Adolfo's cory
Hoplisoma adolfoi
Among the most elegant and sought-after Corydoras: a golden-orange patch on the nape and a black band along the dorsal ridge distinguish it from most congeners. Native to the dark, tannic waters of Brazil's Rio Negro basin, it requires soft, acidic water to show the best of its livery. Like all Corydoras, it is an armored, scaleless fish that breathes atmospheric air — surfacing for a gulp of air is perfectly normal. Gregarious to the core: a school of 5+ specimens sifting the sandy bottom in sync is a mesmerizing spectacle.
Température de l’eau
22 - 26 °C
Valeur du pH
5.5 - 7
Type d'eau
Eau douce
Niveau dans le bac
Fond
Taille adulte
6 cm
Volume minimal du bac
>= 60 L
Groupe minimal
>= 5
GH
1 - 10 dGH
KH
1 - 5 dKH
TDS
25 - 200 ppm
Conductivité
39 - 313 uS/cm
Description de l'espèce
Geographical Origin and Habitat: Endemic to the upper Rio Negro basin and its tributaries in Brazil. Populates rivers of very pure blackwaters, strongly acidic and colored by tannins, with a very white sand bottom and intricate branches.
Taxonomy and Morphology: Adolfo's Cory (Hoplisoma adolfoi). Short-snouted Corydoras, very similar to Corydoras duplicareus (from which it differs by the thickness of the black band and the serration of the pectoral spines).
Social Behavior: Extremely peaceful and playful. Must live in groups of at least 6-8 individuals. They often rest stacked on top of each other on the broad leaves of Echinodorus or Anubias.
Coloration and Sexual Dimorphism: Unmistakable and highly sought-after livery: ivory white/pinkish beige body. A sharp black mask covers the eye, while a thick black stripe runs along the back. A bright neon orange spot stands out on the nape.
Soins, reproduction et cohabitation
Aquarium Setup: Needs very fine sand. Being a shy fish native to dark waters, strong light will terrify it: use floating plants, peat and lots of wood. Minimum tank size 80 cm (32 inches).
Diet and Feeding: Omnivorous micro-predator. High quality bottom granules, frozen bloodworms, tubifex and brine shrimp. It is essential not to overload the bottom with putrefying food to avoid bacterial infections to the delicate barbels.
Water Quality: More demanding than other Corydoras: the black waters of the Rio Negro are sterile and bacteria-free. It is vital to keep nitrates at 0-10 ppm with frequent water changes and ensure soft and acidic water (pH < 7.0).
Compatibility and Cohabitation: Perfect tankmate for Rio Negro biotopes: fantastic with Discus (if the temperature is not extreme), Cardinals, Nannostomus and small dwarf cichlids. Botias are absolutely forbidden as they would torture them.
Aquarium Breeding: Requires the "monsoon simulation" technique (large cold water change). The female will attach up to 30 huge (compared to other corys) sticky eggs on the glass or under leaves in the range of the filter current.
Risks and Diseases: Corrosion of the barbels due to unsuitable bottoms (gravel). They are known to release a powerful toxin into the water if stressed to death (e.g. if poorly bagged for shipping), poisoning themselves and their companions.
Origine et répartition géographiques
Endemic to the upper Rio Negro basin and its tributaries in Brazil. Populates rivers of very pure blackwaters, strongly acidic and colored by tannins, with a very white sand bottom and intricate branches.
Origine
Océans tropicaux et récifsAmazonie, Orénoque et Guyanes
Profil de poisson
- Tempérament
- Peaceful
- Hoplisoma adolfoi are peaceful, social schooling fish that thrive when kept in groups. Keeping them in numbers of at least six individuals greatly reduces their stress and promotes natural behaviors. They are completely harmless to plants and other tank inhabitants.
- Régime alimentaire
- Omnivore
- These are omnivorous bottom feeders that require a varied diet to thrive. Their meals should include high-quality sinking pellets, wafers, and live or frozen foods like bloodworms. A balanced diet ensures proper growth and vibrant coloration for Hoplisoma adolfoi.
- Espérance de vie
- 5-10 years
- Taille adulte
- 6 cm
- Ratio des sexes
- Specific M:F ratio
- Maintaining a ratio of two or three males for every female is ideal for breeding purposes. This ratio encourages natural spawning behaviors and increases the chances of successful fertilization. In non-breeding community tanks, the exact ratio for Hoplisoma adolfoi is less critical.
- Fréquence d'alimentation
- Twice daily
- They should be fed small amounts once or twice a day. It is important to provide only what Hoplisoma adolfoi can consume within a few minutes to prevent water fouling. Occasional fasting days can also be beneficial for their digestive health.
- Charge biologique
- Low
- The Hoplisoma adolfoi has a relatively low bioload compared to many other species of similar size. They are efficient scavengers that help keep the substrate clean, which slightly offsets their waste production. However, adequate biological and mechanical filtration is still necessary to maintain optimal water quality in the aquarium.
- Courant
- Moderate
- They prefer moderate water movement that simulates their natural riverine habitats. A gentle current provides necessary oxygenation without exhausting the fish. Avoid overly strong flow that could sweep Hoplisoma adolfoi away or cause stress.
- Risque de saut
- No
- Reproduction
- Oviparous
- Breeding Hoplisoma adolfoi in captivity is possible but requires specific water conditions and conditioning. They are egg layers that typically deposit their adhesive eggs on broad leaves or the aquarium glass. Parents may eat the eggs, so it is often best to raise the fry in a separate tank.
- Compatibilité et compagnons
- Community
- They are incredibly peaceful and make excellent additions to community aquariums. Hoplisoma adolfoi gets along well with most other peaceful, similarly sized fish. Aggressive or large tank mates should be avoided as they may intimidate or harm them.
- Niveau dans le bac
- Bottom
- They are obligate bottom dwellers that spend the majority of their time on the substrate. Hoplisoma adolfoi constantly rummage through sand or smooth gravel in search of food. Very rarely will they be seen swimming in the middle or upper levels of the water column.
Modèles et paramètres scientifiques
FishBase
Fenêtre sur les données scientifiques officielles de l’espèce
FishBase v25.04Données synchronisées le : 15/06/2026
- Niveau trophique
- 3 ± 0,4 se
- Résilience
- Élevée (moins de 15 mois)
- Singularité phylogénétique (PD50)
- 0.5
- Relation bayésienne longueur-poids
- a = 0.00741, b = 3.14
- VulnérabilitéVulnérabilité faible (10 / 100)
Galerie d'images
Images sous licence liées à l'espèce ou, lorsqu'elles sont indiquées, au taxon représentatif le plus proche.
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