Bandit Cory (Hoplisoma melini)

Bandit Cory (Hoplisoma melini) is a peaceful shoaling cory catfish from the upper Negro and Meta river systems. It is also widely known in the aquarium trade as Corydoras melini.

This listing covers the 3.5-4 cm size, with a smaller size also shown in the size selector.

Bandit Cory is best treated as a softwater community bottom-dweller, not as a clean-up tool. The fish needs a mature aquarium, a clean soft substrate and enough companions of its own kind to feel secure. In the right setup, a group will patrol the open sand, sift constantly and use shaded wood or planting as resting cover.

Quick facts

Why this cory needs a soft bottom

Like other cory cats, Bandit Cory feeds by probing and sifting across the substrate. Sharp gravel, compacted waste and dirty pockets around decor can damage the barbels and lead to infections. Fine sand is strongly preferred because it lets the fish forage naturally and makes it easier for you to see uneaten food.

Keep the bottom open enough for a group to move together. Driftwood, smooth stones, shaded planting and leaf-litter-style cover can all work well, but avoid a crowded base where food disappears under hardscape. A clean feeding lane at the front of the aquarium makes daily checks much easier.

Water parameters and aquarium planning

For a practical home aquarium, stability is more important than chasing an exact blackwater number every day. Use regular partial water changes, gentle filtration and a substrate you can keep clean. If your tap water is moderately hard, avoid sudden chemical swings; if you soften water, do it consistently and make changes slowly.

Floating plants, wood and shaded corners help the group behave naturally, but the aquarium should still have open sand where you can observe feeding. Corys that hide constantly, breathe hard or lose barbel length are usually telling you that the group size, tank mates, substrate cleanliness or water stability needs attention.

Group behaviour and tank mates

Keep Bandit Cory in a proper group. One or two fish often hide, breathe nervously or miss food, while a settled group is far more confident and visible. Peaceful midwater fish such as small tetras, pencilfish and rasboras can help the group feel secure because they show that the open water is safe.

Avoid large predatory fish, boisterous cichlids, aggressive bottom dwellers and fast feeders that take all sinking foods before the corys can reach them. If the aquarium is busy at feeding time, feed the top and middle first, then add sinking food once the rush has passed.

Feeding

Offer sinking catfish pellets, fine granules and a varied mix of frozen or live foods such as bloodworm, white mosquito larvae, daphnia and brineshrimp. Bandit Cory will browse constantly, but it still needs direct feeding; leftovers from other fish are not a reliable diet.

Feed modest portions and watch body shape. A healthy cory should not look pinched behind the head, and uneaten food should not remain in the sand after feeding.

Identification notes

Hoplisoma melini is often confused with H. metae and H. davidsandsi. The dark diagonal stripe, mask and how the stripe continues or divides across the back are useful clues, but identification requires care because similar corys are easy to mix up in trade photos. The familiar trade name is Bandit Corydoras / Corydoras melini.

The common name can be confusing because several corys wear a dark facial mask. The fish is commonly known as Bandit Corydoras or Corydoras melini, while newer references may show Hoplisoma melini.

Care checklist before ordering

Breeding notes

Bandit Cory has been bred in aquariums. Mature pairs may respond to a large, slightly cooler water change, then lay adhesive eggs on glass, plants or decor. Eggs can be fungus-prone, so breeders often move them to a separate rearing container and keep the water very clean. Fry need tiny first foods before moving on to newly hatched brineshrimp.

Arrival and acclimation

Orders are packed for livestock transport through a licensed live-animal courier process and eligible orders are covered by our Live Arrival Guarantee. On arrival, keep lights low, acclimate slowly, and avoid heavy feeding on the first day. Watch breathing, posture, barbel condition and appetite during the first week.

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