Blue Corydoras
Hoplisoma nattereri
The robust 'Corydoras Nattereri' (5.5 cm). Erroneously called "Blue Corydoras", it actually shows a massive dark longitudinal line on an olive-gray body with strong iridescence. It is particularly resistant to low temperatures and does not tolerate excessive heat.
Wassertemperatur
20 - 24 °C
pH-Wert
6 - 7.5
Wassertyp
Süßwasser
Tankfüllstand
Unten
Erwachsenengröße
5,5 cm
Mindesttankvolumen
>= 60 L
Mindestgruppe
>= 6
GH
2 - 15 dGH
KH
1 - 7 dKH
TDS
40 - 295 ppm
Leitfähigkeit
63 - 461 uS/cm
Artbeschreibung
Geographical Origin and Habitat: Coastal rivers of southeastern Brazil (States of Espirito Santo, Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo). Inhabits open rivers with cooler currents than the Amazonian average, rich in rounded rocks and sand.
Taxonomy and Morphology: Blue Corydoras (Hoplisoma nattereri). Species native to subtropical zones, tolerates lower temperatures (down to 20°C / 68°F) and is morphologically classic: torpedo body and well-developed barbels.
Social Behavior: Very calm and absolutely gregarious by nature. Lives only in schools of 6-8 individuals and up. Spends the day sifting and brushing every grain of sand.
Coloration and Sexual Dimorphism: Pale silvery/gray base color. A mighty black stripe stands out clearly (with iridescent green/blue edges depending on the light) running on the flank, crossing the whole body. Females disproportionately wider (more voluminous) than males.
Pflege, Zucht und Mitbewohner
Aquarium Setup: Minimum 80 cm (32 inches) aquarium, unheated if the room is between 20-22°C (68-72°F) (they loathe summers at 29°C (84°F), for which an aerator is needed). Sand bottom is a must. Recreate soft currents with a filter or a circulation pump.
Diet and Feeding: Bottom omnivore specialized in microinvertebrates. Accepts commercial wafers which should be regularly alternated with frozen bloodworms and brine shrimp.
Water Quality: Appreciates excellently oxygenated waters (cool currents). High nitrates are the number one enemy; a putrefying bottom will poison the fish via unstoppable bacteriosis.
Compatibility and Cohabitation: Exceptional for "cold" communities (not suitable for Discus tanks). Excellent with small Gymnocorymbus (Black Skirt Tetra), Gymnogeophagus (subtropical cichlids) and cold water Loricariids.
Aquarium Breeding: Classic corydoras reproduction, abundantly stimulated by a drastic thermal drop (monsoon simulation). Remove the eggs, very adhesive and laid on the glass, before the parents eat them.
Risks and Diseases: Extremely susceptible to heat: if the temperature exceeds 27°C (80°F), the metabolism goes crazy and the fish waste away quickly due to a lack of oxygen on the bottom.
Geografische Herkunft und Verbreitung
Coastal rivers of southeastern Brazil (States of Espirito Santo, Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo). Inhabits open rivers with cooler currents than the Amazonian average, rich in rounded rocks and sand.
Ursprung
Amazonas, Orinoco und Guayana
Fischprofil
- Temperament
- Semi-aggressive
- These catfish are incredibly docile, peaceful, and non-aggressive, making Hoplisoma nattereri perfect community tank residents. They are somewhat shy by nature and heavily rely on the presence of a school to feel secure and display their natural behaviors. Providing plenty of hiding spots such as caves, driftwood, and dense vegetation will make them feel more comfortable. They never bother other fish and often completely ignore species occupying the middle and upper levels of the tank.
- Diät
- Omnivore
- Hoplisoma nattereri is an omnivorous bottom feeder that constantly scavenges for food in the substrate. Their diet should be primarily composed of high-quality sinking pellets or wafers specifically formulated for bottom dwellers. To ensure optimal health and coloration, supplement their dry food with live or frozen foods such as bloodworms, daphnia, and brine shrimp. They will also eat uneaten food that falls from the surface, though they should not be treated merely as a clean-up crew.
- Lebenserwartung
- 5-8 years
- Erwachsenengröße
- 5.5 cm
- Geschlechterverhältnis
- School
- While sexing them can be challenging, a ratio of two or three males per female is generally recommended for breeding Hoplisoma nattereri. Females are noticeably rounder and broader, especially when viewed from above, and tend to grow slightly larger. Males appear more slender and streamlined in comparison. Keeping them in a mixed-sex school naturally accommodates these ratios without requiring precise selection by the aquarist.
- Fütterungsfrequenz
- Twice daily
- These active scavengers should be fed one to two times daily to ensure they receive adequate nutrition. It is important to offer Hoplisoma nattereri only as much food as they can consume within a few minutes to prevent water quality issues. Since they are somewhat nocturnal by nature, feeding them once right before the aquarium lights turn off can be very beneficial. Monitoring their feeding is essential, especially in community tanks where faster mid-water fish might outcompete them for food.
- Bioload
- Low to Medium
- Hoplisoma nattereri has a relatively small bioload compared to larger aquarium fish. Due to their compact size, they produce a manageable amount of waste that standard filtration can easily process. However, because they must be kept in groups of at least six, the cumulative bioload should be considered when stocking. Regular water changes and good mechanical filtration are still necessary to keep the substrate clean where they dwell.
- Fluss
- Stagnant
- In the wild, Hoplisoma nattereri typically inhabits slow to moderately flowing streams and tributaries. They appreciate some gentle water movement in the aquarium, which helps keep the water well-oxygenated. However, excessive current or strong powerheads should be avoided as it can exhaust them over time. A standard sponge filter or a hang-on-back filter with baffled flow usually provides the ideal water dynamics for this species.
- Sprungrisiko
- Yes
- The jump risk for Hoplisoma nattereri is generally considered to be quite low. They are obligate bottom dwellers that spend the vast majority of their time sifting through the substrate. Occasionally, they will make quick darts to the surface to gulp atmospheric air, which is a completely normal behavior for this genus. Despite the low risk, it is still recommended to keep a well-fitting lid on the aquarium to prevent any accidental escapes during these upward dashes.
- Reproduktion
- Oviparous
- Breeding Hoplisoma nattereri in captivity is achievable but requires specific conditions to trigger spawning. A common trigger involves performing a large, slightly cooler water change to simulate the onset of the rainy season in their natural habitat. Females will lay adhesive eggs on broad-leaved plants, aquarium glass, or other flat surfaces. Once spawning is complete, the adult fish should be removed or the eggs transferred, as they may exhibit egg-eating behavior.
- Kompatibilität & Tankkameraden
- Peaceful
- This species is highly peaceful and makes an excellent addition to community aquariums. Hoplisoma nattereri gets along perfectly with small tetras, rasboras, dwarf cichlids, and peaceful livebearers. It is crucial to avoid housing them with large, aggressive, or predatory fish that could bully them or attempt to eat them. As a schooling fish, they find safety and comfort in numbers of their own kind or similar Corydoras species.
- Tankfüllstand
- Bottom
- As classic bottom dwellers, Hoplisoma nattereri occupies the lowest levels of the aquarium. They spend their days tirelessly exploring the substrate in search of morsels of food using their sensitive barbels. It is absolutely essential to provide a soft, sandy substrate to prevent damage to their delicate sensory barbels. Although they mostly remain at the bottom, they will occasionally dart to the water surface to swallow a bubble of air for intestinal respiration.
Wissenschaftliche Modelle & Parameter
FishBase
Zugang zu den offiziellen wissenschaftlichen Daten der Art
FishBase v25.04Daten synchronisiert am: 15.06.2026
- Trophäenniveau
- 3 ± 0,4 se
- Belastbarkeit
- Hoch (weniger als 15 Monate)
- Phylogenetische Einzigartigkeit (PD50)
- 0.5
- Bayessche Längen-Gewichts-Beziehung
- a = 0.01778, b = 3.02
- AnfälligkeitGeringe Anfälligkeit (10 / 100)
Verwandte Arten
Empfehlungen gruppiert nach nahen Verwandten, Auswahl von Begleitern und ähnlicher Betreuung.
