Corydoras habrosus
A dwarf cory smaller than the pygmy — under 3.5 cm fully grown. The black-and-white peppered pattern reads well against sand substrate. Mid-water swimmer like the pygmy cory, not bottom-bound. Excellent for shrimp tanks because they are too small to eat adult shrimp.
Salt and Pepper Cory (Corydoras habrosus) reaches 2.5–3.5 cm as an adult and needs a minimum tank of 45 L. Native to Venezuela and Colombia, it lives in the bottom water column with a peaceful temperament. Aim for 22–26 °C, pH 6.0–7.5, and 2–12 dGH hardness. Lifespan is 4–6 years with good care. Keep salt and pepper cory in groups of 8+, yes schoolers need numbers to display natural behaviour. Diet: omnivore, Crushed sinking pellet, baby brine shrimp, micro worms, finely crushed flake. Plant-safe: Yes. Shrimp-safe: Yes.
Care at a glance
A dwarf cory smaller than the pygmy — under 3.5 cm fully grown. The black-and-white peppered pattern reads well against sand substrate. Mid-water swimmer like the pygmy cory, not bottom-bound. Excellent for shrimp tanks because they are too small to eat adult shrimp.
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The parameters that decide whether salt and pepper cory fits in your tank.
Bottom
Yes
Group of 8+
Callichthyidae
Omnivore
Crushed sinking pellet, baby brine shrimp, micro worms, finely crushed flake.
4–6 yrs
Hard
Venezuela and Colombia
Venezuela and Colombia
Tank-mate safety and the species this one is documented to thrive (or fail) alongside.
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Salt and Pepper Cory (Corydoras habrosus) needs a minimum tank of 45 L. They live in the bottom water column and should be kept in groups of 8+, so a longer footprint matters more than depth.
Target 22–26 °C, pH 6.0–7.5, and 2–12 dGH hardness. Acclimate slowly when moving them between water sources.
Shrimp safety: Yes. Plant safety: Yes.
Salt and Pepper Cory are omnivore. Crushed sinking pellet, baby brine shrimp, micro worms, finely crushed flake.
On Fin & Stem's 1–5 difficulty scale this species rates 2/5. Forgiving, beginner-friendly once the tank is cycled. Breeding difficulty: hard.
Typical lifespan in a well-maintained tank is 4–6 years.
A planted tank is a system. Pair this fish with one entry from each other pillar to plan the whole scape.
