TankBud

Sands cory

Hoplisoma davidsandsi

Also known as Corydoras davidsandsi, David Sands cory

FreshwaterFish

Sands cory (Hoplisoma davidsandsi)
The Wet Spot Tropical Fish · Used with permission

Care at a glance

Temperature
72–79°F
22–26°C
pH
5.5–7.2
Adult size
2.4 in
6 cm
Minimum tank
21 gal
80 L
Temperament
Peaceful
Social behavior
Shoaling
Swim level
Bottom
Difficulty
Easy
Breeding
Egg depositor · Medium
Rarity
Common
Family
Callichthyidae
Origin
Rio Unini, a tributary of the Rio Negro basin, Brazil (South America)

Overview

The Sands cory is a peaceful catfish for the bottom of a soft-water community tank. It is easy to keep.

Did you know

The Sands cory is a facultative air breather, like other Corydoras. An occasional dart to the surface for a gulp of air is normal behavior.

Caring for the Sands cory

Keep Sands cories in a group of at least six, and the more the better. A small group leaves them shy and stressed. Give them a tank of 21 gal (80 L) or larger with a soft sand bottom, because they sift the sand all day. Sharp gravel wears down their delicate barbels and opens the door to infection.

Add botanicals or leaf litter, driftwood and subdued lighting. Hold the water soft and slightly acidic, at 72 to 79°F (22 to 26°C) and a pH of 5.5 to 7.2. Feed sinking pellets, frozen foods and the odd live treat.

Sands cories are peaceful and safe with other community fish. Their stiffened pectoral spines can pierce skin and snag nets, so net and handle them with care.

Breeding follows the classic Corydoras pattern. A cool water change that mimics the rainy season triggers a spawn. The fish scatter sticky eggs across the glass and plant leaves and give no parental care. Breeding takes some setup, but it is well within reach once the group is settled and well fed.

Good to know

The Sands cory is an armored catfish in the family Callichthyidae. It is often confused with the similar-looking C. agassizii and C. melini.

In the wild

Sands cories come from the Rio Unini, a tributary in the Rio Negro basin of Brazil. The Rio Unini is blackwater habitat, soft and slightly acidic, stained dark by leaf litter and shaded by forest above.

Weekly picks

Tank mates

The Sands 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 Sands cory need?

A Sands cory needs at least 21 gal (80 L). It spends most of its time in the bottom.

What temperature and pH does a Sands cory need?

A Sands cory is comfortable at 72–79°F (22–26°C) with a pH of 5.5–7.2.

What does a Sands cory eat?

A Sands cory eats sinking pellets and frozen foods, plus the odd live treat.

How big does a Sands cory get?

An adult Sands cory reaches about 2.4 in (6 cm).

Does a Sands cory need a group?

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

How does a Sands cory breed?

Sands cories spawn after a cool water change that mimics the rainy season. They scatter sticky eggs across the glass and plant leaves and give them no care. Breeding takes some setup but is well within reach for a settled, well-fed group.

Related species