Apiaka cory
Hoplisoma apiaka
Also known as Corydoras apiaka, Apiaka dwarf cory
FreshwaterFish
Care at a glance
- Temperature
- 75–82°F
- 24–28°C
- pH
- 5.5–7.2
- Adult size
- 1.8 in
- 4.5 cm
- Minimum tank
- 15 gal
- 55 L
- Temperament
- Peaceful
- Social behavior
- Shoaling
- Swim level
- Bottom
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Breeding
- Hard
- Rarity
- Rare
- Family
- Callichthyidae
- Origin
- Rio Arinos, Teles Pires and Preto tributaries of the upper Tapajos basin, Mato Grosso, Brazil
Overview
The Apiaka cory is a small, peaceful cory for the bottom of a soft sand tank. It is best with a little experience.
Did you know
The Apiaka cory carries the name of the Apiaka people. Their river territory in the upper Tapajos is exactly where the species swims.
Caring for the Apiaka cory
Keep Apiaka cories in a shoal of six or more, in a tank of at least 15 gal (55 L). Soft, fine sand keeps their barbels safe while they dig. Add scattered wood and leaves, and keep the water well oxygenated.
Keep them warm, at 75 to 82°F (24 to 28°C) and a pH of 5.5 to 7.2. Feed small sinking granules and frozen foods.
Apiaka cories are completely peaceful and combine naturally with small tetras from the same basin. Captive breeding has been managed only rarely, and it is hard. Cool, fresh water changes are the usual trigger to try with Tapajos cories.
Good to know
The Apiaka cory was described in 2014 by Espindola and colleagues as Corydoras apiaka, and the 2024 revision lists it as Hoplisoma apiaka. Its fine speckling over a pale body, with a dusky dorsal blotch, fits the region's sand-bed camouflage school.
In the wild
The Apiaka cory lives in the Rio Arinos, Teles Pires and Preto tributaries of the upper Tapajos basin, in Mato Grosso, Brazil. These clear and tannin-tinted streams run shallow and gentle over sand.
Weekly picks
Tank mates
The Apiaka cory is a peaceful, shoaling species that keeps to the bottom. These picks share a community profile with it, are safe together in both directions, and overlap on water type, temperature and pH.
Melanzona guppy
Poecilia parae
FreshwaterBrackish2 in (5 cm) · 15 gal (55 L)75–82°F (24–28°C)
Scherer's hatchetfish
Carnegiella schereri
Freshwater1 in (2.6 cm) · 14 gal (54 L)73–82°F (23–28°C)
Green lace shrimp
Atyoida pilipes
Freshwater2.8 in (7 cm) · 14 gal (54 L)73–82°F (23–28°C)
Loach catfish
Aspidoras rochai
Freshwater1.7 in (4.4 cm) · 15 gal (55 L)70–77°F (21–25°C)
Hockeystick pencilfish
Nannostomus eques
Freshwater1.4 in (3.5 cm) · 15 gal (55 L)72–82°F (22–28°C)
Clown killifish
Epiplatys annulatus
Freshwater1.4 in (3.5 cm) · 15 gal (55 L)68–79°F (20–26°C)
Common questions
What size tank does an Apiaka cory need?
An Apiaka cory needs at least 15 gal (55 L). It spends most of its time in the bottom.
What temperature and pH does an Apiaka cory need?
An Apiaka cory is comfortable at 75–82°F (24–28°C) with a pH of 5.5–7.2.
What does an Apiaka cory eat?
An Apiaka cory eats small sinking granules and frozen foods.
How big does an Apiaka cory get?
An adult Apiaka cory reaches about 1.8 in (4.5 cm).
Does an Apiaka cory need a group?
Yes. An Apiaka cory is a shoaling species and should be kept in a group, not singly.
How does an Apiaka cory breed?
Apiaka cories have been bred in captivity only rarely, and breeding them is hard. Cool, fresh water changes are the usual trigger to try.
Related species
1.8 in (4.5 cm)16 gal (60 L)73–79°F (23–26°C)Blackfin cory
Hoplisoma leucomelas
1.8 in (4.5 cm) · 16 gal (60 L)
1.8 in (4.5 cm)15 gal (55 L)75–82°F (24–28°C)Kane's cory
Hoplisoma kanei
1.8 in (4.5 cm) · 15 gal (55 L)
1.8 in (4.5 cm)16 gal (60 L)73–81°F (23–27°C)Knaack's cory
Hoplisoma knaacki
1.8 in (4.5 cm) · 16 gal (60 L)
2 in (5 cm)15 gal (55 L)70–79°F (21–26°C)Blackstripe cory
Hoplisoma bondi
2 in (5 cm) · 15 gal (55 L)
2 in (5 cm)16 gal (60 L)70–75°F (21–24°C)Dirty bandit cory
Hoplisoma loxozonum
2 in (5 cm) · 16 gal (60 L)
2 in (5 cm)20 gal (75 L)72–79°F (22–26°C)Duplicate cory
Hoplisoma duplicareum
2 in (5 cm) · 20 gal (75 L)