Product Details

Duplicate Cory – Hoplisoma duplicareum

Overview:

The Duplicate Cory is a beautiful small Cory-type catfish with a creamy body, dark eye mask, orange patch over the head and a bold black dorsal stripe. Very similar to Adolfo’s Cory, this species is especially appreciated by Corydoras enthusiasts for its stronger dark back marking and peaceful group behaviour. Hoplisoma duplicareum, still often sold as Corydoras duplicareus, is best kept in a mature soft-water community aquarium with fine sand, shaded cover and a proper group of its own kind.

Key Identification:

Common Name: Duplicate Cory
Other Names: Broad Stripe Cory, False Adolfo’s Cory, Duplicate Corydoras, Corydoras duplicareus
Scientific Name: Hoplisoma duplicareum
Fish Type: Cory-type Catfish / Armoured Catfish
Water Type: Freshwater

Natural Range & Habitat:

The Duplicate Cory is native to South America, particularly the upper Rio Negro basin in Brazil. FishBase lists the species from the upper Negro River basin, where it is a freshwater, bottom-living catfish. In nature, it is associated with soft, acidic, shaded waters with fine substrates, leaf litter, roots and quiet margins. In the aquarium, it is best treated as a soft-water Cory-type catfish that appreciates clean water, cover and a natural sandy bottom.

Appearance & Adult Size:

Duplicate Corys have a pale cream to beige body with a dark mask through the eye, a warm orange to gold patch across the head and shoulder, and a thick black band running along the upper back. This broad dorsal stripe is one of the key features separating it from the similar Adolfo’s Cory, which usually has a slimmer dark back stripe. Aquarium Glaser notes that H. duplicareum is generally the higher-backed form with the broader dorsal band, while H. adolfoi is slimmer with a narrower band.

Adults are small, usually around 4–5 cm, with FishBase listing a maximum of 4 cm standard length. Females are often fuller-bodied than males when mature.

Aquarium Suitability:

This is an excellent choice for a peaceful, mature community aquarium, especially a planted soft-water setup. Duplicate Corys suit aquariums with fine sand, leaf litter, bogwood, shaded areas and open foraging space. They are not suitable for sharp gravel, rough décor, aggressive tank mates or unstable new aquariums. Their delicate barbels need a clean, soft substrate to prevent wear and infection.

Recommended Aquarium Size:

A practical minimum is 60 litres for a group, with 75–90 litres or more preferred for a larger shoal in a community aquarium. Floor space matters more than height, so choose a tank with a good footprint and plenty of open substrate.

Water Conditions:

Temperature: 22–26°C
pH: 6.0–7.5
Hardness: Soft to moderately hard; soft water preferred
Additional Notes: FishBase gives a range of 22–26°C, pH 6.0–8.0 and hardness 2–25 dH, but this Rio Negro species is best maintained in softer, stable water where possible. Provide gentle to moderate filtration, good oxygenation and regular water changes. Avoid dirty gravel, high nitrate and sudden water changes.

Temperament & Tank Mates:

Aquarium Category: Community Fish

Duplicate Corys are peaceful, social bottom-dwellers and should be kept with calm fish that will not outcompete or harass them. Suitable tank mates include small tetras, pencilfish, rasboras, hatchetfish, Otocinclus, small peaceful plecs, dwarf cichlids in suitable setups and other gentle community species.

Avoid large predatory fish, aggressive cichlids, boisterous bottom-feeders and fin-nipping species. They should be kept in a group of at least 6, with 8 or more strongly preferred. Fishkeeper also recommends keeping this species in groups of five or more due to its shoaling nature.

Feeding:

Duplicate Corys are omnivorous foragers and must be fed directly. Offer fine sinking catfish pellets, small bottom-feeder tablets, micro granules and quality sinking foods as the staple. Supplement with frozen or live foods such as daphnia, cyclops, brineshrimp, bloodworm, tubifex and finely chopped worms. Seriously Fish notes that Cory-type catfish accept sinking dried foods along with small live and frozen foods, which fits this species well. They may eat leftovers, but should never be expected to survive only on scraps.

Behaviour in the Aquarium:

This species spends most of its time on the lower levels, moving in small groups across the substrate and using its barbels to search through sand. It may rest under wood, leaves or plants between feeding sessions. Like many Cory-type catfish, it may occasionally dart to the surface to gulp air, which is normal behaviour. In a settled group, it becomes more confident and may be active throughout the day.

Care Notes:

Use soft sand wherever possible. Fishkeeper specifically warns that this species can be prone to barbel infection or erosion if kept on unsuitable substrates, making soft sand and regular maintenance very important. Add only to a fully cycled, mature aquarium with clean water and low waste levels. Keep in groups, avoid aggressive tank mates and make sure food reaches the bottom. This is a peaceful specialist Cory-type catfish that rewards careful husbandry.

Recommended For:

Beginner to 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, colour, pattern and markings can occur between individual fish.