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s we deliver the April factsheet of 2021 we have the grand total of 169 CW numbers and one of my favorites is CW030 from the Rio Branco drainage in Brazil. Why do I like it?. It is unique in its markings and you can not confuse it with any other species in this genera. It may not have the flash colour markings of say Osteogaster eques or the subtle colours of Hoplisoma concolor but to me it has always been a very pretty species.

Hoplisoma sp. (CW030)

For any new hobbyists to the world of Corydoras I will explain the CW system which was implemented by Ian Fuller of Corydoras World and is internet based.

The German magazine DATZ stopped the C number coding system with C159 but there were still unidentified species still arriving in the hobby so in 2006 Ian Fuller who runs the Corydoradinae website, www.corydorasworld.com decided to carry on with this same coding method with his CW (Corydorasworld) numbers. The latest number as of April 2021 is CW169.

The CW number system is mainly internet based and is published through his site. When any CW number is described the corresponding number will be retired.

Hoplisoma sp. (CW030) - young male

Hoplisoma sp. (CW030) - 1 month: 9.5mm. SL

Information on the Lineage system: In 2005 the book Identifying Corydoradinae Catfish by Ian A. M. Fuller and Hans-Georg Evers (2005) was published and at that time little was known about the relationships among different species in the Callichthyidae as a whole and even less was known about the relationships among the Corydoradinae. This was changed in 2011 with the publication of the molecular phylogeny of the group: Evolution, Ecology and Taxonomy of the Corydoradinae revisited: Markos A Alexandrou & Martin I Taylor (2011), which was published in the follow up book in 2011, Identifying Corydoradinae Catfish Supplement 1. Our factsheet species resides in Lineage 9.

A total of 200 preserved individuals, representing over 120 different species (including all mimetic taxa), were photographed and used for digital landmark-based morphometric analysis of body shape. To find out all of the lineages just click this link. To see all the species in their designated lineage visit this link.

Distrbution: South America. Brazil, Roraima, near Boa Vista. Rio Branco drainage.

CW030, Corydoras sp. Vitoria'

None

Corydoradinae

South America: Brazil, Roraima, near Boa Vista. Rio Branco drainage and close to the border with Guyana.

Male: 4.0cm (1½ins) Female: 4.5cm (1¾ins)

20-25°C (67-77°F)

Short and compact with a short snout.

Depending on water parameters, yellowish to silver/grey body with a black colouration to the dorsal spine which carries on onto the nape of the neck to the begging of the eye. The eye can have a black ring encircling it. The top half of the body and head can have very fine spots. Juveniles have blotches and spots to the body which disappears into adulthood. All fins are hyaline.

This is akin to most of this genus, very peaceful, and would be best housed with small to medium sized tankmates such as Tetras, Rasboras and Danios or in a species tank for breeding purposes. Best to purchase 6 individuals or more as they will be happier in a group.

Has been bred in aquarium conditions by Ian Fuller of Corydorasworld.com by lowering the pH to around 6 with twice weekly water changes and with a temperature of 24.4°C (76°F). They laid their eggs onto the underside of Anubias leaves with a few on polyester spawning mops (Fuller, I.A.M. 2009). To see all the Corydoras breeding articles visit this link.

Females are stockier in the body with rounder anal fins. Males are slimmer with pointed anal fins.

Readily accepts a mixed and varied diet which includes granular foods, tablet food, frozen and live bloodworm, whiteworm, Daphnia and a good quality flake.

Anal fin: The median, unpaired, ventrally located fin that lies behind the anus, usually on the posterior half of the fish.
Dorsal fin: The primary rayed fin(s) on top of the body.
Hyaline: Transparent or clear without pigment.

Hoplisoma: hóplon, shield or armor; soma, body, referring to bony plates on sides.

Alexandrou, Markos & Taylor, Martin. (2011). Evolution, ecology and taxonomy of the Corydoradinae revisited.
Fuller, Ian A. M. pers comm. March 2021.
Ian A. M. Fuller & Hans-Georg Evers (2011). Identifying Corydoradinae Catfish Supplement 1. Ian Fuller Enterprises.
Ian A. M. Fuller (2012). Breeding Corydoradinae Catfish, Second edition. Ian Fuller Enterprises. 373p.
www.corydorasworld.com

Photo Credits

© Allan James @ 
© Ian Fuller @
Map: Google maps 2021.