Care
The Spotted Cory is known from the upper Amazon River and the Rio Ampiyacu.
This peaceful species is ideal for the mature community aquarium, and should be maintained in groups of 5 or more due to shoaling nature. Unfortunately, it can be a little prone to barbel infections/erosion, so it is of paramount importance that the fish 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.
This species can be very hard to tell apart from several other spotted Cory species, especially B. agassizii. Although hard to tell without direct comparisons, ambiacus has many small grey spots scattered over its body, whereas agassizii tends to have slightly larger, darker spots which are roughly assembled in three longitudinal rows. There is a black blotch in the dorsal fin of both species, and in ambiacus, this is largely absent from the leading dorsal spine, which is white at the top. The fish imported from Peru as Corydoras punctatus Nanay is also closely related and possibly undescribed. It certainly bears little resemblance to the real Hoplisoma punctatus.
Feeding
Sinking catfish pellets, frozen foods such as bloodworm, white mosquito larvae and vitamin-enriched brineshrimp.
Breeding
There are currently no reports of this species having been bred in the home aquarium. However, it is likely to spawn in the typical Corydoras manner whereby following a large, slightly cool water change, a pair will adopt the classic T position with the male fertilising the eggs that are held between the females' pelvic fins.
