Blushing Adolfo's Hoplisoma

Remarks:  The blushing Adolfo's hoplisoma bears a close resemblance to the traditional Adolfo's hoplisoma (Hoplisoma adolfoi) along with a few other Corydoradinae from the Rio Negro. In fact, they look exactly the same as the traditional Adolfo's hoplisoma with the only visual difference being that the blushing Adolfo's hoplisoma has a clear gill plate revealing the dark red gills underneath making it look like the fish is blushing. Just like their look-a-like, the rest of their appearance consists of a white body, a bright orange spot between their dorsal fin and their eyes, a thick black stripe going down their back and extending up into the dorsal fin, and another black band that runs across their eyes like a mask.

  Blushing Adolfo’s hoplisoma naturally live in extremely soft, acidic waters rich with tannins and will do best in captivity when these conditions are replicated. This can be achieved through the use of an RODI machine as well as the addition of wood and botanicals such as Indian almond leaves. It was previously classified as Corydoras sp. (C121), but was reclassified as Hoplisoma sp. (C121) upon publication of a phylogenomic analysis in 2024 that reclassified many species in the Corydoradinae subfamily.

  Corydoradinae are small, peaceful catfish that are active shoalers and will stay near conspecifics, making for a lovely sight. They feed by searching through sand with their barbels, making such a substrate necessary for their long-term health. Gravel substrates tend to be abrasive and damage the barbels, leading to infections and an inability to find food.

  While these friendly catfish are willing to swim with other species of Corydoradinae different from their own, this does not provide the same social need as being kept with members of their own species. Because of this, it is highly recommended to keep at least six of each species of Corydoradinae present in the aquarium and only mix species if one has the space to keep at least six of each.

  Corydoradinae are often looked at as "scavengers," but they should be treated in a similar fashion as the rest of your fish. They are omnivores and require a mixed diet. Sinking prepared foods are readily accepted, as are frozen and live foods such as brine shrimp, blackworms, and bloodworms.