Product Details

Flagtailed Panda Corydoras – Hoplisoma oiapoquensis

The Flagtailed Panda Corydoras is a rare and attractive cory-type catfish with a panda-like facial mask, pale body colour and a distinctive dark tail marking. Also sold as the Flag-tailed Panda Cory, Oiapoque Cory or under the older name Corydoras oiapoquensis, this peaceful species is best suited to mature planted community aquariums with soft sand, gentle tank mates and excellent water quality. It is more unusual than the common Panda Cory and is a superb choice for aquarists wanting a specialist South American bottom-dweller.

Key Identification:

Common Name: Flagtailed Panda Corydoras
Other Names: Flag-tailed Panda Cory, Oiapoque Cory, Oiapoque Panda Cory
Scientific Name: Hoplisoma oiapoquensis
Older / Trade Name: Corydoras oiapoquensis
Fish Type: Cory-type Catfish
Water Type: Freshwater

Natural Range & Habitat:

Hoplisoma oiapoquensis is native to South America, where it is associated with the Oyapock/Oiapoque River basin around the Brazil and French Guiana border region. FishBase notes that it is a localised species and has not been recorded far beyond the area upstream of the first rapids.

In nature, this type of cory catfish lives close to the bottom in clean freshwater habitats, searching through soft sediment, sand and organic matter for small food items. In the aquarium, it should be provided with fine sand, shaded areas, smooth décor, plants and stable water conditions that mimic a calm, mature river-margin environment.

Appearance & Adult Size:

Flagtailed Panda Corydoras have a pale cream to beige body with a dark band through the eye, giving them a panda-like appearance. The species also shows darker markings towards the rear of the body and tail, creating the “flagtailed” look that separates it from more commonly seen panda-style corys.

Adults usually reach around 4–4.5 cm, making this a small but very appealing bottom-dweller. Mature females are normally broader and fuller-bodied than males, especially when viewed from above.

Aquarium Suitability:

This species is best suited to peaceful planted aquariums, South American-style community tanks and specialist cory displays. It should be kept on soft sand so it can forage naturally without damaging its barbels.

Flagtailed Panda Corydoras are not algae eaters and should not be bought as a cleaning fish. They require proper sinking foods, calm tank mates and a mature aquarium with stable water quality. They are less suited to rough, busy or newly set-up community tanks.

Recommended Aquarium Size:

A practical minimum is 70–80 litres for a group, with a tank length of at least 60 cm recommended. A larger aquarium is better for bigger groups or mixed communities.

Keep in a group of at least 6, with 8 or more preferred where space allows. A proper group helps the fish feel secure, improves activity levels and encourages natural foraging behaviour.

Water Conditions:

Temperature: 22–26°C
pH: 6.0–7.2
Hardness: Soft to moderately hard
Additional Notes: Clean, stable water is important. Provide good oxygenation, gentle to moderate flow and a soft sand substrate. Avoid sharp gravel, dirty substrate, unstable new aquariums and very hard alkaline water where possible.

Temperament & Tank Mates:

Aquarium Category: Community Fish

Flagtailed Panda Corydoras are peaceful, social bottom-dwellers. Suitable tank mates include small tetras, pencilfish, rasboras, peaceful dwarf cichlids, small gourami, Otocinclus and other calm community fish that enjoy similar water conditions.

Avoid large predators, aggressive cichlids, fin-nipping species, boisterous barbs and very competitive bottom feeders. They should not be kept singly or in pairs, as low numbers often make them shy and less active.

Feeding:

Flagtailed Panda Corydoras are omnivorous micro-foragers. Offer quality sinking catfish pellets, small sinking granules and fine wafers as the staple diet. Supplement with frozen or live foods such as bloodworm, daphnia, cyclops, brineshrimp and tubifex.

They will search through the substrate for food, but they must not be expected to live on leftovers alone. In busy aquariums, feed sinking foods after the main lights dim to make sure the group receives enough.

Behaviour in the Aquarium:

This species spends most of its time on the lower levels of the aquarium, foraging across sand, resting in shaded areas and moving in loose groups. When settled, Flagtailed Panda Corydoras become more confident and may be seen exploring the foreground together.

Like other cory-type catfish, they may occasionally dart to the surface to take a gulp of air. This is normal behaviour, but repeated frantic surface visits can indicate poor oxygenation or water quality issues.

Care Notes:

Keep this species in a proper group and use fine sand rather than sharp gravel. Add only to a mature, fully cycled aquarium with clean, stable water and peaceful tank mates.

This is a more specialist cory-type catfish and should not be placed in rough community tanks where it may struggle to feed. Regular water changes, good oxygenation and targeted sinking foods are important for long-term success.

Recommended For:

Intermediate

Availability:

Rare to occasional / Usually specialist import, with captive-bred stock sometimes 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, body tone and markings can occur between individual fish.