Hoplisoma panda
Panda Corydoras
Scientific Classification
Kingdom:Animalia
Phylum:Chordata
Class:Actinopterygii
Order:Actinopterygii
Family:Callichthyidae
Genus:Hoplisoma
Species:panda
IUCN Status:Not Evaluated
Quick Stats
Difficulty
Medium
Environment
Freshwater
Temperature
20°C - 25°C
pH Level
6 - 7.4
Water Hardness
36 - 215 ppm
Lifespan
5 years
Origin
South America
Adult Size
4 - 5 cm
Diet
Omnivore
Creature Type
Fish
TDS
250 ppm
Water Flow
Low Flow
Aquarium Building Information
Minimum Tank Size
40L
Swimming Zone
bottom
Minimum School Size
6+
Oxygen Consumption
Low
Waste Production
Low
Metabolism Rate
Low
Activity Level
Active
Feeding Frequency
Daily
Food Types
Sinking Pellets
Wafers
Frozen Food
Live Food
Flakes
About This Species
Basic Description
The Panda Corydoras is a charming and peaceful bottom-dwelling fish, easily recognized by its creamy-white body and distinct black patches over the eyes and on its tail, resembling a tiny panda. These active little catfish are a delight to watch as they constantly sift through the bottom of the tank in search of food. They are social creatures and feel most secure in a group, so you should always keep them in a school to see their best behavior. Because they have sensitive whiskers, called barbels, which they use to find food, they need a soft, sandy substrate in their tank to prevent injury. They are not picky eaters but require sinking foods that can reach them at the bottom. While they help clean up leftover food, they need their own dedicated meals to stay healthy. They can sometimes be seen darting to the surface for a gulp of air; this is a normal and fascinating behavior. Their small size and peaceful nature make them a wonderful addition to many community aquariums. They are considered moderately easy to care for, making them suitable for aquarists who have some basic experience and can provide stable water conditions.
Detailed Description
Hailing from the clear, slow-moving river systems of South America, the Panda Corydoras (Hoplisoma panda) is a highly sought-after species in the aquarium hobby. For a proper habitat, an aquarium with a soft sand or fine, rounded gravel substrate is essential. Sharp gravel can damage their delicate barbels, leading to infection and an inability to forage effectively. They appreciate a well-planted tank with plenty of driftwood, caves, and leaf litter to provide hiding spots and security, mimicking their natural environment. The low water flow setting recreates the gentle currents of the pools and tributaries they inhabit. While they contribute to a tank's cleanup crew by consuming biofilm and leftover food, they are not simply janitors. A varied, omnivorous diet is crucial for their long-term health. This should consist of high-quality sinking pellets or wafers as a staple, supplemented regularly with frozen or live foods like bloodworms, daphnia, and brine shrimp. They are obligate shoalers and must be kept in groups of at least six. In a group, they display confident, active behavior, often exploring the tank together. Solitary individuals become stressed, shy, and susceptible to illness. Their peaceful temperament makes them ideal tank mates for other small, non-aggressive species like tetras, rasboras, and dwarf cichlids. A fascinating characteristic is their ability to breathe atmospheric air. They possess a modified, highly vascularized intestine that allows them to absorb oxygen from air gulped at the surface. This is an adaptation to occasional low-oxygen conditions in their natural habitat and is why they are sometimes seen making a quick dash to the surface. Breeding can be moderately challenging but is achievable. It is often triggered by performing a large water change with slightly cooler water, simulating the onset of the rainy season. They are egg-scatterers, typically depositing adhesive eggs on tank glass, plant leaves, or spawning mops. The parents exhibit no parental care and will predate on the eggs, so it's recommended to move the eggs to a separate rearing tank for a successful hatch.
Scientific Description
First described by Nijssen & Isbrücker in 1971, Hoplisoma panda is a small species within the family Callichthyidae. It was formerly classified under the genus Corydoras but has since been reclassified into Hoplisoma based on recent phylogenetic studies. The species epithet panda is a direct reference to its distinct coloration, which features prominent black markings around the ocular region and on the caudal peduncle, reminiscent of the Giant Panda. Morphologically, H. panda exhibits the typical characteristics of its genus: a body armored with two rows of overlapping bony plates known as scutes, a ventrally-flattened profile suited for its benthopelagic lifestyle, and a subterminal mouth equipped with sensitive barbels used for chemoreception and locating food within the substrate. A key physiological adaptation is its capacity for facultative aerial respiration. This is achieved via a modified and highly vascularized posterior intestine, allowing the fish to supplement its gill-based respiration by swallowing atmospheric air at the water's surface. This adaptation grants it a survival advantage in its native habitats, which may experience periods of hypoxia. Its natural distribution is primarily the upper Amazon basin, specifically the Río Ucayali drainage in Peru. It inhabits clear, slow-flowing waters with sandy substrates, often rich in detritus and leaf litter, which provide both sustenance and cover. Reproduction in captivity is often spurred by environmental triggers mimicking seasonal changes, such as a drop in temperature and barometric pressure simulated by a large, cool water change. Spawning behavior involves the characteristic 'T-position' common in the Corydoradinae subfamily, where the female ingests the male's milt to fertilize the eggs as they are deposited. The eggs are adhesive and are typically scattered on various surfaces. From a conservation standpoint, H. panda is listed as Not Evaluated (NE) by the IUCN. The vast majority of specimens available in the aquarium trade are commercially bred, which significantly reduces collection pressure on wild populations and ensures the species' availability for aquarists.
