adult Projected Load
Moderate for a shoal of six to ten bottom fish, with concentrated waste at feeding and resting sites.
Filtration
Use mature gentle-to-moderate filtration with protected intakes and no stagnant waste traps.
Aeration
Maintain good oxygenation and unobstructed surface access, particularly during warm weather.
Maintenance
Siphon open sand, inspect barbels and bellies, and keep the aquarium within the species’ cooler long-term range.
Habitat Structure
Use smooth sand, shaded cover, clean oxygenated water and unobstructed surface access.
Compatibility Plan
Keep with peaceful fish that tolerate the cooler temperature range and do not monopolise bottom food. Retain a cycled separation option for aggression, feeding exclusion, predation, injury or disease.
Breeding Plan
T-position spawning followed by adhesive eggs on glass, plants or décor. Do not compromise adult welfare, genetic identity, quarantine capacity or lawful rehoming to attempt breeding.
Quarantine
Quarantine new fish in a separate fully cycled system for at least 30 days at the intended temperature and mineral chemistry. Use dedicated equipment; observe appetite, respiration, faeces, skin, fins, gills and behaviour; never add transport water to the display.
Welfare Checks
Maintain a proper shoal, smooth clean substrate and measurable access to food. Track individual body condition, feeding access, respiration, injury, abnormal hiding or aggression and use of the intended swimming zone.
Biosecurity And Release
Never release fish, fry, eggs, aquarium water, sediment, plants, live food or wet equipment into drains, dams or natural waterways. Australian import eligibility is species-specific: check the current permitted ornamental-fish list and BICON conditions by accepted scientific name. Import requires a permit, an approved source country and approved-arrangement isolation. Check current South Australian noxious-fish and movement rules before purchase, sale, transport or disposal.
Main Risk
Barbel damage, chronic underfeeding and overheating in a warm community aquarium.
Overridable Warnings
Peppered corys are not cleaners. Feed them directly and do not keep them long-term at temperatures chosen for warm-water species.

Sources

Current accepted identity or qualified trade identity, former names, adult scale, social structure, feeding ecology, adult projected load, filtration, aeration, maintenance, quarantine, welfare, Australian import controls and South Australian movement or no-release obligations were rechecked. AquaNexus wording is original.