Blue Spotted Corydoras / Guianacara
Hoplisoma melanistium
An imposing and solid spotted Corydoras from the Guianas. Similar to Leucomelas but more massive, it stands out with its pearl gray body densely flooded with thick black polka dots, the mask, and the prominent dorsal saddle.
Temperatura da água
22 - 26 °C
Valor de pH
6 - 7.2
Tipo de água
Água doce
Nível do tanque
Parte inferior
Tamanho adulto
5,5 cm
Volume mínimo do tanque
>= 60 L
Grupo mínimo
>= 6
GH
2 - 15 dGH
KH
1 - 7 dKH
TDS
40 - 295 ppm
Condutividade
63 - 461 uS/cm
Descrição da espécie
Geographical Origin and Habitat: Northern South America, including the coastal basins of Guyana, Suriname and French Guiana. Inhabits small clear woodland streams and shady oxbow lakes with abundant plant material on the bottom.
Taxonomy and Morphology: Black-Spotted Corydoras (Hoplisoma melanistium). Very similar to C. brevirostris, from which it is distinguished by the pattern of black spots and the shape of the dorsal spot.
Social Behavior: Peaceful, but often a little more skittish than other popular Corydoras (e.g. aeneus). Feels safe only if kept in large groups (minimum 6-8 specimens) in tanks full of shelters.
Coloration and Sexual Dimorphism: Light livery heavily spotted with black. Distinguishing features are the deep black facial mask and the intense black band covering most of the dorsal fin and going down to the back. Females noticeably wider.
Cuidado, criação e companheiros de tanque
Aquarium Setup: A bottom of soft sand only is necessary. Twisted roots (e.g. Red Moor) covered with moss and dry leaves on the bottom (oak, chestnut) create the vital hiding places to limit its stress.
Diet and Feeding: Omnivorous digger. Its diet in nature is based on insects and worms hidden in the sand. In the aquarium provide sinking feeds, live/frozen tubifex and brine shrimp.
Water Quality: Prefers soft to moderately hard, well-oxygenated waters. Suffers immediately from high nitrates; frequent water changes are recommended.
Compatibility and Cohabitation: Perfect for quiet communities of small South American fish such as Characins (Neons, pristella), hatchetfish (Carnegiella) and Apistogramma, paying attention to the territories on the bottom.
Aquarium Breeding: Breeding in captivity possible but not frequent. The adhesive eggs are attached to broad leaves or directly to the glass, usually where there is the most water current.
Risks and Diseases: Secondary fungal infections caused by the excoriation of the barbels on unsuitable bottoms or sharp siliceous crushed stone.
Origem e distribuição geográfica
Northern South America, including the coastal basins of Guyana, Suriname and French Guiana. Inhabits small clear woodland streams and shady oxbow lakes with abundant plant material on the bottom.
Origem
Oceanos tropicais e recifesAmazônia, Orinoco e Guianas
Perfil de peixe
- Temperamento
- Semi-aggressive
- Exhibiting an inherently peaceful and gregarious temperament, *Hoplisoma melanistium* is completely non-aggressive toward its tank mates. They are highly social creatures that find security in numbers, making them playful and active when kept in a sufficient shoal. A lone individual will often become stressed, reclusive, and susceptible to disease. Their amiable disposition makes them one of the most endearing and universally beloved additions to any freshwater community setup.
- Dieta
- Omnivore
- In the wild, they are omnivorous bottom feeders that forage for small insects, worms, crustaceans, and plant matter. In the home aquarium, they readily accept a wide variety of high-quality sinking pellets, wafers, and granules. It is highly recommended to supplement their diet with regular offerings of live or frozen foods such as bloodworms, daphnia, and brine shrimp to ensure optimal health and condition. Care should be taken to ensure that food reaches the bottom before being consumed by mid-water swimming fish.
- Expectativa de vida
- 5-7 years
- Tamanho adulto
- 5.5 cm
- Proporção sexual
- Group
- For general display purposes, the sex ratio is relatively unimportant as long as they are kept in a suitably sized group of at least six individuals. However, for those aiming to breed them, a ratio of two to three males for every single female often yields the best results. The increased number of males encourages competitive courtship and ensures higher fertilization rates during spawning. Identifying the sexes becomes easier as they mature, with females typically appearing significantly broader and rounder than the sleeker males.
- Frequência de alimentação
- Twice daily
- To maintain their energy levels and overall health, *Hoplisoma melanistium* should be fed small amounts one to two times per day. It is important to only offer what they can completely consume within about three to five minutes to prevent water fouling. Overfeeding can lead to poor water quality and subsequent health issues, especially considering their bottom-dwelling nature. Observing their feeding behavior during meals can help adjust the portions to meet their specific metabolic needs.
- Carga biológica
- Low
- As a small benthic catfish, *Hoplisoma melanistium* contributes a relatively low bioload to the aquarium ecosystem. They are efficient scavengers that help break down uneaten food, which slightly mitigates their own waste production. However, because they must be kept in groups of at least six, the cumulative bioload of the shoal should be factored into your filtration capacity. Regular water changes and good mechanical filtration are still necessary to maintain optimal water quality and prevent the accumulation of nitrates on the substrate.
- Fluxo
- Stagnant
- They naturally inhabit sluggish tributaries, floodplains, and pools with relatively gentle water movement. In the aquarium, they appreciate a moderate flow that provides good oxygenation without creating overwhelming currents. Harsh, direct water flow should be avoided as it can cause exhaustion and stress for these small fish. Providing areas of calmer water behind hardscape or plants allows them comfortable resting spots.
- Risco de salto
- Yes
- While not generally known as prolific jumpers, they do possess the ability to leap out of the water if startled or if water conditions deteriorate. Like all Corydoras, they occasionally dart to the surface to gulp atmospheric air, and during this rapid ascent, they might accidentally breach the surface too forcefully. A well-fitting aquarium lid is highly recommended to prevent any tragic accidents. Ensuring optimal water parameters will also minimize any erratic surfacing behavior.
- Reprodução
- Oviparous
- Breeding *Hoplisoma melanistium* involves simulating the rainy season through large, cooler water changes and feeding highly nutritious live foods. The female will gather eggs in a pouch formed by her pelvic fins while the male fertilizes them. Following fertilization, the female carefully deposits the adhesive eggs onto broad plant leaves, aquarium glass, or flat stones. Because the parents may consume their own eggs, it is best to rear the fry in a separate, dedicated breeding tank with meticulous water quality management.
- Compatibilidade e companheiros de tanque
- Peaceful
- This species is exceptionally peaceful and makes an excellent addition to a community aquarium. They do not bother other fish and are perfectly safe to keep with small tetras, rasboras, and dwarf cichlids. It is crucial to avoid keeping them with large, aggressive, or predatory species that might view them as food or nip at their delicate barbels. They thrive best when kept alongside other docile species that occupy the middle and upper levels of the water column.
- Nível do tanque
- Bottom
- This species is a classic bottom dweller that spends the vast majority of its time resting on or foraging through the substrate. You will frequently observe them sifting through fine sand with their sensitive barbels in search of hidden morsels. Although they mostly remain at the lowest level of the aquarium, they will make periodic, lightning-fast dashes to the water surface to gulp air. Their predominantly benthic nature means they require plenty of uninterrupted swimming space along the tank floor.
Modelos e parâmetros científicos
FishBase
Acesso aos dados científicos oficiais da espécie
FishBase v25.04Dados sincronizados em: 15/06/2026
- Nível trófico
- 2,8 ± 0,32 se
- Resiliência
- Média (1,4 - 4,4 anos)
- Unicidade filogenética (PD50)
- 0.5
- Relação bayesiana comprimento-peso
- a = 0.00741, b = 3.14
- VulnerabilidadeVulnerabilidade baixa (10 / 100)
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