Eau douceFacile
Hoplisoma sipaliwini — Sipaliwini Cory

Sipaliwini Cory

Hoplisoma sipaliwini

Small and fascinating endemic of southern Suriname. Light body finely dotted on the head, but with a large and sharp dark lozenge-shaped spot on the base of the caudal peduncle.

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 cm

Volume minimal du bac

>= 80 L

Groupe minimal

>= 6

GH

2 - 15 dGH

KH

2 - 10 dKH

TDS

50 - 325 ppm

Conductivité

78 - 508 uS/cm

Description de l'espèce

Geographical Origin and Habitat: Endemic to the Sipaliwini River, in Suriname (Corantijn River basin). Inhabits medium-slow flowing rivers, resting in marginal areas shaded by vegetation or rocks in mixed sand and fine gravel bottoms.
Taxonomy and Morphology: Sipaliwini Corydoras (Hoplisoma sipaliwini). Robust and short-snouted Corydoras, aesthetically very similar to C. bondi. Provided with very prominent bony scutes and short but extremely sensitive barbels.
Social Behavior: Gregarious, peaceful, and very active. Foraging occurs in groups, tirelessly sifting the surface layer of the sand. Must be kept in a colony of at least 6-8 specimens to avoid stress and apathy.
Coloration and Sexual Dimorphism: Gray/silver background color with a conspicuous dark bar-shaped spot on the dorsal fin and a series of small speckles along the body that sometimes form a pale lateral line. Adult females wider.

Soins, reproduction et cohabitation

Aquarium Setup: Minimum 80 cm (32 inches) tank. Exclusively requires impalpable sand bottom. To recreate its habitat in Suriname, provide large smooth pebbles, some tough aquatic plants (Anubias), and submerged roots to create shelter.
Diet and Feeding: Bottom omnivore. Not competing well with voracious surface fish, it should be fed at strategic times with bloodworms, daphnia, sinking brine shrimp, and balanced nutrient-rich tablets.
Water Quality: Tolerant and adaptable, but prefers clear, highly oxygenated waters with slight movement. Maintain stable values between pH 6.0 and 7.5 and GH up to 15, strictly avoiding the accumulation of organic detritus.
Compatibility and Cohabitation: Ideal companion for almost all peaceful South American fish. House with Characins swimming in mid-water, quiet dwarf Cichlids (Mikrogeophagus), and small catfish that do not aggressively compete for territory.
Aquarium Breeding: Substrate spawner. Lays large adhesive eggs usually on the glass near the pump flow or under broad leaves, stimulated by massive changes with colder water.
Risks and Diseases: Bacterial infections of the barbels are guaranteed if kept on inadequate substrates such as crushed or ceramic quartz. Extremely sensitive to the presence of ammonia or heavy chemical drugs in the water.

Origine et répartition géographiques

Endemic to the Sipaliwini River, in Suriname (Corantijn River basin). Inhabits medium-slow flowing rivers, resting in marginal areas shaded by vegetation or rocks in mixed sand and fine gravel bottoms.

Origine

Océans tropicaux et récifsAmazonie, Orénoque et GuyanesAsie de l'Est

Profil de poisson

Tempérament
Semi-aggressive
The temperament of Hoplisoma sipaliwini 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 sipaliwini 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
5-8 years
Taille adulte
5 cm
Ratio des sexes
Specific M:F ratio
A specific sex ratio is unnecessary for the general community keeping of Hoplisoma sipaliwini. 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 sipaliwini 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 sipaliwini 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
Stagnant
Hoplisoma sipaliwini 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
Yes
The jump risk for Hoplisoma sipaliwini is very low compared to surface-dwelling fish. However, their unique respiratory system causes occasional rapid surface darting. A secure aquarium lid is highly recommended to prevent accidental escapes.
Reproduction
Oviparous
Breeding Hoplisoma sipaliwini 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
Semi-aggressive
In terms of compatibility, Hoplisoma sipaliwini 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 sipaliwini 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)