Description:

Albino Peppered Corydoras (No Online Purchases)

Type:

Corydoras

• Corydorus
• pH 6.5-7.6
• 24-26.7 Celcius

DESCRIPTION:

The Albino Peppered Corydoras is a beautiful and readily available color morph of the Peppered Corydoras (Corydoras paleatus). It’s a popular choice for beginner and experienced aquarists alike due to its peaceful nature and ease of care.

Appearance:

• As the name suggests, they are an albino version of the Peppered Corydoras. This means they lack dark pigmentation.
• Their body is typically a pinkish-white color.
• They have bright red or pink eyes, characteristic of albinism.
• You might still see very faint outlines of the “peppered” pattern in a lighter shade.
• They retain the typical Corydoras body shape: a low-slung body with an armored appearance due to bony plates along their sides.
• They have the characteristic barbels (whiskers) around their mouths, which they use to search for food in the substrate.

Care Requirements:

The care for Albino Peppered Corydoras is very similar to that of the standard Peppered Corydoras:

• Tank Size: A minimum tank size of 20 gallons (75 liters) is recommended for a small group. A long tank is preferable as they spend most of their time on the bottom.
• Water Parameters:
  • Temperature: 68-79F (20-26C). They are known to tolerate slightly cooler temperatures compared to some other Corydoras species.
  • pH: 6.0-7.0.
  • Hardness: Soft to moderately hard (50-100 ppm or 3-6 dGH).
• Substrate: A soft, sandy substrate is crucial to protect their delicate barbels. Coarse gravel can damage them, leading to infections.
• Tank Decor: Provide plenty of hiding places with live or artificial plants, driftwood, and caves. They appreciate a well-planted tank.
• Filtration: Good filtration is essential to maintain water quality. They are sensitive to high levels of nitrates and other pollutants.
• Social Behavior: Albino Peppered Corydoras are social schooling fish and should be kept in groups of at least six or more to feel secure and display their natural behaviors. Larger groups are even better.
• Temperament: They are peaceful and get along well with other peaceful community fish of similar size and temperament, such as tetras, rasboras, guppies, and other non-aggressive bottom dwellers. Avoid housing them with large or aggressive fish.
• Diet: They are omnivores and will eat a variety of foods. Provide high-quality sinking pellets or wafers as their staple diet. Supplement with live or frozen foods like bloodworms, brine shrimp, and daphnia. They also appreciate blanched vegetables like zucchini or spinach. Ensure food reaches the bottom where they primarily feed.

Breeding:

Breeding Albino Peppered Corydoras is possible in a well-maintained aquarium.

• Males are typically smaller and slimmer than females.
• To encourage spawning, perform regular water changes with slightly cooler water to simulate the rainy season.
• Condition the breeding group with plenty of live and frozen foods.
• Females will lay adhesive eggs on surfaces like plants or the aquarium glass.
• The fry hatch in about 4-6 days and can be fed powdered fry food or baby brine shrimp. It’s best to remove the adults after spawning as they may eat the eggs or fry.