PlanetCatfish.com - Corydoras (lineage 6) paleatus (Callichthyidae) Cat-eLog

Male
Head on view, pair (larger female)
Albino
Albino
Long-fin variety
Female laying eggs on leaves
Balloon form
Male
Female
Rio San Juan, Colonia, Uruguay
Video - Female laying eggs
Female laying eggs
"T-position" spawning embrace
Albino
Albino long-fin variety
Habitat: Arroyo Sarandi, Canelones, Uruguay
Caught in Arroyo Sarandi, Canelones, Uruguay

Cat-eLog Data Sheet
Scientific Name	**Corydoras (lineage 6) paleatus** (Jenyns, 1842)
Common Names	Peppered Cory Panzerwels/Corydoras - Catfish (Germany), Peppered Catfish, Plettet Pansermalle (Denmark)
Type Locality	Laguna del Potrero, Maldonado, Uruguay, 34°50'28"S, 55°08'43"W.
Synonym(s)	Callichthys paleatus, Corydoras maculatus, Corydoras marmoratus, Corydoras paleatus, Silurus 7-radiatus, Silurus quadricostatus
Pronunciation	kor ee doh rass (lineage six). - pal ee AH tuss
Etymology	Cory = helmet, doras = skin. In this case it was incorrectly used to mean armour (cuirasse) instead of skin in allusion to the dual rows of plates that run along the flanks of this genus. Latin palea = chaff (strips of metal foil) alluding to wild-caught specimens colouration.
Articles	- CotM 1999 March - Shane's World Catfishology The Catfish Basics Series, Pt 9 - An Attempt to Spawn On Demand
Species Information
Size	59mm or 2.3" SL. Find near, nearer or same sized spp.
Identification	Normally coloured adults are easily identified but young can be confused with some other Corydoras (such as C. barbatus and the like) or even young Aspidoras. Wild caught individuals look quite different from farm raised fish commonly encountered for sale. Wild fish have a higher contrast pattern, the pigmentation shimmers like foil in natural sunlight. An albino variety is uncommonly available. These can be readily recognised by having a small pink patch on the back, just in front of the dorsal fin. Other commonly available albino congeners don't have this pink patch and consequently appear uniform white or lightly yellowish. In good light also a subtle pattern of iridescent reflections on the flanks are visible. The light reflects in a way that shows the normal pigmentation, but this is rarely visible in unless this fish is very settled.
Sexing	Females more plump with rounded ventral fins and shorter pectoral and dorsal spines.
Habitat Information
Distribution	South America: Lower Paraná River basin and coastal rivers in Uruguay and Brazil. La Plata, Uruguay (click on these areas to find other species found there) La Plata, Paraná, Lower Paraná (click on these areas to find other species found there) Mar Chiquita, Dulce, Sali (click on these areas to find other species found there) La Plata, Uruguay, Lower Uruguay, Negro (Lower Uruguay) (click on these areas to find other species found there) Log in to view data on a map.
IUCN Red List Category	Least Concern, range map and more is available on the IUCN species page. Last assessed 2020.
pH	6.0 - 7.5
Temperature	15.0-25.0°C or 59-77°F (Show species within this range)
Other Parameters	Wild caught specimens require cooler, bright water.
Husbandry Information
Feeding	Flake foods, sinking tablets, live or frozen brineshrimp are all eagerly taken. Bloodworm are particularly relished. Tubifex, white and blackworm are also taken but care should be taken when feeding tubifex as it can easily foul the water. User data.
Furniture	Well rounded gravel, sand or leaf-litter as a substrate will ensure proper barbel growth, which is essential before attempting reproduction. Some large leafed plants are used for cover although this fish is active through the day.
Compatibility	Peaceful. The commonly available farm raised stock that you encounter in virtually all aquatic shops are an ideal first catfish for the beginner's community tank.
Suggested Tankmates	Other peppered corys! Suits a tank with community fish that enjoy a slightly cooler tropical tank. Not a fish for the discus tank, although hardy enough to stand high temperature for a while, it doesn't help the longevity of the fish.
Breeding	It is considered that wild-caught C. paleatus are harder to breed than their tank-raised cousins. The latter commonly spawn in the community aquarium but a breeding tank of as little as 5 gallons will suffice and allow the fry to develop safely. A female and two males is the bare minimum, but more males can be added and some breeders actively recommend this. A period of ''fattening up'' achieved by feeding frozen or live foods followed by both a sharp drop of temperature and influx of fresh water should induce spawning.The female is shown here just prior to egg release. These eggs are held together in a clutch formed by the female's pelvic fins. How the actual fertilization of the eggs takes place is a matter of great debate amongst Corydoras breeders. Either the sperm is released in the water (possibly which the female wafts down the length of her body) and reaches the eggs OR the female ingests the sperm and somehow this passes through her body and is released over the eggs. This internal route is possibly a by-product of the mechanism that allows Corydoras to ''breathe'' air and dissolve it into the bloodstream in the lower gut. Detractors of the latter theory state that the female's mouth is clamped shut in gripping the male or is clamped to the body of the male by his pelvic fins! Whatever the route, it works. The female swims away and deftly ''lays'' the eggs, usually on the aquarium glass, but occasionally on broadleaf plants. Rearing is as for Corydoras similis.
Breeding Reports	There are 42 breeding reports, read them all here.
Further Information
Reference	The zoology of the voyage of H. M. S. Beagle, pp 113.
Registered Keepers	There are 606 registered keepers, view all "my cats" data.
Wishlists	Love this species? Click the heart to add it to your wish list. There are 11 wishes to keep this species, see who wants what.
Spotters	Spotted this species somewhere? Click the binoculars! There are 130 records of this fish being seen, view them all.
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Last Update	2023 Aug 07 07:55 (species record created: 2001 Apr 30 00:00)