Care
The Bandit Cory is beautiful catfish that is ideal for the mature softwater aquarium. This is a peaceful bottom dweller which should be maintained in groups of 5 or more due to shoaling nature. In the wild, C. melini is known from pristine blackwater tributaries of the Orinoco and upper Negro River basins, so they will always be at their best in soft, acidic water long-term. Unfortunately, this species can be a little prone to barbel infections/erosion, so it is of paramount importance that they are kept on a soft sand substrate (rather than gravel where waste can build up unseen) in order to protect these delicate sensory organs. Regular maintenance, including frequent partial water changes, should be carried out in order to keep these fish in good condition. Provide plenty of shady areas amongst driftwood, rocks, and areas of dense planting. Other peaceful species such as some of the smaller pencilfish, tetra, and rasboras make ideal tankmates, and their presence as dither fish in midwater will encourage the Corydoras out into view more often. Corydoras have the ability to breathe air intestinally, so a small gap should be left between the surface of the water and the cover slides in order for the fish to come up to the surface and take air in. It may do this numerous times per day. H. melini is similar in appearance to H. davidsandsi and H. metae, and they can be told apart as follows: in H. metae, the diagonal black stripe terminates at the caudal peduncle, but carries on into the caudal fin in both H. davidsandsi and H. melini. The same black diagonal stripe separates into two just behind the dorsal fin and continues as two lines over the back of the body in H. melini. In H. davidsandsi, the stripe separates much nearer to the caudal peduncle. The body colouration of H. davidsandsi tends to be much "cleaner", whereas H. melini is more of a dirty tan on account of the black specks on the edges of the body scutes.
Hoplisoma was recently split from Corydoras and contains many familiar species.
Feeding
Sinking catfish pellets, frozen foods such as bloodworm, white mosquito larvae and vitamin-enriched brineshrimp.
Breeding
This species has been bred in the home aquarium. Mature pairs can be triggered into spawning by performing a large, slightly cooler water change. The pair will adopt the classic T position where the male fertilises the eggs that are held between the female's pelvic fins. The adhesive eggs will then be deposited onto plants, decor, or the sides of the aquarium etc and the process repeated. Unfortunately the eggs of this species are prone to fungus, so some fishkeepers like to add a small amount of methylene blue to the breeding tank. The eggs generally take 3-4 days to hatch after which time the tiny fry should be offered finely powdered first foods. A few days later they will be able to take newly hatched brineshrimp.
