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Blue leopard corydoras (Corydoras paleatus) — Callichthyidae

Blue leopard corydoras

Corydoras paleatus
LC · Least Concern

The Blue leopard corydoras (Corydoras paleatus) is a freshwater fish of the family Callichthyidae that grows up to 7 cm.

Length
6.6 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Omnivore
Behaviour
Large groups
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
South America; bottom of ponds, streams and calm river sections.
Edibility
Not eaten

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Description

The peppered corydoras is an armoured catfish (Callichthyidae) from South America. Instead of scales the species bears two rows of bony plates along the body. It has a grey-green, dark-mottled pattern and short barbels at the mouth. It lives in groups on the bottom of ponds, streams and quiet river stretches, where it forages the sediment for worms, crustaceans, insects and plant matter. The sharp pectoral fin spines can give a painful prick when handled.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Blue leopard corydoras?

The Blue leopard corydoras has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly green and shows a marbled pattern. Two rows of bony plates instead of scales; sociable bottom forager with sharp pectoral fin spines.

Where does the Blue leopard corydoras live?

The Blue leopard corydoras lives in fresh water and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. South America; bottom of ponds, streams and calm river sections.

How big does the Blue leopard corydoras get?

The Blue leopard corydoras grows to a maximum of about 7 cm.

Is the Blue leopard corydoras dangerous to humans?

No, the Blue leopard corydoras is harmless to humans. Not venomous in the usual sense, but the sharp, lockable pectoral fin spines can give a painful prick and the fish may release a mild skin secretion under stress. Handle carefully and clean any wound.

Is the Blue leopard corydoras edible?

The Blue leopard corydoras is not usually eaten.

More photos

Blue leopard corydoras (Corydoras paleatus) — Callichthyidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) Eduardo Medina, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Blue leopard corydoras (Corydoras paleatus) — Callichthyidae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) marcelocasacuberta, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Blue leopard corydoras (Corydoras paleatus) — Callichthyidae — 4
Wikimedia Commons — NiKo at German Wikipedia (Public domain)
Blue leopard corydoras (Corydoras paleatus) — Callichthyidae — 5
Wikimedia Commons — Sychriscar (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Blue leopard corydoras verified
Scientific name
Corydoras paleatus
Family
Callichthyidae
Other names
Catfish; Mottled corydoras; Peppered catfish; Peppered cory; Peppered corydoras verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
6.6 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Green inferred
Pattern
Marbled inferred
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Mouth position
Inferior (downward) inferred
Lips
Thick / fleshy inferred
Barbels
Yes sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous inferred
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Natural range
South America; bottom of ponds, streams and calm river sections. inferred
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Omnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Worms, crustaceans, insects and plant material sourced
Social behaviour
Large groups inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Nocturnal inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred
Special features
Two rows of bony plates instead of scales; sociable bottom forager with sharp pectoral fin spines. sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten sourced
Fishing method
Not a target species for angling; at most an incidental catch or usable as baitfish. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced
First aid
Not venomous in the usual sense, but the sharp, lockable pectoral fin spines can give a painful prick and the fish may release a mild skin secretion under stress. Handle carefully and clean any wound. sourced

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Corydoras

More from the family Callichthyidae

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