False Bandit Cory
Hoplisoma melini
The 'False Bandit Cory' (5 cm). Elegant South American bottom dweller characterized by a golden livery crossed by a black mask over the eyes and an oblique black band on the back. Peaceful, needs sand and acidic water.
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
5 cm
Volume minimal du bac
>= 60 L
Groupe minimal
>= 6
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: Tributaries of the Vaupés River (Colombia, Brazil). Populations of C. melini inhabit shaded streams in forest areas featuring soft, acidic waters (blackwater) and muddy bottoms loaded with tannins.
Taxonomy and Morphology: Bandit Corydoras (Hoplisoma melini). Apparently very similar to C. metae, but distinguished from it because the black band crosses the body diagonally, reaching the LOWER part of the caudal peduncle.
Social Behavior: Very gregarious species. Becomes incredibly shy and susceptible if kept in small numbers. The ideal group should have 6-8 specimens, guaranteeing fascinating schooling dynamics.
Coloration and Sexual Dimorphism: Sand-gray body, clear black "bandit" mask over the eye. The key element is the thick oblique black stripe that starts from the dorsal and goes down towards the tail. Females are noticeably more robust than males.
Soins, reproduction et cohabitation
Aquarium Setup: A mature tank is fundamental. The substrate must imperatively be non-calcareous fine sand. A setup with dim lights, floaters and lots of roots and wood faithfully reflects the habitat.
Diet and Feeding: Benthic micro-predators. Absolutely omnivorous: they feed by extracting tiny invertebrates from the sand. Feed with enriched bottom tablets and plenty of bloodworms, tubifex or brine shrimp.
Water Quality: Specifically requires soft (low GH) and acidic water, unlike the more commercial corydoras species which are not picky. Nitrates must remain as close to zero as possible.
Compatibility and Cohabitation: Perfect with soft, acidic water fish such as Cardinal Tetras, Nannostomus, Carnegiella strigata and Dwarf Cichlids (Mikrogeophagus ramirezi). Big or nervous tankmates are not recommended.
Aquarium Breeding: Triggered by a drastic drop in temperature (changes of 30-40% with cold water). The parents, typical of Corydoras, will devour the sticky eggs and should be removed after spawning.
Risks and Diseases: Species sensitive to barbel wear (leading to starvation) and acute handling stress, which can cause the release of toxins.
Origine et répartition géographiques
Tributaries of the Vaupés River (Colombia, Brazil). Populations of C. melini inhabit shaded streams in forest areas featuring soft, acidic waters (blackwater) and muddy bottoms loaded with tannins.
Origine
Amazonie, Orénoque et GuyanesAsie de l'Est
Profil de poisson
- Tempérament
- Semi-aggressive
- These catfish are incredibly docile, peaceful, and non-aggressive, making Hoplisoma melini 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.
- Régime alimentaire
- Omnivore
- Hoplisoma melini 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.
- Espérance de vie
- 5-7 years
- Taille adulte
- 5 cm
- Ratio des sexes
- School
- While sexing them can be challenging, a ratio of two or three males per female is generally recommended for breeding Hoplisoma melini. 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.
- Fréquence d'alimentation
- 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 melini 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.
- Charge biologique
- Low
- Hoplisoma melini 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.
- Courant
- Stagnant
- In the wild, Hoplisoma melini 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.
- Risque de saut
- Yes
- The jump risk for Hoplisoma melini 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.
- Reproduction
- Oviparous
- Breeding Hoplisoma melini 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.
- Compatibilité et compagnons
- Peaceful
- This species is highly peaceful and makes an excellent addition to community aquariums. Hoplisoma melini 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.
- Niveau dans le bac
- Bottom
- As classic bottom dwellers, Hoplisoma melini 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.
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)
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