From Aqua Guide, the free encyclopedia
Panda Corydoras
Hoplisoma panda
- Temperature
- 22–25 °C
- pH
- 6 – 7.4
- Min. tank size
- 60 L
- Lifespan
- 10 years
- Diet
- omnivore
- Care level
- moderate
Near Threatened 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 panda |
| Family: | Callichthyidae |
| Origin: | South America (Ucayali river system, Peru) |
| Care Characteristics | |
| Care Level: | moderate |
| Diet: | omnivore |
| Max Size: | 5.00 cm |
| Water Type: | freshwater |
| Temp Group: | subtropical |
| Temperament: | peaceful |
| Min Group: | 6+ together |
| Varieties: | No established colour strains — the panda pattern is the fish, and there is nothing to improve on. Long-finned panda corydoras appear occasionally and are line-bred rather than distinct. As with every long-finned strain, extended fins on a bottom-dwelling forager are an impediment. Albino pandas are sometimes advertised. They are rare, and the name is close to meaningless given that the entire appeal of the fish is the black markings. Virtually all fish entering the trade are produced commercially on farms, mostly in Eastern Europe and the Far East. Wild-caught pandas are occasionally imported and are less adaptable in terms of water chemistry — the captive-bred fish are the better buy here, which is not always the case. Several similar-looking corydoras are sold alongside it and are separate species: the false panda cory and various regional forms appear under C-numbers, and the peppered, julii, three-stripe and sterba's corys are all different fish with different requirements — sterba's in particular tolerates warmer water and is the better choice for a warm tank, though its own ceiling is 28 °C (82 °F). |
| Lifespan: | 10 years |
Quick Tips
- Bioload:Low
- Min Tank:60 L
- Substrate:Soft sand (essential to protect barbels)
- Plant Safe:Plant-safe
- Filtration:Moderate
Panda Corydoras (Hoplisoma panda) is a species of fish in the family Callichthyidae. It is native to South America (Ucayali river system, Peru). The panda cory is the prettiest of the common corydoras and the one most often killed by kindness — specifically by being kept too warm. It comes from the Ucayali river system in Peru and reaches 50 mm standard length. The markings give it the name: a pale cream body with a black patch over the eye, a black dorsal fin and a black blotch at the tail base. The temperature is the thing to get right. Specialists give 22–25 °C (72–77 °F) and state plainly that it will not do well kept warmer than that long-term, with the likelihood its lifespan will be reduced considerably. Most tropical community tanks run at 25–27 °C (77–81 °F), which is above this fish's comfortable range. It was wildly expensive when it first reached the hobby in the late 1970s. It is now mass-produced and cheap, and the captive-bred fish are generally more hardy and adaptable than wild ones.
Compatibility
- Temperament
- peaceful
- Keep in
- Groups of 6+
- Swims
- bottom
- Fin nipper
- No
- Delicate fins
- No
Species similar to Panda Corydoras
Matched on family, then category, then water type