All fish / Callichthyidae

Salt and Pepper Cory

Corydoras habrosus

Also known as salt and pepper catfish, dwarf cory, pygmy salt and pepper cory, habrosus cory, dainty cory, corydoras habrosis, コリドラス・ハブロスス, 娇小兵鲶, 胡椒小精灵鼠

This is one of the smallest armoured catfish, a pale fawn fish with dark blotches and a broken stripe along the flank. Unlike the pygmy and dwarf cories it stays mostly on the substrate, sifting sand for food in busy little groups. Its tiny size makes it a good choice for nano and planted tanks with gentle companions.

Care at a glance

Care level

Moderate

Temperament

Peaceful

Adult size

2.5 cm

Temperature

22 to 26 °C

pH

6 to 7.5

Smallest tank

40 litres

Keep as

Group of 8 or more

Diet

Omnivore: small sinking pellets, micro wafers, frozen and live bloodworm, daphnia and brine shrimp

Swims

Bottom of the tank

Lifespan

3 to 5 years

Water

Freshwater

Wild range

Venezuela and Colombia (upper Orinoco basin)

Breeding

It spawns in the typical cory fashion, with females placing sticky eggs on plants or glass after a T-position embrace, often prompted by a cool water change. Eggs and fry are tiny, so they are best raised separately on infusoria and microworms; it is moderately easy with a well-fed group.

Good to know

Needs soft sand and clean, well-oxygenated water to protect its barbels, and should not be kept with large or boisterous fish. Often confused with Corydoras hastatus and C. pygmaeus, which swim in midwater.