{"product_id":"longfin-panda-corydoras-hoplisoma-panda","title":"Longfin Panda Corydoras | Hoplisoma panda","description":"\u003ch2\u003eDescription\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe Longfin Panda Corydoras pairs the famous cream body and dark 'panda' eye-patches with soft, flowing fins. Peaceful, endearing and always busy at around 5 cm, this little catfish is happiest snuffling the sand in a shoal of its own kind.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eNatural Habitat\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe Panda Cory comes from cool, clear, fast-flowing foothill streams of the Ucayali river system in Peru, fed by Andean meltwater. That origin matters: it prefers cooler, well-oxygenated water than most tropical fish and dislikes being kept too warm.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eAppearance\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eA rounded, cream-to-pinkish body marked with three dark patches — over the eyes (the 'panda' mask), on the dorsal fin and at the base of the tail. This variety adds long, flowing fins. Armour-plated flanks and sensitive barbels around the mouth for sifting the substrate.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eTemperament and Compatibility\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThoroughly peaceful and gregarious. Panda corys are shoaling fish that must be kept in groups of six or more to feel secure — in numbers they are bold, active and constantly foraging. They mix happily with any calm community fish and never trouble tankmates.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eFeeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eA bottom-feeding omnivore that sifts sand for morsels. Offer sinking pellets and wafers, plus frozen and live foods such as bloodworms, daphnia and brine shrimp. Make sure enough food reaches the bottom past faster mid-water fish — corys should not be left to scavenge scraps alone.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eCare Requirements\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe two essentials are cooler water and a soft, sandy substrate. Keep them at 20–25 °C (they suffer above about 26 °C long-term) in clean, well-oxygenated water. Sand is strongly preferred — sharp gravel wears down their delicate barbels and invites infection. They are more sensitive to nitrate than common corys, so keep up regular water changes. Never let barbels erode through poor substrate or dirty water.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eBreeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eA rewarding egg-layer. Well-conditioned groups spawn after a cool water change that mimics the rainy season, the female carrying eggs in a pouch of her pelvic fins to place on glass and plants. The adults give no care and may eat the eggs, so move eggs or parents. Cool, clean water and live foods are the key triggers.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eSpecies Information\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eScientific Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eHoplisoma panda (formerly Corydoras panda)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCommon Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLongfin Panda Corydoras\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOrigin\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSelectively bred; wild species from the Ucayali system, Peru\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMaximum Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAround 5 cm\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLifespan\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e5–10 years\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTemperament\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePeaceful (shoaling)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDifficulty\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBeginner–Intermediate (needs cooler, clean water)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMinimum Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e60 litres\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRecommended Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e75 litres or more\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDiet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOmnivore (sinking foods, sifts sand)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWater Temperature\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e20–25 °C\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003epH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e6.0–7.2\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e2–15 dGH (soft to moderately hard)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSalinity\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot applicable (freshwater)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSuitable For\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBeginners; cooler, soft-substrate community tanks\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eReef Safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot applicable\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePlant Safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eYes\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\u003ch2\u003eSuitable Tank Mates\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003ePeaceful, cooler-water community fish: tetras, rasboras, danios, white cloud mountain minnows, small peaceful barbs, honey and dwarf gouramis, and other Corydoras. Keep in a shoal of six or more.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eAvoid Keeping With\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eLarge or aggressive fish, anything that stays warm above ~26 °C long-term, and sharp-gravel substrates that damage their barbels. Avoid boisterous fin-nippers that target the long fins.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nick's Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","offers":[{"title":"Small (1-5cm)","offer_id":55232802881827,"sku":"AA2407","price":14.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0972\/7236\/5347\/files\/Longfin_Panda_Corydoras_8eba6cb8-0371-43c9-9a72-db69ddc4fb30.jpg?v=1781698798","url":"https:\/\/nicksaquariumoceanariumterrarium.com.au\/products\/longfin-panda-corydoras-hoplisoma-panda","provider":"Nicks Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","version":"1.0","type":"link"}