Product Details

Duplicate Cory – Hoplisoma duplicareum

The Duplicate Cory is a beautiful small cory-type catfish with a pale body, orange head patch and bold black dorsal band. Correctly listed as Hoplisoma duplicareum, this species was long known in the trade as Corydoras duplicareus and is often compared with Adolfo’s Cory. It is a peaceful bottom-dweller for mature soft-water aquariums, where it should be kept in a proper group over soft sand with clean, well-oxygenated water.

Key Identification:

Common Name: Duplicate Cory
Other Names: Duplicareus Cory, Broad Stripe Cory, Corydoras duplicareus, Corydoras duplicareum
Scientific Name: Hoplisoma duplicareum
Older / Trade Name: Corydoras duplicareus
Fish Type: Cory-type Catfish / Callichthyid Catfish
Water Type: Freshwater

Natural Range & Habitat:

Hoplisoma duplicareum is native to South America, where it is known from the upper Rio Negro basin. This region is associated with soft, acidic waters, shaded forest streams, sandy substrates, leaf litter and submerged wood.

In the aquarium, Duplicate Corys should be kept in a mature setup with soft sand or very smooth fine substrate, shaded resting areas, wood, plants and open feeding patches. Clean, oxygen-rich water is important, and the substrate should allow natural foraging without damaging the barbels.

Appearance & Adult Size:

Duplicate Corys have a pale cream to pinkish body, a warm orange or golden patch behind the head, and a strong black band running over the back and through the dorsal area. The black marking is usually broader than that seen on Adolfo’s Cory, which is one of the easiest visual clues for separating the two in the trade.

Adults usually reach around 4–5 cm, with females often fuller-bodied than males. Males are generally slimmer and slightly smaller, especially when viewed from above.

Aquarium Suitability:

This species is best suited to mature peaceful community aquariums, soft-water planted displays and specialist Cory-type groups. It does best with soft substrate, stable water quality, gentle to moderate flow and calm tank mates that allow food to reach the bottom.

Duplicate Corys are not suitable for sharp gravel, aggressive cichlid tanks, predator aquariums, tiny nano tanks, immature aquariums or setups with poor water quality. They should not be sold simply as scavengers and must receive a proper sinking diet.

Recommended Aquarium Size:

A practical minimum is 75–90 litres for a small group, with a tank length of at least 60–75 cm recommended. Larger aquariums of 90–120 litres or more are preferred for bigger groups and mixed communities.

Keep in a group of at least 5–6, with larger groups preferred where space allows. Cory-type catfish are social and become more confident, active and natural when kept with their own kind.

Water Conditions:

Temperature: 22–26°C
pH: 5.5–7.2
Hardness: Soft to moderately soft preferred
Additional Notes: Duplicate Corys are best maintained in clean, stable, soft-water conditions. Avoid high nitrate, dirty compacted substrate, sharp gravel and sudden water-chemistry changes. Soft sand is strongly recommended to protect the barbels and encourage natural foraging.

Temperament & Tank Mates:

Aquarium Category: Community Fish

Duplicate Corys are peaceful bottom-dwelling community fish. Suitable tank mates include small peaceful tetras, pencilfish, rasboras, dwarf cichlids with care, Otocinclus, small peaceful plecs and other calm community fish that enjoy similar soft-water conditions.

Avoid large predators, aggressive cichlids, rough bottom dwellers, severe fin-nippers and very boisterous feeders that prevent food from reaching the substrate. They should not be kept singly or in pairs, as this can make them shy and reduce natural behaviour.

Feeding:

Duplicate Corys are omnivorous bottom feeders and need a varied sinking diet. Offer quality sinking catfish pellets, soft granules, bottom-feeder tablets and small wafers as the staple diet. Supplement with frozen or live foods such as bloodworm, daphnia, cyclops, brineshrimp, tubifex, grindal worm and finely chopped earthworm.

They will search the substrate for food, but they must not be expected to survive on scraps. Make sure food reaches the bottom, especially when kept with fast midwater feeders.

Behaviour in the Aquarium:

This species spends much of its time foraging over sand, exploring shaded areas and resting under plants or wood. In a proper group, Duplicate Corys are social, active and more visible once settled. Like other callichthyid catfish, they may occasionally dart to the surface to gulp air, which is normal behaviour.

Spawning may occur in well-conditioned groups after good feeding and clean water changes. Eggs are usually placed on glass, plants or décor, and adults do not provide long-term parental care.

Care Notes:

Add Duplicate Corys only to a mature, fully cycled aquarium. Provide soft sand, shaded cover, good oxygenation and regular water changes. This species can be prone to barbel damage or erosion if kept on dirty gravel or rough substrate, so substrate choice and cleanliness are especially important.

Because this species is often confused with Adolfo’s Cory, stock should be checked for the broader black dorsal band and deeper body shape where accurate labelling matters.

Recommended For:

Intermediate

Availability:

Occasional / Specialist import or captive-bred when available

Image Disclaimer:

All images are a visual representation of the fish you will receive, made to be as accurate as possible. Natural variation in size, orange head patch, black band width, body tone, sex and markings can occur between individual fish.