Gosse's cory (Hoplisoma gossei) care guide

Group
Freshwater fish
Other names
Palespotted cory, Palespotted corydoras, Smokey cory
Family
Callichthyidae (armoured catfishes)
Origin
Rio Mamoré system (upper Rio Madeira, Amazon basin) in Rondônia, north-western Brazil, and probably neighbouring northern Bolivia.
Water
freshwater
Maximum size
5.5 cm
Temperature
24–28°C
pH
5.5–7.5
Hardness
Soft to medium, 2–10 dGH
Minimum tank
81 litres
Care level
beginner
Temperament
peaceful

Care

Gosse’s cory is a peaceful, gregarious catfish that should be kept in a group of at least 6 of its own species, and ideally more. A tank with a base of at least 90 × 30 cm (around 81 litres) gives a group space to forage. Like all corys it spends its life on the bottom, sifting through the substrate with its barbels for food, so fine sand is by far the best choice. Smooth, rounded gravel can work if it is kept spotlessly clean, but sharp or dirty substrate wears the barbels down and lets infections in. Include some cover such as driftwood, plants or leaf litter so the fish feel secure. Aim for warm water of about 24–28 °C, a pH of roughly 5.5–7.5 and soft to moderately hard water (2–10 dGH), in a mature, stable tank with good filtration. Corys have no scales, only bony plates, and are sensitive to salt and to many medications (especially copper-based treatments), so use half doses or leave them out when treating a tank. Keep nitrate low with regular partial water changes and siphon the sand surface lightly so uneaten food does not rot. They are facultative air breathers and will dart to the surface now and then to gulp air, which is normal. Take care when netting them: the pectoral-fin spines are sharp, can pierce skin and lock into nets, and the glands at their base may release a mildly toxic secretion. Since the 2024 revision of the corydoradine catfishes (Dita and colleagues) this species has been placed in Hoplisoma, but it is still widely sold as "Corydoras gossei". It is named after the Belgian ichthyologist Jean-Pierre Gosse. Brochis seussi (formerly Corydoras seussi), from the same river, has a very similar colour pattern but a noticeably longer snout, and an in-between form traded as CW069 also exists, so check labels carefully. It is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List (FishBase, assessed 2020). Sources: Seriously Fish (seriouslyfish.com/species/hoplisoma-gossei/); FishBase (fishbase.se/summary/Corydoras-gossei.html). Checked October 2026.

Diet

A foraging omnivore. Feed good sinking pellets, wafers or granules as the staple, with regular small live and frozen foods such as bloodworm (chironomid larvae) and Tubifex. Give it its own food rather than treating it as a clean-up fish living on leftovers.

Breeding

Females grow larger than males and become noticeably broader and deeper-bodied when mature. Use two or more males for each female and condition them well on live and frozen foods. A large (50–70%) water change with cooler water, plus extra oxygenation, often triggers spawning. Eggs are stuck to the glass, plants or spawning mops and get no parental care. They hatch in 3–4 days; feed the fry microworm and newly hatched brine shrimp. The fry need excellent water quality and do best over a thin layer of sand.

Compatibility and tank mates

Peaceful and gregarious, and a good fish for a calm community tank. Keep with small tetras, rasboras, pencilfish, dwarf cichlids and other peaceful catfish. Avoid large or aggressive species.

Last updated 4 October 2026. Community-edited care guide on Aquatic-Auctions.

About Aquatic-Auctions

  • Aquatic-Auctions (aquatic-auctions.com) is a UK online marketplace for aquarium and pond livestock and equipment: tropical and marine fish, corals, shrimp, snails and other invertebrates, aquatic plants, tanks, filtration, lighting and food.
  • Items are sold by auction, buy it now or classified advert, by hobbyist and business sellers in the UK.
  • Buyers pay sellers directly; Aquatic-Auctions does not hold the money. Hobbyist sellers can only take PayPal or cash on collection. Business sellers can take PayPal or cash on collection, and bank transfer only once they have 50 sales, a company and pet-selling licence checked by Aquatic-Auctions, a bank account in the company's name, and bank details approved by Aquatic-Auctions.
  • Buyers are told to pay by PayPal Goods & Services, never PayPal Friends and Family, gift cards or crypto.
  • Live fish and other vertebrates must be sent by specialist live-animal couriers (for example APC Overnight or DX Express), never by Royal Mail. Some invertebrates and plants may go by Royal Mail Special Delivery or 1st Class within its rules.
  • Banned and invasive species (for example those on the GB invasive species lists) cannot be listed, and sellers must meet the site’s animal welfare standards.
  • Members must be 16 or over to buy (16 and 17-year-olds with a parent or guardian’s agreement); sellers must be 18 or over.
  • Business sellers show their address, company details and pet-selling licence to buyers. Seller ratings run from 0 to 100: +1 for each positive feedback, −1 for each negative.
  • The site includes a free community species wiki with care guides (water parameters, tank size, diet, temperament, breeding).
  • Aquatic-Auctions is run by Etavonni Tech Limited trading as Aquatic-Auctions (company number 10204188), Aldershot, Hampshire, UK. Contact: [email protected].