Peppered Catfish

Peppered Catfish
(Corydoras paleatus)

A peaceful but most desirable scavenger, coming from southern Brazil but possibly ranging south to Argentina; the peppered catfish is quite hardy at temperatures down to 8° C or lower (?) and is well known for breeding most readily when the summer water temperature is reduced from over 20° C to around 15° C. It lives happily in the outdoor pond in temperate, frost free climates. Like many "cool tropicals" it grows bigger, stronger and becomes more colourful when kept outside. Outdoor specimens grow fat, develop an attractive iridescent sheen and have a general appearance of well-being (click here for a photograph).

The peppered catfish is a shoal fish which seems to really enjoys companionship. A group of ten or more will sometimes work as a team systematically scouring the bottom of the tank or pond. I cannot speak highly enough of this mild-mannered, useful and hardy fish.

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