Not furry, but we like them anyway.
Adolfo's Corydoras
Hoplisoma adolfoi (Burgess, 1982); long known as Corydoras adolfoi
Also called Adolfo's cory, Adolfo's catfish, Corydoras adolfoi (former name)
From Upper Rio Negro basin near Sao Gabriel da Cachoeira, Brazil, apparently in a very small area; possibly also the Rio Uaupes (Vaupes).123
A friendly guide, not veterinary advice. For anything about your pet's health, ask your vet.
At a glance the quick version
Looks how to spot one
Armoured catfish (bony plates, no scales)
A bright, pale-bodied cory with a dark bar running along the top of the back and a vivid orange to red patch on the nape just in front of the dorsal fin. The snout is fairly short. Females grow larger and rounder than males.12
Personality what they are like
Peaceful and social, spending its time sifting the substrate with others of its kind and mixing well with calm, small tankmates.1
Daily activity how busy a day looks
A busy bottom forager, active along the floor of the tank.12
Grooming and care the hands-on bits
Keep soft sand, very clean water and regular partial water changes; it comes from soft blackwater habitats.1
Home where they are happiest
Soft, acidic water suits it: 20 to 26 C, pH about 4.0 to 7.0 and hardness 1 to 5 dGH per Seriously Fish (FishBase gives a wider pH 6.0 to 8.0). A sandy floor, leaf litter and gentle lighting resemble its home waters.13
Food basics what goes in the bowl
Foraging omnivore. Sinking dried foods plus bloodworm and other small live or frozen foods; wild fish eat worms, small crustaceans, insects and plant matter.12
Company who they like around
Keep at least four to six together.1
The story where it all began
Warren Burgess described this species in 1982 and named it after the famous Amazon fish collector and exporter Adolfo Schwartz, who first found it in the Rio Negro and brought it to aquarists. It now belongs to the genus Hoplisoma.123
Fun facts for the dinner table
- 1
Both its common and scientific names honour the collector Adolfo Schwartz.2
- 2
It lays only one or two fairly large eggs, about 2 mm across, at a time, sticking them to plants or stones.2
- 3
At about 26 C the eggs hatch in four days, and the fry start feeding about four days later.2
- 4
It is easily confused with Corydoras duplicareus, a very similar orange-patched cory.1
Recognised by the official bits
- IUCN Red List
- Least Concern (assessed 8 October 2020)3
- Taxonomy
- Moved from Corydoras to the genus Hoplisoma in the 2025 revision2
- Family
- Callichthyidae (armoured catfishes), subfamily Corydoradinae2
The care rhythm Furry Diary remembers it for you
A typical home-care rhythm for a Adolfo's Corydoras. It is our own starting plan, not a vet's advice, and you can change every line in the app.
- FeedingSmall amounts once or twice a dayevery day
- Temperature checkevery day
- Water changeAbout 25% of the waterevery week
- Water testevery week
- Glass cleanevery week
- Filter rinseRinse in old tank water, never tap waterevery month
Owner questions the things everyone asks
How often should I feed my Adolfo's Corydoras?
Feed small amounts once or twice a day, as Furry Diary's starting plan suggests. These bottom foragers will sift the sand for leftovers, so avoid overfeeding.1 Furry Diary plan
What does an Adolfo's Corydoras eat, and what should it never eat?
They are omnivores that enjoy sinking dried foods plus bloodworm and other small live or frozen foods. Never feed them large, floating foods or anything that could foul the water quickly.12
How much space does an Adolfo's Corydoras need?
A group of four to six needs a tank of at least 20 gallons (75 liters) to allow plenty of floor space for foraging. More space is always better for these active bottom dwellers.1
What temperature, light or water does an Adolfo's Corydoras need?
Keep water soft and acidic: 20 to 26°C, pH 4.0 to 7.0, hardness 1 to 5 dGH. Gentle lighting and a sandy floor with leaf litter mimic their blackwater home.13
How often should I clean an Adolfo's Corydoras's home?
Furry Diary's plan suggests a weekly 25% water change, plus weekly glass cleaning and water testing. Rinse the filter monthly in old tank water, never tap water. Furry Diary plan
Can an Adolfo's Corydoras live with others?
Yes, they are peaceful and social, best kept in groups of four to six. They mix well with calm, small tankmates that won't outcompete them for food.1
How long does an Adolfo's Corydoras live?
With good care, they can live for several years, but exact lifespan varies. Ask a good breeder or exotic-pet vet for more specific guidance.
Can I handle an Adolfo's Corydoras?
It's best not to handle them; they have bony plates and no scales, and handling can stress or injure them. Enjoy watching them sift the sand instead.12
Written from the sources on this page, a few checked guides (VCA, ASPCA, RSPCA) and Furry Diary's own starting care plan. A friendly guide, not a vet's advice.
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Where this comes from
Every breed page shows where each fact comes from. If we got something wrong, sorry, we are pet people, not a science magazine. Tell us at [email protected] and we will fix it.
- Seriously Fish: Corydoras adolfoi seriouslyfish.comused for care, size, colour, behaviour, history
- Wikipedia: Adolfo's catfish en.wikipedia.orgused for taxonomy, etymology, distribution, breeding
- FishBase: Hoplisoma adolfoi fishbase.seused for valid name, length, water parameters, IUCN status
- VCA Animal Hospitals: Feeding times and frequency for your dog vcahospitals.comused for owner questions
- ASPCA: Dog grooming tips aspca.orgused for owner questions
- ASPCA: Cat grooming tips aspca.orgused for owner questions
- ASPCA: People foods to avoid feeding your pets aspca.orgused for owner questions
- RSPCA: What to feed your rabbit rspca.org.ukused for owner questions
Checked 2026-09-30. Text is written in our own words from these sources.