Salt and pepper cory
Hoplisoma habrosum
Salt and pepper cory (Hoplisoma habrosum) is a freshwater species with an adult-size reference of about 3.5 cm. It needs at least 40 litres and 8 individuals, with its social and territorial profile taken into account.
Temperatura da água
21 - 25 °C
Valor de pH
6 - 7.5
Tipo de água
Água doce
Nível do tanque
Parte inferior
Tamanho adulto
3,5 cm
Volume mínimo do tanque
>= 40 L
Grupo mínimo
>= 8
GH
2 - 12 dGH
KH
0 - 27 dKH
TDS
30 - 450 ppm
Condutividade
47 - 703 uS/cm
Descrição da espécie
Geographical Origin and Habitat: A freshwater species; the enclosure should provide stability, oxygenation, space and shelter consistent with its behaviour without turning one habitat description into a mandatory recipe.
Taxonomy and Morphology: The accepted scientific name is Hoplisoma habrosum; the verified classification records genus Hoplisoma, family Callichthyidae, subfamily Corydoradinae, order Siluriformes. Historical names remain searchable as synonyms rather than separate species.
Social Behavior: Salt and pepper cory is social and should be kept in a group. The minimum reference is 8 individuals; sex, maturity and available space can require a more conservative composition. Observe access to food, resting behaviour, chasing and use of shelter. Isolation, persistent competition or aggression means the number, composition or environment needs to be corrected.
Coloration and Sexual Dimorphism: Colour and shape can vary with age, sex, physiological state and environmental conditions. Identification and sexing require recognized species-level characters; one appearance or photograph is not enough.
Cuidado, criação e companheiros de tanque
Aquarium Setup: Salt and pepper cory needs an aquarium of at least 40 litres, sized for adult body size and a minimum group of 8 individuals. Filtration, shelter and swimming room must match the species and the actual number kept. Volume alone does not make an enclosure suitable: tank shape and length, usable area, oxygenation and the ability to separate territories must reflect adult behaviour.
Diet and Feeding: The recorded diet is omnivorous. Offer appropriately sized foods varied within that category, and adjust quantity and frequency from actual intake, body condition and leftovers. One food or a fixed schedule is not suitable for every age and situation.
Water Quality: Maintain stable, well-oxygenated water appropriate to a freshwater species; the card's reference values are 21–25 °C, pH 6–7.5. Verify conditions with reliable tests and size maintenance and filtration to the actual load. Ranges are not automatic thresholds for treatment or rapid chemical correction.
Compatibility and Cohabitation: The cohabitation profile is suitable for a compatible community, with a generally peaceful temperament. Keep at least 8 individuals; tankmates, stocking density and decor must allow escape, rest and feeding without excessive competition. Watch interactions especially during feeding, maturity and breeding. Persistent chasing, injury or exclusion from food requires a change in stocking or layout, or separation of the animals.
Aquarium Breeding: The recorded reproductive profile is “oviparity”. Breeding should be attempted only with healthy adults, separation capacity and a plan for eggs or young. Do not treat unverified triggers, sex ratios or hatch times as universal for this species.
Risks and Diseases: Prevent problems through quarantine of new arrivals, stable water, appropriate feeding and daily observation. Similar signs can have different causes, so check parameters, history and diagnosis before medication. Follow the product label and qualified aquatic-veterinary advice; there is no universal reduced dose for a species or family.
Origem e distribuição geográfica
A freshwater species; the enclosure should provide stability, oxygenation, space and shelter consistent with its behaviour without turning one habitat description into a mandatory recipe.
Origem
Extra-Amazônica América do Sul
Perfil de peixe
- Temperamento
- Peaceful
- Salt and pepper cory has a generally peaceful temperament. Insufficient space, an unsuitable social ratio or incompatible tankmates can substantially change observed behaviour.
- Dieta
- Omnivore
- In the wild, Hoplisoma habrosum is a micro-predator and scavenger, feeding on tiny worms, crustaceans, and plant matter. In the home aquarium, they readily accept a wide variety of sinking foods such as high-quality pellets, wafers, and granules. It is essential to supplement their diet with live or frozen foods like bloodworms, Daphnia, and brine shrimp to ensure optimal health and coloration. Because they are bottom feeders, you must ensure that enough food reaches the substrate before being consumed by mid-water fish. A varied diet prevents nutritional deficiencies and promotes a robust immune system.
- Expectativa de vida
- 3-5 years
- Tamanho adulto
- 3.5 cm
- Proporção sexual
- Group
- Salt and pepper cory is social and should be kept in a group. The reference minimum is 8 individuals and must not be read as permission to overcrowd the aquarium.
- Frequência de alimentação
- Twice daily
- It is highly recommended to feed Hoplisoma habrosum small portions one to two times a day. They have relatively small stomachs, so multiple small meals are much better than a single large one. Observe their feeding behavior carefully; all offered food should be consumed within roughly two to three minutes. If there is uneaten food left on the substrate, reduce the portion size during the next feeding. Foraging is a natural behavior, so spreading the food slightly can encourage natural scavenging activity.
- Carga biológica
- Low
- The bioload of Hoplisoma habrosum is generally considered to be quite low compared to larger freshwater fish. They are small, efficient scavengers that do not produce excessive amounts of waste in the aquarium. However, because they must be kept in groups of at least six, the cumulative bioload should be factored into your filtration capacity. Regular water changes and good mechanical filtration are still necessary to maintain optimal water quality. Overfeeding can quickly spike ammonia, so moderation is key.
- Fluxo
- Strong
- As a species that often inhabits slow-moving to moderately flowing streams in South America, Hoplisoma habrosum appreciates gentle to moderate water circulation. They do not fare well in highly turbulent environments where they must constantly struggle against strong currents. Providing areas of calmer water, especially near the bottom where they spend most of their time, is important for their rest. The filter return should provide adequate oxygenation without turning the tank into a whirlpool. Natural river stones and driftwood can be used to break the flow and create comfortable resting zones.
- Risco de salto
- No
- Reprodução
- Oviparous
- Breeding Hoplisoma habrosum in captivity is entirely possible but requires some dedicated preparation and conditioning. They are egg scatterers, typically laying their adhesive eggs on broad plant leaves, aquarium glass, or smooth stones after a lively courtship display. To trigger spawning, aquarists often perform a large, slightly cooler water change to simulate the onset of the rainy season in their natural habitat. Once eggs are laid, the parents may eat them, so it is often necessary to remove the eggs or the adult fish to a separate rearing tank. The fry are quite small and require infusoria or finely powdered foods before graduating to freshly hatched brine shrimp.
- Compatibilidade e companheiros de tanque
- Community
- The cohabitation profile is suitable for a compatible community, with a generally peaceful temperament. Keep at least 8 individuals; tankmates, stocking density and decor must allow escape, rest and feeding without excessive competition. Watch interactions especially during feeding, maturity and breeding. Persistent chasing, injury or exclusion from food requires a change in stocking or layout, or separation of the animals.
- Nível do tanque
- Bottom
- Like the vast majority of its relatives, Hoplisoma habrosum is a dedicated bottom-dwelling fish that spends most of its time resting or foraging on the substrate. They use their sensitive barbels to constantly sift through sand or fine gravel in search of edible morsels. Providing a soft, sandy substrate is crucial to prevent their delicate barbels from wearing down or becoming infected. While they do occasionally dart to the water surface to gulp air, they will immediately return to the lower levels of the tank. Ensure there is plenty of open swimming space along the bottom alongside shaded resting areas under plants or driftwood.
Modelos e parâmetros científicos
FishBase
Acesso aos dados científicos oficiais da espécie
FishBase v25.04Dados sincronizados em: 15/06/2026
- Nível trófico
- 3 ± 0,4 se
- Resiliência
- Alta (menos de 15 meses)
- Unicidade filogenética (PD50)
- 0.5
- Relação bayesiana comprimento-peso
- a = 0.00741, b = 3.14
- VulnerabilidadeVulnerabilidade baixa (10 / 100)
Galeria de imagens
Imagens licenciadas vinculadas à espécie ou, quando marcadas, ao táxon representativo mais próximo.
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