{"product_id":"similis-corydoras-hoplisoma-similis","title":"Similis Corydoras | Hoplisoma similis","description":"\u003ch2\u003eDescription\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe Similis or Violet Cory is a subtly beautiful little catfish carrying a soft purple-violet sheen and a neat dark blotch on the tail base. A peaceful, easygoing shoaler that stays small at around 5–6 cm, it is a little different from the everyday corys and makes a charming, busy addition to a soft-water community.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eNatural Habitat\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eHoplisoma similis (formerly Corydoras similis) comes from the Madeira river system in the Amazon basin of Brazil, where it lives over soft sandy substrates in slow, clear to slightly stained tributaries and pools, sifting the bottom for food among leaf litter and roots.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eAppearance\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eA rounded, armour-plated body of pale tan to greyish is peppered with fine spotting and, in mature fish, washed with a lovely violet iridescence over the flanks. A distinctive dark \"smudge\" spot marks the base of the tail. Its short barbels and downturned mouth are perfectly suited to sifting sand.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eTemperament and Compatibility\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eVery peaceful and sociable, it should be kept in a group of six or more to feel secure and behave naturally. It suits a community of other peaceful fish — small tetras, rasboras, dwarf cichlids, gouramis and other corys — and spends its time busily foraging along the bottom.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eFeeding\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eAn omnivorous bottom-forager. Offer sinking pellets and wafers as a staple, plus small frozen and live foods such as bloodworm, tubifex and baby brine shrimp. Make sure enough food reaches the bottom past faster mid-water fish so the corys get their share.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eCare Requirements\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eProvide a minimum of around 75 L for a group. Keep temperature at 20–27 °C, pH 5.5–7.2 and soft to moderately soft water. A soft sand substrate is important — gravel can wear down and damage the delicate barbels, leading to infection. Like all corydoras, it gulps air from the surface using its intestine, so leave a small gap between the water and the lid. It is plant safe.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eBreeding\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eAn egg-depositing species that spawns in the classic corydoras \"T-position\", with the female carrying fertilised eggs in her clasped pelvic fins and placing them on plants, glass and décor. A conditioned group, sometimes triggered by a cooler water change, will spawn; eggs are best moved to a rearing tank away from hungry adults and the fry raised on fine foods.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eSpecies Information\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003ctable\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eScientific Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eHoplisoma similis (formerly Corydoras similis)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCommon Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSimilis Cory, Violet Cory, Smudge-spot Cory\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOrigin\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBrazil (Madeira river system, Amazon basin)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMaximum Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAround 5–6 cm\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLifespan\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e5–8 years with good care\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTemperament\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePeaceful (schooling)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDifficulty\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBeginner\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMinimum Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e75 L\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRecommended Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e100 L or larger\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDiet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOmnivore (bottom): sinking pellets, wafers, small frozen and live foods\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWater Temperature\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e20–27 °C\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003epH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e5.5–7.2\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSoft to moderately soft, around 2–12 dGH\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSalinity\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot applicable (freshwater)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSuitable For\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSoft-water planted community aquariums\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eReef Safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot applicable\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePlant Safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eYes\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003c\/table\u003e \u003ch2\u003eSuitable Tank Mates\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eSuitable tank mates include small tetras, rasboras, danios, dwarf cichlids, gouramis, other corydoras and small peaceful catfish.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eAvoid Keeping With\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eAvoid keeping with large or aggressive fish that may bully or eat them, and with fish requiring hard, alkaline water. Avoid sharp gravel substrates, which damage their barbels.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nick's Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","offers":[{"title":"Small (1-5cm)","offer_id":55232801210659,"sku":"AA1496","price":19.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Medium (5-10cm)","offer_id":55232801243427,"sku":null,"price":24.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0972\/7236\/5347\/files\/Similis_Corydoras_b6be4235-373d-4d83-b3d5-45a2f794a8b4.jpg?v=1781698809","url":"https:\/\/nicksaquariumoceanariumterrarium.com.au\/products\/similis-corydoras-hoplisoma-similis","provider":"Nicks Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","version":"1.0","type":"link"}