Bluespotted cory
Hoplisoma melanistium
Also known as Corydoras melanistius, Spotted cory
FreshwaterFish
Care at a glance
- Temperature
- 72–79°F
- 22–26°C
- pH
- 6.0–7.5
- 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
- Family
- Callichthyidae
- Origin
- The Guianas
Overview
The bluespotted cory is a peaceful, shoaling cory that works the sandy bottom with its barbels. It suits a keeper with some experience.
Did you know
The bluespotted cory's species name points to its dark marks, a bold black bar masking the eye and a sooty blotch across the shoulder. Both stand out against a pale, lightly freckled body.
Caring for the bluespotted cory
Keep bluespotted cories in a group of at least six, in a tank of 16 gal (60 L) or larger. Give them a soft sand bed to forage over, with driftwood, dried leaves and shaded planting.
Use clean, gently moving water at 72 to 79°F (22 to 26°C) and a pH of 6.0 to 7.5, and change it regularly. Feed sinking pellets, frozen bloodworm and daphnia, and a little wafer, making sure the food reaches the substrate.
Bluespotted cories are peaceful and settle in with small, calm community fish that leave the floor clear at feeding time. They have been spawned in aquaria, but breeding is difficult. It takes soft, clean water and well-conditioned adults to trigger spawning.
Good to know
The bluespotted cory is an armored catfish in the family Callichthyidae. Two rows of bony scutes armor each flank.
In the wild
The bluespotted cory is native to the Guianas, where it lives over sand in warm, soft, slightly acidic rivers and streams.
Weekly picks
Tank mates
The bluespotted 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.
Neocaridina shrimp
Neocaridina davidi
Freshwater1.6 in (4 cm) · 5 gal (19 L)59–84°F (15–29°C)
Guppy
Poecilia reticulata
FreshwaterBrackish2.4 in (6 cm) · 10 gal (38 L)64–82°F (18–28°C)
Neon tetra
Paracheirodon innesi
Freshwater1.5 in (3.8 cm) · 11 gal (40 L)70–77°F (21–25°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)
Gold rabbit snail
Tylomelania gemmifera
Freshwater2.8 in (7 cm) · 16 gal (60 L)75–82°F (24–28°C)
Common questions
What size tank does a bluespotted cory need?
A bluespotted cory needs at least 16 gal (60 L). It spends most of its time in the bottom.
What temperature and pH does a bluespotted cory need?
A bluespotted cory is comfortable at 72–79°F (22–26°C) with a pH of 6.0–7.5.
What does a bluespotted cory eat?
A bluespotted cory eats sinking pellets, frozen bloodworm and daphnia, and a little wafer. Make sure the food reaches the substrate.
How big does a bluespotted cory get?
An adult bluespotted cory reaches about 2.2 in (5.5 cm).
Does a bluespotted cory need a group?
Yes. A bluespotted cory is a shoaling species and should be kept in a group, not singly.
How does a bluespotted cory breed?
The bluespotted cory has been spawned in aquaria, but breeding it is difficult. Soft, clean water and well-conditioned adults are needed to trigger spawning.
Related species
2.2 in (5.5 cm)16 gal (60 L)73–81°F (23–27°C)Boeseman's cory
Hoplisoma boesemani
2.2 in (5.5 cm) · 16 gal (60 L)
2.2 in (5.5 cm)20 gal (75 L)72–79°F (22–26°C)Burgess's cory
Hoplisoma burgessi
2.2 in (5.5 cm) · 20 gal (75 L)
2.2 in (5.5 cm)20 gal (75 L)68–79°F (20–26°C)Julii cory
Hoplisoma julii
2.2 in (5.5 cm) · 20 gal (75 L)
2.2 in (5.5 cm)20 gal (75 L)73–79°F (23–26°C)Oiapoque cory
Hoplisoma oiapoquense
2.2 in (5.5 cm) · 20 gal (75 L)
2.2 in (5.5 cm)16 gal (60 L)73–81°F (23–27°C)Sipaliwini cory
Hoplisoma sipaliwini
2.2 in (5.5 cm) · 16 gal (60 L)
2.2 in (5.5 cm)16 gal (60 L)72–81°F (22–27°C)Threestripe cory
Hoplisoma trilineatum
2.2 in (5.5 cm) · 16 gal (60 L)