Long-Fin Peppered Corydoras Care Guide
A captive-bred long-fin form of Corydoras paleatus, the Peppered Cory; a hardy, peaceful subtropical schooling catfish kept in groups.
Overview
This is a captive-bred long-fin form of Corydoras paleatus, the Peppered Cory. The wild species reaches about 7 cm standard length (Seriously Fish). The long-fin variant shares the biology, hardiness and prolific breeding of the standard form, differing only in its extended finnage.
Taxonomy
- Family: Callichthyidae
- Genus: Corydoras
- Scientific name: Corydoras paleatus 'Long-Fin'
- Note: aquarium-developed long-fin form of Corydoras paleatus
Habitat
The parent species is native to parts of southern Brazil, Uruguay, Paraguay and Argentina (Seriously Fish), where it inhabits rivers, tributaries, pools and small lakes. The long-fin form is produced in captivity and is not found in the wild.
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank volume: 80 L
- Temperature: 22-26 °C (72-78 °F)
- pH: 6.0-7.5
- GH: 2-12 °dGH
- School size: 6 or more individuals
- Lifespan: 5-10 years
Diet
An opportunistic omnivore. Seriously Fish describes a diet of worms, crustaceans and plant matter in the wild; in aquaria it readily takes sinking dried foods plus live and frozen items.
Compatibility
Peaceful and best kept in groups, suiting smaller community aquaria alongside tetras and dwarf cichlids (Seriously Fish). As a subtropical species it tolerates cooler temperatures than many tropical Corydoras.
Breeding
An egg-depositor. Seriously Fish notes spawning is triggered by a cool water change of around 5 °C, with two or more males per female; eggs hatch in roughly three days and fry take microworms, powdered foods and brine shrimp nauplii.