All fish / Callichthyidae

Diphyes Cory

Hoplisoma diphyes

Also known as diphyes corydoras, diphyes catfish, corydoras diphyes, hoplisoma diphyes, paraguay cory, コリドラス・ディフィエス, 双斑鼠鱼

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This is a small armoured catfish with a pale greyish body, a dark lateral stripe or row of blotches, and fine spotting. It comes from cooler subtropical streams in Paraguay and is kept by Corydoras enthusiasts for its lively shoaling behaviour and relative rarity in the trade.

Care at a glance

Care level

Moderate

Temperament

Peaceful

Adult size

5 cm

Temperature

20 to 25 °C

pH

6 to 7.5

Smallest tank

60 litres

Keep as

Group of 6 or more

Diet

Omnivore: sinking pellets and wafers, frozen bloodworm, daphnia and brine shrimp

Swims

Bottom of the tank

Lifespan

5 to 10 years

Water

Freshwater

Wild range

Upper Paraná basin, Paraguay (Río Monday and Acaray tributaries)

Breeding

It lays eggs in the typical Corydoras way: the pair takes up the T-position and the female sticks the eggs to glass or plants. A cool water change often triggers spawning, and it has been bred in captivity, though not often.

Good to know

It prefers slightly cooler water than many tropical Corydoras, so avoid keeping it warm for long periods. Use soft sand so the barbels do not get damaged. Many Corydoras species were recently moved to the genus Hoplisoma.