Edit Hoplisoma melini

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Name

Scientific name

Hoplisoma melini

Described by

Authority Lönnberg & Rendahl, Year 1930, Bracketed

Family

Callichthyidae

Common names

False Bandit Cory

Photograph credits

All 12 credited

Summary

The false bandit cory, Hoplisoma melini, long known as Corydoras melini, is an armoured catfish from tributaries of the rios Negro, Caquetá…

Size and aquarium

Maximum size

50mm, standard length

Aquarium size

Minimum length 80 cm, Minimum depth 30 cm, Water movement Low: still or sluggish water

Water

Water conditions

Temperature 20–26°C, pH 4–7

Hardness

1–5dGH

Conductivity

Not recorded

Behaviour

Temperament

Peaceful

Community suitability

Community-safe

Where it lives

Countries, regions, rivers and lakes

Brazil, Colombia, Amazon, Guaviare, Japurá, Losada, Negro, Orinoco, Papuri, Tiquié, Uaupés

Writing

Etymology

Corydoras: from the Ancient Greek κόρυς (korus), meaning ‘helmet’, and δορά (dora), meaning ‘skin, hide of an animal’, in allusion to the rows of bony plates o…

Distribution

Native to tributaries of the rios Negro, Caquetá (both within the Amazon basin), and Orinoco in northwestern Brazil and east-central Colombia. It is known from…

Habitat

Inhabits pristine blackwater tributaries and areas of flooded forest where the water is characteristically stained dark with organic chemicals. Such habitats t…

Aquarium size

Base dimensions of 80 ∗ 30 cm or equivalent are recommended for long-term care.

Maintenance

Ideally use a substrate of fine sand, although rounded gravel is an acceptable alternative provided it is kept scrupulously clean. Other décor is largely down …

Water conditions

Temperature: 20 – 26 °C pH: 4.0 – 7.0, though wild fish may do best towards the middle and lower ends of this range. Hardness: 1 – 5 dGH

Diet

Corydoras spp. are foraging omnivores and will accept most sinking dried foods, as well as small live and frozen varieties such as chironomid larvae (bloodworm…

Behaviour and compatibility

Peaceful and gregarious. Should be maintained in a group of at least 4-6 individuals.

Sexual dimorphism

Females tend to grow larger, and sexually mature individuals are noticeably rounder and broader-bodied than males, especially when gravid.

Reproduction

Can be bred in a similar fashion to many other Corydoras species. Use a ratio of two males per female if possible. When the females are visibly full of eggs pe…

Notes

This species is among a number of congeners native to the rio Negro region to possess a colour pattern with an oblique dark bar running along the dorsal surfac…

This species is among a number of congeners native to the rio Negro region to possess a colour pattern with an oblique dark bar running along the dorsal surface of the body. This group also includes Hoplisoma adolfoi, H. burgessi, H. davidsandsi, H. duplicareum, Brochis imitator, H. melini, and Corydoras serratus.

In H. melini this bar splits into two above the caudal peduncle, a feature shared only with H. davidsandsi. It can be told apart from H. davidsandsi by lacking (vs. possessing) a pale orange area between the dark head stripe and dorsal bars, and possessing (vs. lacking) additional dark markings on the flanks.

In the aquarium hobby, the population from the rio Tiquié has been referred to as 'C084', while a similar, slightly larger, form from the Río Huallaga in Peru is known as 'C085'. Both forms have been marketed as C. sp. 'mega metae'.

The existence of multiple, similarly-coloured species which coexist and sometimes form mixed schools is relatively common in the genus. In some cases Corydoras colour patterns have even evolved in other taxa, such as certain members of the genera Otocinclus, Brachyrhamdia, and Serrapinus. The reason for the success of such patterns is thought to be protection from predators in that they feature cryptic or otherwise disruptive details such as stripes, reticulations, or strongly-coloured fin spines. Similarly-patterned species may therefore have evolved to take advantage of foraging in a larger group while simultaneously adapting to exploit contrasting ecological niches. In Corydoras, this is typically expressed via differences in snout length, mouth position, or body size.

Until 2024 this species was placed in Corydoras, then among the largest catfish genera with over 150 valid species. Dias et al. (2024) divided it into five genera and moved this species to Hoplisoma. It is included in the family Callichthyidae, of which members are often referred to collectively as 'armoured' or 'mailed' catfishes group due to the presence of bony plates in place of scales on the body.

Their taxonomy can be confusing, and numerous undescribed species are also thought to exist. Fish of unconfirmed identification entering the aquarium hobby are typically assigned a 'C' or 'CW' number for purposes of reference and organisation.

They are facultative air breathers and possess a modified, highly vascularised intestine which has evolved to facilitate uptake of atmospheric oxygen and aid survival in oxygen-deprived environments. In the aquarium you'll occasionally see them rising to the surface to take in gulps of air.

The stiffened pectoral-fin spines are capable of piercing human skin and a 'sting' can be very painful indeed, so care should be exercised when handling them. It is thought that secretions from the axillary glands at the base of each spine may even be mildly toxic or venomous.

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References

7 on this profile

Name

Scientific name

Described by

Family

Common names

Photograph credits

Summary

Size and aquarium

Maximum size

Aquarium size

Water

Water conditions

Hardness

Conductivity

Behaviour

Temperament

Social needs

Community suitability

Where it lives

Countries, regions, rivers and lakes

Writing

Etymology

Distribution

Habitat

Aquarium size

Maintenance

Water conditions

Diet

Behaviour and compatibility

Sexual dimorphism

Reproduction

Notes

References

References