This is a rare species that
is closely related to Hoplisoma
paleatum. Lineage:
Placed in Lineage 6 which has always been classified
as Corydoras (Lacépède, 1803)
so a new genus would need to be described and a new
type species when a new revision is carried out. As
of the latest revision (Dias
et al 2024) Corydoras micracanthus
has now been placed in Lineage 9 and has the new genus
name of Hoplisoma and a change
to the specific name to micracanthum.Update:
As of the latest revision (Alfonso
et al. 2024) Hoplisoma micracanthum
has still been placed in Lineage 9 but has the new
genus name of Urkumayu. Diet:
A good quality flake food and tablet food for adults
with sporadic feedings of frozen or live food will
keep your Corydoras/Hoplisoma in good health.
Etymology: The genus name Urkumayu:
Comes from the Quechua, combining urku (mountain)
and mayu (river), referring to the habitat of this
species. They are all endemic to the Andean portion
of the northwest of the La Plata basin, Argentina.
The specific name micracanthum: micro-, from
mikrós, small; acanthum, (L.), from ákantha,
thorn, presumably referring to dorsal-fin spine, ½
length of head (compared with several species covered
in same publication with spine as long as or longer
than head). Remarks:As this species is found in the southern
most parts of South America it would need cooler water
temperatures over longer periods. Still
found on some online sources as Corydoras micracanthus,
Hoplisoma micracanthus
or Hoplisoma
micracanthum.
Common
Name:
None
Synonyms:
Corydoras
micracanthus, Hoplisoma
micracanthum
Family:
Callichthyidae
Distribution:
South America:
Western tributaries of Paraná River in Salta,
Argentina.
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