What fish can live with Peppered Corydoras?

Usually safer companions on this hub include Guppy, Harlequin Rasbora, Neon Tetra, Platy. Open each pair check before you buy — the list is a shortlist, not a guarantee.

What tank mates should you avoid with Peppered Corydoras?

Avoid Green Terror, Jack Dempsey, Oscar based on size, temperament, or predation risk on this profile.

What size tank do Peppered Corydoras need for a community?

80L is the planning floor for adult swimming space and bioload. A 98L+ tank is the more comfortable long-term footprint. Length and depth matter as much as raw litres for active or territorial fish.

Peppered Corydoras tank mates

A hardy cool-water cory that tolerates a wider temperature range than most. Similar care to bronze cory; needs six fish and smooth substrate.

Common mistakeParking peppered cories at discus temperatures because the community is ‘tropical’ is how keepers shorten cory lifespans. Their comfort band leans cooler — roughly 18–24°C — and sustained high twenties burn them quietly. Soft sand and a real group matter as much as the heater sticker.

Evidence: partially verified

Confidence: high

Each name below opens a pair check with Peppered Corydoras. That check is the decision, not the list itself.

← Full Peppered Corydoras profile·Compatibility checker·Tank builder·More catfish

Usually safer companions

Conservative shortlist from this profile. Open a pair page before you buy.

Guppy Pair check
The Peppered Corydoras profile lists Guppy as both safe and a recommended pairing. Guppy swims in the top zone while Peppered Corydoras stays in the bottom, so the two will not crowd the same water column.
Harlequin Rasbora Pair check
The Peppered Corydoras profile lists Harlequin Rasbora as both safe and a recommended pairing. Harlequin Rasbora schools in groups of 6 or more, so plan room for the whole group rather than one fish. Harlequin Rasbora swims in the middle zone while Peppered Corydoras stays in the bottom, so the two will not crowd the same water column.
Neon Tetra Pair check
The Peppered Corydoras profile lists Neon Tetra as both safe and a recommended pairing. Neon Tetra schools in groups of 6 or more, so plan room for the whole group rather than one fish. Neon Tetra swims in the middle zone while Peppered Corydoras stays in the bottom, so the two will not crowd the same water column.
Platy Pair check
The Peppered Corydoras profile lists Platy as both safe and a recommended pairing. Platy swims in the middle zone while Peppered Corydoras stays in the bottom, so the two will not crowd the same water column.

Risky or situational

May work with more water, a mature system, or a species-only setup. Read the pair page before you experiment.

Nothing extra listed beyond the safer list.

Fish to avoid with Peppered Corydoras

Predation, aggression, or space rules on this profile. Treat these as poor default mixes.

Green Terror See why (pair)
Green Terror reaches 30cm and is flagged predatory. Peppered Corydoras at 7cm is prey-sized for it. Green Terror needs at least 300L, far above the 80L minimum for Peppered Corydoras. The tank that houses one stresses the other. Green Terror is rated aggressive and Peppered Corydoras is rated peaceful. No community-style planning carries that gap.
Jack Dempsey See why (pair)
Jack Dempsey reaches 25cm and is flagged predatory. Peppered Corydoras at 7cm is prey-sized for it. Jack Dempsey needs at least 200L, far above the 80L minimum for Peppered Corydoras. The tank that houses one stresses the other. Jack Dempsey is rated aggressive and Peppered Corydoras is rated peaceful. No community-style planning carries that gap.
Oscar See why (pair)
Oscar reaches 35cm and is flagged predatory. Peppered Corydoras at 7cm is prey-sized for it. Oscar needs at least 300L, far above the 80L minimum for Peppered Corydoras. The tank that houses one stresses the other. Oscar is rated aggressive and Peppered Corydoras is rated peaceful. No community-style planning carries that gap.

Tank size and groups

Published minimum for Peppered Corydoras: 80L. Group minimum 5 (schooling).
Compatibility changes when the tank is too short for turning, too little for a real school, or too warm for one species and not the other. That is why pair checks include tank context, not only temperament.
Nearest litre hub to this minimum: 80L hub.

Plan before you buy

Start a pair check with Peppered Corydoras, or open a starter plan with the top safer companions in the builder.

Open pair checker Open this plan in builder

Tank hubs: 80L

Filtration & heating

A 80L minimum tank for Peppered Corydoras needs a filter rated for at least 320L/hr turnover and a heater maintaining 18–26°C.

Filter size guide →Heater size guide →Tank setup checklist →Beginner plants guide →

Related (care + temperament)