From Aqua Guide, the free encyclopedia
Bandit Cory
Hoplisoma metae
- Temperature
- 20–26 °C
- pH
- 6 – 7.5
- Min. tank size
- 72 L
- Lifespan
- 5-8 years
- Diet
- omnivore
- Care level
- moderate
Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List. That describes the wild population — the criteria cover only wild populations inside their natural range, and captive-bred fish are not assessed. Captive-bred stock is widely available and takes nothing from the wild population.
| Scientific classification | |
|---|---|
| Scientific Name: | Hoplisoma metae |
| Family: | Callichthyidae |
| Origin: | South America (Rio Meta basin, Colombia) |
| Care Characteristics | |
| Care Level: | moderate |
| Diet: | omnivore |
| Max Size: | 5.00 cm |
| Water Type: | freshwater |
| Temp Group: | tropical |
| Temperament: | peaceful |
| Min Group: | 6+ together |
| Varieties: | No cultivated strains, and a modest identification question. Corydoras metae is regularly confused with Corydoras melini, the false bandit or diagonal-stripe cory. The distinction is in the dark stripe: in metae it runs along the back and through the dorsal fin before continuing to the tail, while in melini it angles diagonally down across the body toward the lower caudal lobe. Both come from the same part of Colombia, both are sold under the bandit name, and both have essentially the same requirements. Corydoras davidsandsi is a further look-alike. Elsewhere in the genus, the bronze, peppered and albino cories are the hardy, adaptable species for a general community, and the panda cory is the other commonly kept masked species. The 2024 revision of the group split Corydoras into seven genera and placed this species in Hoplisoma, so a shop label still reading Corydoras metae means the same fish. |
| Lifespan: | 5-8 years |
Quick Tips
- Bioload:Low
- Min Tank:72 L
- Substrate:Soft sand (protects barbels)
- Plant Safe:Plant-safe
- Filtration:Moderate
Bandit Cory (Hoplisoma metae) is a species of fish in the family Callichthyidae. It is native to South America (Rio Meta basin, Colombia). The bandit cory takes its name from the black mask across the eyes, which combines with a black stripe running the length of the back to make it one of the more sharply marked small Corydoras. It reaches 50 mm standard length and comes from the Rio Meta drainage in Colombia — hence its other trade name, the Meta cory. It is peaceful, social and needs a group of at least four to six, though more is better. Its requirements are moderate rather than extreme: 20 to 26 °C (68–79 °F), pH 6.0 to 7.5, 5 to 12 dGH, which is easier than the blackwater Corydoras and harder than the fully adaptable bronze. Like all cories it is a facultative air breather, surfacing occasionally to gulp atmospheric oxygen, and its pectoral spines can pierce skin painfully.
Compatibility
- Temperament
- peaceful
- Keep in
- Groups of 6+
- Swims
- bottom
- Fin nipper
- No
- Delicate fins
- No
Species similar to Bandit Cory
Matched on family, then category, then water type