Species › Catfish and plecos

Peppered corydoras tank mates and minimum tank size

Corydoras paleatus

Peppered corydoras grow to 7 cm (2.8 in). They live in groups: keep at least 5. They need 22–23 °C (72–73 °F) and pH 6.0–7.0.

Minimum tank

114 L (30 US gal), at least 61 cm (24 in) long

Adult size

7 cm (2.8 in)

Temperature

22–23 °C (72–73 °F)

pH

pH 6.0–7.0

Group

5 or more

Peppered corydoras minimum tank size

Peppered corydoras need at least 114 L (30 US gal), in a tank at least 61 cm (24 in) long.

That is the largest minimum among the sources below. The planner also checks the tank length against the adult size of 7 cm (2.8 in): a tank shorter than 4 times that is cramped (28 cm (11 in)).

Peppered corydoras tank mates

Each of the other 52 species in this reference, judged against peppered corydoras by the same rules as the compatibility checker. A guide, not a guarantee.

Compatible (14)

• Black skirt tetra
• Celestial pearl danio
• Glass catfish
• Harlequin rasbora
• Honey gourami
• Neon tetra
• Otocinclus
• Panda corydoras
• Pygmy corydoras
• Red tail shark
• Serpae tetra
• Tiger barb
• Yoyo loach
• Zebra danio

With care (15)

• Black neon tetraThe only temperature that suits both is 23 °C (73 °F), set by black neon tetras and peppered corydoras. That leaves no margin.
• Bristlenose plecoThe only temperature that suits both is 23 °C (73 °F), set by bristlenose plecos and peppered corydoras. That leaves no margin.
• Cardinal tetraThe only temperature that suits both is 23 °C (73 °F), set by cardinal tetras and peppered corydoras. That leaves no margin. The only pH that suits both is pH 6.0, set by peppered corydoras and cardinal tetras. That leaves no margin.
• Cherry barbThe only temperature that suits both is 23 °C (73 °F), set by cherry barbs and peppered corydoras. That leaves no margin.
• Cherry shrimpPeppered corydoras leave adult cherry shrimp alone but may eat their young.
• Congo tetraThe only temperature that suits both is 23 °C (73 °F), set by Congo tetras and peppered corydoras. That leaves no margin.
• GuppyThe only pH that suits both is pH 7.0, set by guppies and peppered corydoras. That leaves no margin.
• Lemon tetraThe only temperature that suits both is 23 °C (73 °F), set by lemon tetras and peppered corydoras. That leaves no margin.
• Nerite snailThe only pH that suits both is pH 7.0, set by nerite snails and peppered corydoras. That leaves no margin.
• Paradise fishThe only temperature that suits both is 22 °C (72 °F), set by peppered corydoras and paradise fish. That leaves no margin.
• PlatyThe only pH that suits both is pH 7.0, set by platies and peppered corydoras. That leaves no margin.
• Rosy barbThe only temperature that suits both is 22 °C (72 °F), set by peppered corydoras and rosy barbs. That leaves no margin.
• Rummy-nose tetraThe only temperature that suits both is 23 °C (73 °F), set by rummy-nose tetras and peppered corydoras. That leaves no margin. The only pH that suits both is pH 6.0, set by peppered corydoras and rummy-nose tetras. That leaves no margin.
• SwordtailThe only pH that suits both is pH 7.0, set by swordtails and peppered corydoras. That leaves no margin.
• White cloud mountain minnowThe only temperature that suits both is 22 °C (72 °F), set by peppered corydoras and white cloud mountain minnows. That leaves no margin.

Not compatible (23)

• AngelfishAngelfish need 25.6–28.9 °C (78–84 °F); peppered corydoras need 22–23 °C (72–73 °F). No temperature suits both. The only pH that suits both is pH 6.8–7.0, set by angelfish and peppered corydoras. That leaves no margin.
• BettaBettas need 24.4–29.4 °C (76–85 °F); peppered corydoras need 22–23 °C (72–73 °F). No temperature suits both. The only pH that suits both is pH 6.8–7.0, set by bettas and peppered corydoras. That leaves no margin. Bettas are usually best kept alone. Some accept calm tank mates such as peppered corydoras, many do not.
• Boeseman's rainbowfishBoeseman's rainbowfish need 27–30 °C (81–86 °F); peppered corydoras need 22–23 °C (72–73 °F). No temperature suits both. The only pH that suits both is pH 7.0, set by Boeseman's rainbowfish and peppered corydoras. That leaves no margin.
• Bronze corydorasBronze corydoras need 25–27 °C (77–81 °F); peppered corydoras need 22–23 °C (72–73 °F). No temperature suits both.
• Chili rasboraChili rasboras need 25–28 °C (77–82 °F); peppered corydoras need 22–23 °C (72–73 °F). No temperature suits both.
• Clown loachClown loaches need 25–30 °C (77–86 °F); peppered corydoras need 22–23 °C (72–73 °F). No temperature suits both.
• Cockatoo dwarf cichlidCockatoo dwarf cichlids need 24–25 °C (75–77 °F); peppered corydoras need 22–23 °C (72–73 °F). No temperature suits both. The only pH that suits both is pH 6.0, set by peppered corydoras and cockatoo dwarf cichlids. That leaves no margin.
• Common plecoCommon plecos need 23.3–26.7 °C (74–80 °F); peppered corydoras need 22–23 °C (72–73 °F). No temperature suits both. The only pH that suits both is pH 7.0, set by common plecos and peppered corydoras. That leaves no margin.
• Convict cichlidConvict cichlids need 24–28 °C (75–82 °F); peppered corydoras need 22–23 °C (72–73 °F). No temperature suits both. Convict cichlids are aggressive and best kept in a tank of their own; they attack fish several times their size, so peppered corydoras would be harassed. The only pH that suits both is pH 7.0, set by convict cichlids and peppered corydoras. That leaves no margin.
• DiscusDiscus need 26–30 °C (79–86 °F); peppered corydoras need 22–23 °C (72–73 °F). No temperature suits both.
• Dwarf gouramiDwarf gouramis need 25–27 °C (77–81 °F); peppered corydoras need 22–23 °C (72–73 °F). No temperature suits both.
• Ember tetraEmber tetras need 24–28 °C (75–82 °F); peppered corydoras need 22–23 °C (72–73 °F). No temperature suits both.
• Endler's livebearerEndler's livebearers need 24–30 °C (75–86 °F); peppered corydoras need 22–23 °C (72–73 °F). No temperature suits both. The only pH that suits both is pH 7.0, set by Endler's livebearers and peppered corydoras. That leaves no margin.
• German blue ramGerman blue rams need 27–30 °C (81–86 °F); peppered corydoras need 22–23 °C (72–73 °F). No temperature suits both. The only pH that suits both is pH 6.0, set by peppered corydoras and German blue rams. That leaves no margin.
• Glowlight tetraGlowlight tetras need 24–28 °C (75–82 °F); peppered corydoras need 22–23 °C (72–73 °F). No temperature suits both.
• GoldfishPeppered corydoras need 22–23 °C (72–73 °F); goldfish need 15.6–21.1 °C (60–70 °F). No temperature suits both. The only pH that suits both is pH 7.0, set by goldfish and peppered corydoras. That leaves no margin.
• KribensisKribensis need 24–25 °C (75–77 °F); peppered corydoras need 22–23 °C (72–73 °F). No temperature suits both.
• Kuhli loachKuhli loaches need 24–26 °C (75–79 °F); peppered corydoras need 22–23 °C (72–73 °F). No temperature suits both.
• MollyMollies need pH 7.5–8.2; peppered corydoras need pH 6.0–7.0. No pH suits both.
• Mystery snailMystery snails need pH 7.2 or higher; peppered corydoras need pH 6.0–7.0. No pH suits both.
• OscarOscars grow to 46 cm and eat animals they can swallow; peppered corydoras grow to 7 cm.
• Pearl gouramiPearl gouramis need 24–28 °C (75–82 °F); peppered corydoras need 22–23 °C (72–73 °F). No temperature suits both.
• Siamese algae eaterSiamese algae eaters need 24–26 °C (75–79 °F); peppered corydoras need 22–23 °C (72–73 °F). No temperature suits both.

Sources

Where sources differ, the value shown is computed as the most cautious one.

Behaviour notes are from Seriously Fish, read 2026-10-26.

Check against another species Plan a tank