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Corydoras paleatus is a species of catfish (order Siluriformes) of the family Callichthyidae. Its common names include peppered cat, pepper cory or salt & pepper cory.^[1] It originates from the lower Paraná River basin and coastal rivers in Uruguay and Brazil.^[1]

Description

This fish species reaches about 5.9 centimetres (2.3 in) SL.^[1] The male is smaller than the female and in proportion to body length, the dorsal fin and pectoral fins are longer on the male than the female.^[2]

Ecology

Corydoras paleatus is found in the amazon basin,^[1] and feeds on worms, crustaceans, insects, and plant matter.^[1]

C. paleatus has been known to produce sound; it does this by abduction of its pectoral fins. This is used by males during courtship and intrapersonal communication, and by both sexes and juveniles when distressed.^[2]

In reproduction, males do not behave aggressively toward each other, nor do they monopolize mating areas or females.^[2] The T-position is involved in courtship, as with many other Corydoras species.^[2]

In the aquarium

Corydoras paleatus

It is a very good choice for the community aquarium, as it is a hardy, good looking, and peaceful fish. They can be successfully kept with other small, peaceful aquarium fish like livebearers, danios and tetras. It is sometimes seen in the shops as an albino form, although this is similar to other albino corys (see the C. aeneus albino form). It grows to around 7.5 cm, and is easily bred at home.

These fish have sensitive barbels and one should have the proper substrate for them. To keep their barbels (whiskers) in the best condition one requires the fine gravel that looks like coarse salt. This is available in white and brown, both look good. Beware that fry are difficult to spot on the brown gravel. Gravel with sharp edges will cut their barbels (until they are gone). Their barbels are important for finding food, and thus remaining healthy.

These fish prefer a planted tank with temperatures around 60 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit (20 to 24 degrees Celsius) although they can take lower temperatures than this. Their high temperature tolerance seems poor and 30 °C (85 °F) is the highest safe temperature. They like to nibble on the algae that grows on floating plants, but are not a specialized algae eating catfish. The lighting must not be too bright and you need to set up hiding places, such as bogwood (also known as mopani wood) for them as they like to hide from the light during certain parts of the day. Also provide heavily planted areas, where the light is minimized as they like darker areas due to their bottom feeding nature.

Feed them on a mixed diet of sinking pellets, algae wafers, frozen and live food, such as bloodworm or daphnia. They may also occasionally enjoy a bit of blanched spinach, which you can attach to plants with a peg or the side of the glass with special magnetic clips. You may also see them dart quickly to the top of the tank, this is natural because they can use atmospheric oxygen to supplement what their gills extract from the water. They will do this more frequently when water quality is starting to deteriorate, so keep an eye on them, they are good indicators!

Spawning

The males initiate the courtship ritual, which entails chasing the females around the tank. The female darts away and the males search for her and find her a few moments later. The males shiver all over the female and may lie down on top of her. When she is ready to spawn she turns to the male next to her and pounds furiously below his ventral fin. The male releases his seed and the female catches it in her mouth. The female cups her ventral fins and lays a few eggs (normally about 4) in them. She now starts cleaning a spot on the glass to lays her eggs on. Corydoras are egg depositors and lay their eggs all over the aquarium. Favourite spots include the heater, filter tubes and the glass, although, occasionally eggs are also laid on plants.

After depositing a group of eggs closely together, the female rests for a few moments. The males regroup and start chasing each other and then resume chasing the female. The males are so relentless in this pursuit that they try to mate with the female even while she is busy laying her eggs. The spawning lasts more than an hour and many eggs are laid.

Raising the Fry

The eggs should hatch in about six days. Peppered Catfish will eat their babies. At first the babies will eat mainly the protozoan organisms in the tank, but will soon be able to eat fry foods.

See also

• List of freshwater aquarium fish species
• Siluriformes

References

1. ^ ^{a b c d e} Froese, Rainer, and Daniel Pauly, eds. (2011). "Corydoras paleatus" in FishBase. December 2011 version.
2. ^ ^{a b c d} Pruzsinszky, Inge; Ladich, Friedrich (October 1998). "Sound production and reproductive behaviour of the armoured catfish Corydoras paleatus (Callichthyidae)". Journal Environmental Biology of Fishes 53 (2): 183–191. doi:10.1023/A:1007413108550.

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