Albino Peppered Cory (Corydoras paleatus, albino)

The albino form of the classic Peppered Cory

This is the albino colour form of the Peppered Corydoras (Corydoras paleatus), a small armoured catfish whose wild range covers Argentina, Brazil and Uruguay. The albino fish lacks dark pigment, so the body is a soft pinkish-white with a gold-orange wash and red eyes, while the familiar shape, barbels and busy bottom-sifting behaviour are exactly those of the normal form. FishBase records a maximum of 6.6 cm standard length.

Corydoras live in groups and spend the day working the substrate for food, so they bring constant, peaceful movement to the lower part of a community aquarium.

What you receive

Choose the dispatch size — 2–2.5 cm, 2.5–3 cm, 3–3.5 cm or over 3.5 cm — then set the quantity to the number of fish you want. One quantity is one live albino cory; sex is not guaranteed. A size that is out of stock this week cannot be added to the basket.

The photos show this albino form; individual fish vary slightly in the strength of the gold wash.

Aquarium and water

Plan for at least five fish in an aquarium of about 70 litres or more with a generous floor area. Use fine, smooth sand or rounded fine gravel so the barbels are not worn, and add plants, wood and shaded resting places — albino fish lack the dark pigment of the normal form, so cover helps them settle. The FishBase and Seriously Fish overlap for this species is 22–23°C, pH 6.0–7.0 and 5–12 dGH, which suits it to a cooler community than many tropical fish. Keep nitrate low with regular partial water changes and add fish only to a mature, cycled aquarium.

Feeding

Feed sinking pellets or wafers made for bottom feeders as the staple, plus frozen or live bloodworm, Daphnia and brine shrimp for variety. Make sure food reaches the bottom — do not rely on leftovers from the fish above.

Tank mates and behaviour

Peaceful with almost any small community fish that enjoys similar cooler water: small tetras, rasboras, danios and peaceful livebearers are good companions, as are other Corydoras. Avoid large or aggressive fish and anything that would pick at a slow bottom-dweller.

Follow the arrival sequence before releasing the fish

Tropical Fish Co’s delivery and Live Arrival Guarantee policy explains the packing and arrival procedure. Livestock is hand-bagged in pure oxygen and placed in an insulated poly box, with a heat pack when the weather calls for it. Someone must be at the address to receive the parcel because live animals cannot be left unattended.

1. Receive the parcel in person and start filming before opening it. Show the parcel still sealed with the outer box visible.
2. Open the parcel in one continuous take. Keep filming until the fish can be seen inside the sealed bag before anything is disturbed.
3. Float the bag for 20–30 minutes so the temperature equalises slowly.
4. Do not pour the bag water into the aquarium. Release the fish without adding transport water to the established system.

If a Live Arrival Guarantee claim is required, contact us on the same day with the order number and the continuous unboxing video. Before the parcel arrives, confirm that ammonia and nitrite read zero and that the aquarium matches the water values on this page.

Frequently asked questions

Is the albino cory a different species?

No. It is the albino colour form of Corydoras paleatus, the Peppered Cory. Care, size and behaviour are the same as for the normally coloured fish.

How many albino corys should I keep?

Keep at least five together; they are social catfish that are more confident and active in a group.

What temperature does it need?

The FishBase and Seriously Fish overlap for Corydoras paleatus is 22–23°C, with pH 6.0–7.0 and 5–12 dGH.

What substrate is best?

Fine smooth sand or rounded fine gravel, so the fish can sift for food without wearing down their barbels.

Public references

• FishBase: Corydoras paleatus — identity, native range, environment and maximum recorded length.
• Seriously Fish: Corydoras paleatus — water conditions, group size, feeding and behaviour.
• OATA: How to look after freshwater catfish — substrate, feeding and water-quality guidance.
• RSPCA aquarium environment guidance — biological filtration and the aquarium nitrogen cycle.