Peppered corydoras

The peppered corydoras is a charming, subtly patterned catfish from the cool, sluggish waters of southeastern South America — including Argentina, Brazil and Uruguay. Hoplisoma paleatum is also known by its older name Corydoras paleatus. Its body is a soft olive-grey covered in irregular dark speckles and blotches, giving it the 'peppered' look that lends the species its common name. It has no dark bar crossing the eye. Like all corydoras, it has bony armour plates and protective spines in its dorsal and pectoral fins.

Peppered cories are among the most peaceful community fish available. They spend nearly all their time foraging along the bottom in small groups, emerging occasionally to dart to the surface for air. Keep a group; these are social bottom-dwelling fish. They are generally compatible with suitable peaceful tankmates that will not outcompete them for food: tetras, rasboras, small livebearers, and dwarf cichlids all make excellent companions. Their diet should include sinking catfish pellets, live and frozen bloodworms, daphnia, brine shrimp, and occasional vegetable matter. Notably, this species is subtropical and prefers cooler temperatures than most tropical fish — an unheated aquarium is suitable only if its actual temperature meets the selected care interval.

Provide a base of at least 61 × 38 cm. A soft sand substrate is recommended; rough gravel can abrade their barbels and lead to infection. Keep water at 22–26°C and pH 6.0–7.0. Peppered cories breed readily in the home aquarium: the female deposits a small batch of adhesive eggs on plant leaves or the aquarium glass, and the classic 'T-position' mating embrace is regularly observed in well-conditioned groups. Eggs hatch in around three days; start the fry on suitably small food such as microworms and later progress to Artemia nauplii and powdered foods. Water quality remains critical.