Tailspot Cory

Care

Tailspot Cory or Hoplisoma caudimaculatum is an excellent choice of catfish for the mature community aquarium. They must be kept on a soft sand substrate in order to protect the delicate barbel area and maintained in groups of 5 or more due to their shoaling nature. Some shady planted areas should be provided. This species is not particularly active and is suited to quieter aquariums where they will sit together in groups for prolonged periods. Frequent partial water changes are a must for this species, as they can be very sensitive to elevated nitrate levels. 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. caudimaculatus is similar in appearance to Gastrodermus guapore, Corydoras ourastigma and H. similis.

 

Hoplisoma was recently split from Corydoras and contains many familiar species.

Feeding

Sinking catfish pellets, frozen foods such as mosquito larvae and brineshrimp.

Breeding

This species is said to be a little trickier to spawn than some other members of the Corydoras group. It may be possible to trigger mature fish (2 males:1 female) into spawning by performing a large, slightly cooler water change. When ready to spawn, a pair should adopt the classic Corydoras T position where the male fertilises the eggs that are held between the females' pelvic fins. This species is said to scatter the fertilised eggs over dense planting.