False spotted catfish (Corydoras leucomelas) care guide

Group
Freshwater fish
Other names
Peruvian freckled cory, Blackfin cory, False spotted cory, Hoplisoma leucomelas
Family
Callichthyidae (armoured catfishes)
Origin
Upper Amazon basin in Ecuador, Peru and Colombia, reaching Tabatinga in Brazil.
Water
freshwater
Maximum size
4.5 cm
Temperature
25–26.5°C
pH
5.6–7
Hardness
Soft
Minimum tank
54 litres
Care level
beginner
Temperament
peaceful

Care

A small spotted cory with a dark blotch in the dorsal fin and a dark bar through the eye. In the wild it lives in large schools, and PlanetCatfish recommends a minimum of four – six or more is better. A tank with a base of about 60 × 30 cm (around 54 litres) suits a group (our estimate). PlanetCatfish suggests a sand substrate and hiding places among plants, rocks and driftwood, reflecting the muddy blackwater habitats where it is found. PlanetCatfish gives 25–26.5 °C and pH 5.6–7, so it prefers soft, slightly acidic, fairly warm water. Keep it clean with regular partial changes; like other corys it is sensitive to salt and many medications. It is often confused with C. agassizii, C. ambiacus and C. gomezi; PlanetCatfish points to the mask-like bar through the eye as a key feature. Females are larger and fuller-bodied seen from above; males develop more pointed fins as they mature. Since the 2024 revision of Corydoras, PlanetCatfish lists the valid name as Hoplisoma leucomelas; it is still sold as "Corydoras leucomelas". PlanetCatfish shows it as Not Evaluated by the IUCN. It is abundant in the wild and most trade fish are wild-caught exports from Peru and Colombia. Sources: PlanetCatfish (planetcatfish.com/common/species.php?speciesid=485). Checked October 2026.

Diet

An omnivore that happily takes dry, frozen and live foods. Feed sinking tablets and pellets daily, with bloodworm, Daphnia and small worms several times a week.

Breeding

PlanetCatfish has no breeding reports for this species. A general cory approach – conditioning a group on live and frozen food and then a large, slightly cooler water change – is the usual way to try.

Compatibility and tank mates

A peaceful schooling fish that PlanetCatfish rates as compatible with tankmates of any size that will not eat it. Good with tetras, pencilfish, dwarf cichlids and other soft-water community fish.

Last updated 5 October 2026. Community-edited care guide on Aquatic-Auctions.

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