Salt and Pepper Cory

Corydoras habrosus

Also sold as Venezuelan pygmy cory · Habrosus · Salt and pepper corydoras · Salt and pepper catfish · Salt n pepper cory

Synonyms Dainty cory · Checker cory · Hoplisoma habrosum · Gastrodermus habrosus · Habrosus cory

Salt and Pepper Cory (Corydoras habrosus) is a peaceful freshwater fish that reaches about 3.5 cm (1.4 in) and swims along the bottom in a shoal. It wants 68–79°F (20–26°C) and pH 5.5–7.5, is kept in groups of 4 or more, and needs a tank of at least 54 L (14 gal).

At a glance

Type	Fish
Adult size	3.5 cm (1.4 in)
Minimum tank	54 L (14 gal)
Group size	4 or more
Temperature	68–79°F (20–26°C)
pH	5.5–7.5
Temperament	Peaceful
Eats shrimp	Shrimplets only

Before it goes in

Salt and Pepper Cory needs at least 54 L (14 gal). The smallest size in this library that clears that is the 15 Gallon.
Keep 4 or more. Below that it hides, colours down and is far more likely to be picked on.
Adult shrimp are safe; shrimplets will be eaten, so a shrimp colony will not grow in the same tank.
It holds at 68–79°F (20–26°C). That shares a window with Betta and Cherry Shrimp, but not with Discus.
It digs in the substrate. A freshly planted carpet — Dwarf Hairgrass Mini and Downoi — gets lifted before it roots.
A group of 4 takes up roughly 28% of what a 15 Gallon will comfortably hold, so plan the rest of the stock around it.

What tank size does it need?

At least 54 L (14 gal). The smallest size here that clears it is the 15 Gallon.

How many should I keep?

4 or more. Fewer than that and it spends its time hiding instead of out in the open.

Will it eat shrimp?

Adults are safe, shrimplets are not. You can keep shrimp with it; you just will not get a growing colony.

What water does it want?

68–79°F (20–26°C), pH 5.5–7.5.

Good tank mates

Tank mates from this library that share its temperature window, are peaceful and eat neither it nor its young: Cherry Shrimp, Goldfish, Bristlenose Pleco, Celestial Pearl Danio and Molly.
Plants that hold up with it: Hygrophila corymbosa 'Siamensis', Water Sprite, Anubias nana 'Petite' and Cryptocoryne wendtii.

Often compared with

	Salt and Pepper Cory	Pygmy Cory	Panda Cory
Adult size	3.5 cm	3 cm	5 cm
Min tank	54 L	40 L	40 L
Group	4+	8+	6+
Temperature	68–79°F (20–26°C)	72–79°F (22–26°C)	68–77°F (20–25°C)
Eats shrimp	Shrimplets only	Shrimplets only	Shrimplets only

More livestock

Plan a tank with Salt and Pepper Cory →

Sources (4) · checked Sep 2026