Masked cory

Hoplisoma metae

Also known as Corydoras metae, bandit cory

FreshwaterFish

Masked cory (Hoplisoma metae) — Gonzalo Valenzuela · CC BY-SA 2.0

Care at a glance

Temperature: 70–79°F; 21–26°C
pH: 6.0–7.5
Adult size: 2 in; 5 cm
Minimum tank: 15 gal; 55 L

Temperament: Peaceful
Social behavior: Shoaling
Swim level: Bottom
Difficulty: Easy
Breeding: Egg depositor · Hard
Rarity: Common
Family: Callichthyidae
Origin: Colombia, Venezuela

Overview

The masked cory is a peaceful schooling cory that works the bottom of the tank. It is easy to keep.

Did you know

The masked cory can breathe air, darting to the surface for a gulp and absorbing oxygen through a section of its gut. That lets it get by in warm, stagnant pools where many fish would struggle. Regular surface trips in a healthy tank are normal, not a warning sign on their own.

Caring for the masked cory

Keep masked cories in a group of at least six, and more if you have room. A tank of 15 gal (55 L) suits a small group. Use a smooth, soft sand substrate so they can sift without damaging their barbels, and add some shade from plants or wood.

Keep the water soft and clean, with gentle flow. Aim for 70 to 79°F (21 to 26°C) and a pH of 6.0 to 7.5. Feed sinking wafers and pellets, plus frozen bloodworms and brine shrimp, and make sure the food actually reaches the floor.

Masked cories are peaceful and mix well with other calm, soft-water community fish. They are egg layers, and breeding them is hard. The female carries the eggs in a pouch formed by her pelvic fins and sticks them to surfaces.

Good to know

The masked cory is a small armored catfish in the family Callichthyidae, listed as Hoplisoma metae and also known as Corydoras metae. Like other cories, it wears bony plates instead of scales. The dark band running over the head and through the dorsal fin gives it the masked look.

In the wild

The masked cory comes from clear, soft streams in Colombia and Venezuela. It forages over sandy bottoms among leaf litter and roots.

Weekly picks

Tank mates

The masked 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.

Check the full mix in the stocking calculator

Common questions

What size tank does a masked cory need?

A masked cory needs at least 15 gal (55 L). It spends most of its time in the bottom.

What temperature and pH does a masked cory need?

A masked cory is comfortable at 70–79°F (21–26°C) with a pH of 6.0–7.5.

What does a masked cory eat?

A masked cory eats sinking wafers and pellets, plus frozen bloodworms and brine shrimp. Make sure the food actually reaches the floor.

How big does a masked cory get?

An adult masked cory reaches about 2 in (5 cm).

Does a masked cory need a group?

Yes. A masked cory is a shoaling species and should be kept in a group, not singly.

How does a masked cory breed?

Masked cories are egg layers, and breeding them is hard. The female carries the eggs in a pouch formed by her pelvic fins, then sticks them to surfaces.