TankBud

Weitzman's cory

Hoplisoma weitzmani

Also known as Corydoras weitzmani, Two-saddle cory

FreshwaterFish

Weitzman's cory (Hoplisoma weitzmani)
NasserHalaweh · CC BY-SA 4.0

Care at a glance

Temperature
72–79°F
22–26°C
pH
6.0–7.5
Adult size
2.4 in
6 cm
Minimum tank
20 gal
75 L
Temperament
Peaceful
Social behavior
Shoaling
Swim level
Bottom
Difficulty
Medium
Breeding
Medium
Rarity
Common
Family
Callichthyidae
Origin
Rio Madre de Dios drainage, southern Peru (Amazon basin)

Overview

Keep them in a group of at least six, and eight or more is better, or they turn shy and stressed. They are peaceful and spend their time foraging along the bottom in a tank of 75 liters or larger. Hold the temperature between 22 and 26 C, since long spells above about 27 C wear on them, and keep the pH from 6 to 7.5 in soft water. They are sensitive to nitrate, so do regular partial water changes and keep the substrate clean. Feed sinking pellets, frozen foods, and the occasional live treat that reaches the bottom.

In the wild

Weitzman's cory comes from the Rio Madre de Dios drainage in southern Peru, part of the upper Amazon basin. These are soft, slightly acidic to neutral streams that run a touch cooler than typical tropical water. Give them a tank of at least 75 liters with a fine sand bottom, or very smooth fine gravel at most, since sharp substrate wears down their delicate barbels. Keep the temperature in the 22 to 26 C range and the pH between 6 and 7.5, with soft water and some shade from plants or driftwood.

Good to know

This is a bottom-dwelling catfish in the family Callichthyidae, listed under Corydoras weitzmani and now also placed in the genus Hoplisoma. Adults reach about 6 cm, with females a little larger than males. Like other Corydoras, they gulp air at the surface and pass it through their gut to absorb oxygen, so leave a small air gap above the waterline. They are egg layers, and dedicated keepers breed them with patience.

Did you know

This one earned a reputation as a holy grail cory among collectors. For years it was rare and hard to find in the trade, since wild stock barely turned up, but committed breeders have since worked out how to spawn it at home. Cooler water around 22 C and very soft, near neutral conditions help trigger spawning.

Weekly picks

Tank mates

Weitzman'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.

Check the full mix in the stocking calculator

Common questions

What size tank does a Weitzman's cory need?

A Weitzman's cory needs at least 20 gal (75 L). It spends most of its time in the bottom.

What temperature and pH does a Weitzman's cory need?

A Weitzman's cory is comfortable at 72–79°F (22–26°C) with a pH of 6.0–7.5.

How big does a Weitzman's cory get?

An adult Weitzman's cory reaches about 2.4 in (6 cm).

Does a Weitzman's cory need a group?

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

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