Smudge Spot Cory
Hoplisoma simile
An elegant Corydoras with a cream-pink body and a large smudged black spot on the caudal fin — like an expanding ink drop. High dorsal fin with orange in males. Reaches 5–6 cm. Often confused with C. adolfoi for the dorsal spot, but position and shape differ. Peaceful and gregarious like all Corydoras, it loves tanks with sandy substrate and plenty of vegetation.
Température de l’eau
22 - 26 °C
Valeur du pH
6 - 7.5
Type d'eau
Eau douce
Niveau dans le bac
Fond
Taille adulte
5,5 cm
Volume minimal du bac
>= 60 L
Groupe minimal
>= 6
GH
2 - 15 dGH
KH
1 - 7 dKH
TDS
40 - 295 ppm
Conductivité
63 - 461 uS/cm
Description de l'espèce
Geographical Origin and Habitat: Madeira River in Brazil. Gathers in thick schools in small secondary tributary watercourses, often in the shade of the dense Amazon forest and on clean sandy beds.
Taxonomy and Morphology: Smudge Spot Corydoras (Hoplisoma simile). The Latin name "similis" was given to it due to its marked juvenile resemblance to C. caudimaculatus (from which it differs in adulthood).
Social Behavior: Hyper-gregarious and extremely sociable fish. Groups of less than 6 units waste away. Constantly moves on the bottom, probing it with its mouth apparatus in search of invertebrates.
Coloration and Sexual Dimorphism: Sophisticated and fascinating coloration: a dense spotted reticulation covers the entire light purplish-gray body. The unmistakable feature is the intense dark purplish "smudged" spot on the caudal peduncle, without sharp edges.
Soins, reproduction et cohabitation
Aquarium Setup: Ideal from 60 cm (24 inches) in length. Essential the use of impalpable sand or extremely rounded quartz. The use of amber water (Tannins) via peat or leaves on the bottom is recommended.
Diet and Feeding: Insatiable micro-predator. Will appreciate tablets based on crustaceans and protein meals, but requires regular evening administrations of frozen bloodworms, tubifex or daphnia.
Water Quality: Very resistant if exempt from the presence of high nitrates, which inexorably intoxicate armored fish. Make sure to occasionally siphon the uncovered areas of sand.
Compatibility and Cohabitation: Magnificent tankmate for South American community tanks (e.g. with Lemon Tetras, Pristella, Rasboras or Apistogramma cacatuoides). Totally unaware of who swims in the upper layers.
Aquarium Breeding: Moderately easy. A drastic downward temperature variation will act as a biological trigger for egg-laden females, followed by T-fertilization by trailing males.
Risks and Diseases: Mechanical abrasion of the barbels causes an irreversible impediment to feeding. Fears medicines based on copper and malachite green if used at full dosage.
Origine et répartition géographiques
Madeira River in Brazil. Gathers in thick schools in small secondary tributary watercourses, often in the shade of the dense Amazon forest and on clean sandy beds.
Origine
Amazonie, Orénoque et GuyanesAsie de l'Est
Profil de poisson
- Tempérament
- Peaceful
- The temperament of Hoplisoma simile is exceptionally peaceful and highly social in nature. They must be kept in groups of at least six individuals to thrive. In proper schools, they are confident and constantly active across the bottom.
- Régime alimentaire
- Omnivore
- The diet of Hoplisoma simile primarily features benthic organisms and small detritus. In captivity, they eagerly eat sinking pellets and high-quality bottom-feeder wafers. Live foods like bloodworms and daphnia should be offered for optimal health.
- Espérance de vie
- 5-7 years
- Taille adulte
- 5.5 cm
- Ratio des sexes
- Group
- A specific sex ratio is unnecessary for the general community keeping of Hoplisoma simile. For dedicated breeding, a ratio of two males per female is optimal. Females are visibly rounder and broader, while males are slender.
- Fréquence d'alimentation
- Twice daily
- It is recommended to feed Hoplisoma simile one or two times daily in moderate portions. Ensure the food reaches the substrate before mid-water fish consume it all. Feeding just before lights out helps them forage peacefully without stress.
- Charge biologique
- Low
- The bioload of Hoplisoma simile is relatively low compared to larger tank mates. Since they are schooling fish, their combined waste can accumulate over time. Consistent filtration and weekly water changes are necessary for maintaining clean water.
- Courant
- Strong
- Hoplisoma simile prefers a moderate water flow that replicates gentle Amazonian streams. This circulation thoroughly oxygenates the water and prevents detritus accumulation. Calm resting zones should also be provided for relaxation.
- Risque de saut
- No
- Reproduction
- Oviparous
- Breeding Hoplisoma simile in an aquarium is highly achievable with proper conditioning. Spawning is typically triggered by a large, slightly cooler water change. The female then deposits adhesive eggs on aquarium glass or broad plant leaves.
- Compatibilité et compagnons
- Peaceful
- In terms of compatibility, Hoplisoma simile is extremely peaceful and ideal for community setups. They coexist perfectly with small tetras, rasboras, and dwarf cichlids. Large, aggressive bottom-dwellers must be avoided to prevent undue competition.
- Niveau dans le bac
- Bottom
- As obligate bottom-dwellers, Hoplisoma simile spends the vast majority of its time on the substrate. They constantly search for food by sifting fine sand with their sensitive barbels. They occasionally dart to the surface to gulp atmospheric air.
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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