Carla's cory
Hoplisoma carlae
Also known as Corydoras carlae, Iguazu cory
FreshwaterFish
Care at a glance
- Temperature
- 68–77°F
- 20–25°C
- pH
- 6.0–7.5
- Adult size
- 2.4 in
- 6 cm
- Minimum tank
- 16 gal
- 60 L
- Temperament
- Peaceful
- Social behavior
- Shoaling
- Swim level
- Bottom
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Breeding
- Hard
- Rarity
- Rare
- Family
- Callichthyidae
- Origin
- Lower Rio Iguazu basin, Argentina and Brazil
Overview
Carla's cory is a peaceful subtropical catfish, the cory for an unheated or cool-running tank. It suits a keeper with a little experience.
Did you know
Carla's cory swims within earshot of Iguazu Falls. Unlike most corys, it genuinely prefers the coolest tank in your fish room.
Caring for the Carla's cory
Keep six or more Carla's cories over sand, in 16 gal (60 L) or larger. Add smooth stones, and give them brisk, oxygen-rich flow.
Room temperatures that would chill Amazon species suit them, at 68 to 77°F (20 to 25°C) and a pH of 6.0 to 7.5. That is cooler than most corys like. Feed standard sinking and frozen foods.
Carla's cories are peaceful, so pair them with other subtropical fish rather than warm-water tank mates. Breeding them is hard, and documented breedings are few. Cooling water changes mimic their natural spawning triggers.
Good to know
Nijssen and Isbrücker described Carla's cory in 1983, and the 2024 revision lists it as Hoplisoma carlae. It comes from the same river as the Iguazu waterfalls, whose cataracts isolate its fauna. Its subtropical range brings real seasonal temperature swings that no equatorial cory ever sees.
In the wild
Carla's cory lives in the lower Iguazu basin below the falls region, in Argentina and Brazil. This subtropical river runs distinctly cooler than Amazon habitats. The fish forages over sand and rock in flowing water.
Weekly picks
Tank mates
The Carla's 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.
Mayan tetra
Hyphessobrycon compressus
Freshwater1.8 in (4.5 cm) · 16 gal (60 L)68–79°F (20–26°C)
Clown killifish
Epiplatys annulatus
Freshwater1.4 in (3.5 cm) · 15 gal (55 L)68–79°F (20–26°C)
White spotted rabbit snail
Tylomelania towutica
Freshwater4.3 in (11 cm) · 16 gal (60 L)75–84°F (24–29°C)
Albater cory
Aspidoras albater
Freshwater1.6 in (4 cm) · 16 gal (60 L)72–77°F (22–25°C)
Brittan's rasbora
Kottelatia brittani
Freshwater2.4 in (6 cm) · 16 gal (60 L)68–79°F (20–26°C)
Fanning characin
Pyrrhulina rachoviana
Freshwater2 in (5 cm) · 16 gal (60 L)68–79°F (20–26°C)
Common questions
What size tank does a Carla's cory need?
A Carla's cory needs at least 16 gal (60 L). It spends most of its time in the bottom.
What temperature and pH does a Carla's cory need?
A Carla's cory is comfortable at 68–77°F (20–25°C) with a pH of 6.0–7.5.
What does a Carla's cory eat?
A Carla's cory eats standard sinking and frozen foods.
How big does a Carla's cory get?
An adult Carla's cory reaches about 2.4 in (6 cm).
Does a Carla's cory need a group?
Yes. A Carla's cory is a shoaling species and should be kept in a group, not singly.
How does a Carla's cory breed?
Carla's cories are hard to breed, and few breedings are documented. Cooling water changes mimic the natural triggers that set off their spawning.
Related species
2.4 in (6 cm)20 gal (75 L)70–79°F (21–26°C)Adolfo's cory
Hoplisoma adolfoi
2.4 in (6 cm) · 20 gal (75 L)
2.4 in (6 cm)16 gal (60 L)75–82°F (24–28°C)Ancestor cory
Hoplisoma noxium
2.4 in (6 cm) · 16 gal (60 L)
2.4 in (6 cm)20 gal (75 L)72–79°F (22–26°C)Concolor cory
Hoplisoma concolor
2.4 in (6 cm) · 20 gal (75 L)
2.4 in (6 cm)20 gal (75 L)72–79°F (22–26°C)Froehlich's cory
Hoplisoma froehlichi
2.4 in (6 cm) · 20 gal (75 L)
2.4 in (6 cm)20 gal (75 L)72–79°F (22–26°C)Gossei cory
Hoplisoma gossei
2.4 in (6 cm) · 20 gal (75 L)
2.4 in (6 cm)21 gal (80 L)72–79°F (22–26°C)Sands cory
Hoplisoma davidsandsi
2.4 in (6 cm) · 21 gal (80 L)