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Sipaliwini cory

Hoplisoma sipaliwini

Also known as Corydoras sipaliwini, Nail Cory

FreshwaterFish
Sipaliwini cory (Hoplisoma sipaliwini)
The Wet Spot Tropical Fish · Used with permission

Care at a glance

Temperature
73–81°F (23–27°C)
pH
5.8–7.2
Adult size
2.2 in (5.5 cm)
Minimum tank
16 gal (60 L)
Temperament
Peaceful
Social behavior
Shoaling
Swim level
Bottom
Difficulty
Medium
Breeding
Hard
Rarity
Rare
Origin
Sipaliwini and Corantijn drainages of Suriname and Guyana
Family
Callichthyidae

Overview

Keep a shoal of six in 60 liters of clean, flowing water over sand. It takes sinking and frozen foods readily once acclimated, though fresh Guiana imports arrive lean and deserve careful quarantine. Breeding reports are scarce. Supply depends entirely on infrequent Suriname collections.

In the wild

This cory lives in the Sipaliwini savanna drainages of southern Suriname and adjacent Guyana, in clear sandy creeks of the Guiana Shield. It wants clean, oxygenated water over fine sand with stones and wood, at 23 to 27 degrees Celsius and pH 5.8 to 7.2.

Good to know

Hoedeman described Corydoras sipaliwini in 1965 from one of South America's least accessible corners; the 2024 revision lists it as Hoplisoma sipaliwini. It reaches about 5.5 centimeters and wears a peppered body with a dark dorsal saddle, a close relative of the region's other shield-water corys.

Did you know

Its home savanna is so remote that collecting trips reach it by bush plane, which is most of why this cory stays a rarity.

Tank mates

Sipaliwini cory is a peaceful, shoaling species that keeps to the bottom. These picks match on water type, temperature, pH, size and temperament.

Check the full mix in the stocking calculator

Common questions

What size tank does a Sipaliwini cory need?

A Sipaliwini cory needs at least 16 gal (60 L). It spends most of its time in the bottom.

What temperature and pH do Sipaliwini cory need?

Sipaliwini cory are comfortable at 73–81°F (23–27°C) with a pH of 5.8–7.2.

How big do Sipaliwini cory get?

An adult Sipaliwini cory reaches about 2.2 in (5.5 cm).

Do Sipaliwini cory need a group?

Yes. Sipaliwini cory are a shoaling species and should be kept in a group, not singly.

Where to buy

Some links may not be the exact species or variety.

…or ask your local fish store.

Appears in

Freshwater fish · Corydoras · Schooling fish · Community fish · Bottom dwellers

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