PlanetCatfish.com - Hoplisoma leucomelas (Callichthyidae) Cat-eLog

Cat-eLog Callichthyidae Corydoradinae Hoplisoma | |

Two days after capture.
Collecting location, off Rio Yavari, Peru.
Head-on view

Cat-eLog Data Sheet
Scientific Name	**Hoplisoma leucomelas** (Eigenmann & Allen, 1942)
Common Names	Peruvian Freckled Cory Panzerwels (Germany), Sortfinnet Pansermalle (Denmark)
Type Locality	Yarina cocha, cutoff lake at right bank of Río Pacaya, near Sarayacu, about 5°15'S, 74°15'W, Upper Amazon, Peru.
Synonym(s)	Corydoras leucomelas
Pronunciation	hop lee so mah - look oh MELL uss
Etymology	The specific epithet, leucomelas means ''with white and black''.
Species Information
Size	45mm or 1.8" SL. Find near, nearer or same sized spp.
Identification	A very easy fish to misidentify as it is often captured alongside the similar species C. agassizii and C. ambiacus and C. gomezi. C. gomezi has a distinct black spot on the dorsal, C. ambiacus grows larger and lacks the distinct ''mask'' marking through the eye and C. agassizii also lacks the ''mask'' and has much less black on the dorsal. Expect to find these four spp. mixed in many Amazonian Corydoras shipments.
Sexing	Females grow larger and are more full-bodied, this is best observed from above the fish. Males will typically have more pointed as opposed to more rounded fin tips as they mature.
General Remarks	C. leucomelas is common throughout the main river channel and several smaller tributaries in the Ecuadorian, Peruvian, and Colombian Amazon. It can also be found as far downriver as Tabatinga, Brazil. Most commercial collection takes place in Peru and at Leticia, Colombia where it is known amongst collectors as ''Maldito'' (the little damned Cory) because it is so common that it brings a very low price. As of 2003, collectors in Leticia, Colombia received U.S $7.00 for every 1,000 C. leucomelas they sold to Bogota exporters. It is still collected, however, as many thousand can be captured in a few hours since it is always found in very large schools.
Habitat Information
Distribution	South America: Upper Amazon River basin. Amazon, Upper Amazon (click on these areas to find other species found there) Amazon, Upper Amazon, Yavari (click on these areas to find other species found there) Login to view the map.
IUCN Red List Category	Not Evaluated
pH	5.6 - 7.0
Temperature	25.0-26.5°C or 77-79.7°F (Show species within this range)
Husbandry Information
Feeding	Omnivore. Happily takes dry, frozen, and live foods. User data.
Furniture	In nature, found over mud substrates in blackwaters. In the aquarium they prefer a sand substrate and enjoy hiding among plants, rocks, and driftwood.
Compatibility	Compatible with tankmates of any size. This species is always found in large schools and a minimum of four individuals is recommended. In the Rio Yavari, Peru they were captured alongside Rineloricaria, Loricaria, and spotted raphael catfish.
Breeding	Unreported.
Breeding Reports	There is no breeding report.
Further Information
Reference	Fishes of western South America, pp 178, Pl. 12 (fig. 4).
Registered Keepers	There are 81 registered keepers, view all "my cats" data.
Wishlists	Love this species? Click the heart to add it to your wish list. There are 4 wishes to keep this species, see who wants what.
Spotters	Spotted this species somewhere? Click the binoculars! There are 29 records of this fish being seen, view them all.
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	Look up H. leucomelas on Global Biodiversity Information Facility
	LFS label creator ARN ref:1.1.1580.485
Last Update	2025 Jan 02 01:38 (species record created: 2001 Apr 30 00:00)