Flagtailed Panda Corydoras - Hoplisoma oiapoquensis

Flagtailed Panda Corydoras (Hoplisoma oiapoquense)

The Flagtailed Panda Corydoras, Hoplisoma oiapoquense, is a peaceful and attractive cory-type catfish with a pale body, dark facial markings and a distinctive dark tail-base pattern that gives the species its “flagtailed panda” name. Still widely sold as Corydoras oiapoquensis, this small South American armoured catfish is best suited to mature, clean community aquariums with soft sand, gentle tank mates and a proper group of its own kind. It is a more specialist cory than common bronze or peppered forms, but it is highly rewarding in a calm, well-maintained setup.

Common Name:
Flagtailed Panda Corydoras, Flag-tailed Panda Cory, Flag Tailed Panda Cory, Oiapoque Cory, Oiapoquensis Cory, Corydoras oiapoquensis.

Scientific Name (Latin):
Hoplisoma oiapoquense
Still widely traded as Corydoras oiapoquensis; also listed by FishBase as Hoplisoma oiapoquensis.

Maximum Size:
Up to around 4.5 cm.

Water Type:
Freshwater

Origin / Natural Habitat:
Native to the Oyapock River basin in South America, on the border region of Brazil and French Guiana. It has a restricted known distribution and is associated with freshwater habitats upstream of the first rapids, where it lives close to the substrate. Like other cory-type catfish, it forages along the bottom in areas with clean water, fine sediments, cover and oxygenation.

Water Parameters:
Temperature: 22–26°C
pH Range: 6.0–7.5
Hardness or Salinity: Soft to moderately hard freshwater; adaptable within reason, but best in stable, clean water with good oxygen levels.

Temperament:
Peaceful and sociable. Flagtailed Panda Corydoras should be kept with calm community fish and should not be housed alone. They are gentle bottom-dwellers that can be stressed by aggressive, large or very boisterous tank mates.

Diet:
Omnivorous bottom-feeder. Offer sinking catfish pellets, fine granules, small wafers, frozen bloodworm, daphnia, cyclops, brineshrimp and other small meaty foods. They will sift through the substrate, but should not be expected to survive only on leftover food from fish feeding higher in the aquarium.

Minimum Tank Size:
A minimum of 75 litres is recommended for a small group, with larger aquariums preferred for mixed community setups. A longer footprint is more useful than extra height, as this species spends most of its time on or near the bottom.

Behaviour & Activity:
An active but gentle bottom-level shoaler that spends much of the day searching sand, resting in groups and exploring shaded areas. Keep at least 6 individuals, with 8 or more preferred for better confidence and more natural behaviour. It may occasionally dart to the surface to gulp air, so leave clear access to the water surface.

Aquarium Category:
Community Fish
Suitable with peaceful tetras, rasboras, pencilfish, small barbs, dwarf cichlids with care, gouramis, calm livebearers and other non-aggressive community species. Avoid large predatory fish, aggressive cichlids, fin-nippers, rough bottom-dwellers and any fish large enough to swallow them.

Special Requirements or Care Notes:
Soft sand is strongly recommended to protect the barbels and underside while foraging. Provide plants, driftwood, leaf litter, caves, shaded areas and open sand patches. Keep substrate clean and perform regular partial water changes, as cory-type catfish are sensitive to poor bottom hygiene and unstable water quality. This species is best added to a mature aquarium rather than a new setup. Take care with identification, as similar panda-patterned and banded Corydoradinae species are sometimes confused in trade.

Suitable for:
Intermediate fishkeepers

Availability:
Rare or occasional in trade / Specialist import where relevant

All images are a visual representation of the fish you will receive, made to be as accurate as possible. Please note that Mother Nature is a wonderful thing, and variation in patterns and colours will occur — that is part of the unique beauty of these animals.