{"product_id":"pepper-corydoras-hoplisoma-paleatum","title":"Pepper Corydoras | Hoplisoma paleatum","description":"\u003ch2\u003eDescription\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe Peppered Cory is one of the oldest and hardiest of all aquarium catfish — a peaceful, bumbling bottom-shoaler dusted in green-black mottling over a pale body. Reaching around 6–7 cm and happy in cooler water than most tropicals, a group of six or more will busy the substrate for years.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eNatural Habitat\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eNative to south-eastern South America — the Paraná and La Plata river systems of Argentina, Uruguay and southern Brazil — the Peppered Cory inhabits shallow, slow, often cool streams and pools with soft substrates and plenty of cover. This subtropical origin means it tolerates, and even prefers, cooler temperatures.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eAppearance\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eA classic armoured catfish with a stocky, rounded body clad in bony plates, a pale tan-to-olive base and a peppering of dark green-black blotches. Small sensory barbels frame the downturned mouth, perfect for sifting the substrate. Females grow slightly larger and rounder than males.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eTemperament and Compatibility\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThoroughly peaceful and sociable, the Peppered Cory is a model community fish that never bothers anyone. It is a shoaling species and must be kept in a group of at least six — more is better — to feel secure and behave naturally, foraging busily across the bottom together.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eFeeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eAn omnivore that forages on the bottom. Offer sinking pellets and wafers as a staple, supplemented with frozen and live foods such as bloodworms, daphnia and brine shrimp. It is not solely a scavenger and must be fed properly rather than left to clean up scraps.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eCare Requirements\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eProvide a soft sand or smooth, rounded gravel substrate to protect its delicate barbels, along with cover and gentle flow. It prefers cooler water than many tropical fish and suits an unheated or lightly heated tank. Keep the substrate clean, as barbel erosion follows poor bottom hygiene.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eBreeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eOne of the easiest corydoras to breed. In the classic 'T-position' the female holds the eggs in her pelvic fins, and cooler water changes often trigger spawning. Eggs are placed on the glass and plants; adults do not guard them, so move eggs or adults to raise the fry.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eSpecies Information\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eScientific Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eHoplisoma paleatum (formerly Corydoras paleatus)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCommon Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePeppered Corydoras\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOrigin\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSouth America (Paraná \/ La Plata basin)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMaximum Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAround 6–7 cm\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLifespan\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e5–10 years\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTemperament\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePeaceful; schooling\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDifficulty\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBeginner\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMinimum Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e60 litres\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRecommended Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e90 litres or more\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDiet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOmnivore (bottom feeder)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWater Temperature\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e18–24 °C\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003epH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e6.0–8.0\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e5–19 dGH (soft to hard)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSalinity\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot applicable (freshwater)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSuitable For\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBeginners; community and cooler-water tanks\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eReef Safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot applicable\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePlant Safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eYes — does not damage plants\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\u003ch2\u003eSuitable Tank Mates\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003ePeaceful community fish such as tetras, rasboras, danios, peaceful barbs, gouramis and other corydoras. Ideal in cooler community tanks alongside white cloud minnows and similar.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eAvoid Keeping With\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eLarge or aggressive fish, cichlids that may bully bottom-dwellers, and any species needing consistently high tropical temperatures that would be too warm for this cool-loving cory.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nick's Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","offers":[{"title":"Small (1-5cm)","offer_id":55232801145123,"sku":"AA1493","price":8.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Medium (5-10cm)","offer_id":55232801177891,"sku":"AA1493-M","price":13.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0972\/7236\/5347\/files\/Pepper_Corydoras_1cdc7c77-e649-494b-ac3a-71ee53c69019.jpg?v=1781698802","url":"https:\/\/nicksaquariumoceanariumterrarium.com.au\/products\/pepper-corydoras-hoplisoma-paleatum","provider":"Nicks AOT","version":"1.0","type":"link"}