Salt and Pepper Cory

The Salt and Pepper Cory, Corydoras habrosus, is native to Venezuela and Colombia, where it inhabits fast-flowing, oxygen-rich streams and rivers with soft bottoms. At 3 – 3.5 cm in size, it is one of the smallest Corydoras species. What characterizes this dwarf cory catfish is its pattern: a black longitudinal band on the side of the body and black spots on the head, back and dorsal fin.

Care in the aquarium

When equipping the aquarium, you should ensure that the bottom is fine sandy or soft and does not have sharp edges, as the catfish likes to dig in the ground and otherwise there is a risk of injury. Shelters made from caves or roots as well as dense vegetation are important for the animal’s well-being. As a sociable group fish, the Salt and Pepper Cory wants to be kept in a group of at least 8 members of its species. Soft to medium-hard water with a temperature between 22 and 27°C is optimal for this fish; the water should also be clean and as rich in oxygen as possible.

Feeding

In its natural habitat, this omnivore feeds mainly on algae, zooplankton and small crustaceans as well as organic remains. A varied feeding with live, frozen, dry food and plant-based food is therefore optimal.

Sexual characteristics and reproduction

The genders of larger Salt and Pepper Corys can be distinguished based on size and body structure. Females are significantly larger and broader than males. If you want to breed these Corydoras, it can be helpful to reduce the water temperature and then increase it again after a while to stimulate the willingness to spawn. Since these are sticky spawners, the eggs are spawned on plants, stones or other objects and fertilized by the male. After hatching and after the yolk sac has been used up – around 7 – 9 days – the babies can be fed the smallest food such as copepods, newly hatched artemia nauplii or very small dry food.