Article © Julian Dignall, uploaded January 01, 1997.

This species is special to me as it was one of the first Corydoras I kept. Corydoras are, as a genus, the most commonly kept aquarium catfish and quite deservedly so. Their behaviour is impeccable and they are, as catfish go, not afraid of light. There is little in our hobby more enchanting than a few dozen strong shoal of Corydoras swimming en masse.

I chose this fish to be the first Corydoras Catfish of the Month because to me it is the "classic" Cory. Not especially common, it's a find but not a rareity. It's characteristically short and stubby, relatively undemanding and occasionally confused with a few other species just to add a little spice and that lingering double check from the experienced local fish shop browser. From time to time rare or unusual Corydoras species appear amongst shipments of wild caught Corydoras. This is true of tankfuls of C. metae where you can sometimes find a real bargain.

On the subject of identity confusion (of which there is plenty with Corydoras), C. metae is often confused with C. melini (which has an unbroken black stripe from dorsal to caudal fins, C. metae has no colour on its caudal fin or mid-body flanks) and occasionally C. davidsandsi (Lighter, more orange basic colouration and slightly more elongate body). There is also an "imitator" long-snouted species (C. simulatus) which is a real find. Happy Cory Hunting!

Copyright information for the images used in this article can be found on the species' full Cat-eLog page.

Cat-eLog Data Sheet
Scientific Name	Hoplisoma metae  Eigenmann, 1914
Common Names	Bandit Cory Masked Cory, Meta River Cory, Meta-pansermalle (Denmark), Panzerwels/Corydoras - Catfish (Germany)
Type Locality	Barrigona [Berrigón], Río Meta, Colombia.
Pronunciation	hop lee so mah - MEH tay
Etymology	Named after the Rio Meta, from which it was collected.
Articles
Species Information
Size	48mm or 1.9" SL. Find near, nearer or same sized spp.
Identification	C. metae is often confused with C. melini (which has an unbroken black stripe from dorsal to caudal fins, C. metae has no colour on its caudal fin or mid-body flanks) and occasionally C. davidsandsi (Lighter, more orange basic colouration and slightly more elongate body). There is also an ''imitator'' long-snouted species (C. simulatus).
Sexing	Females are slightly larger (especially when viewed from above) than males.
Habitat Information
Distribution	South America: Meta River basin in Colombia. Orinoco, Middle Orinoco, Meta (click on these areas to find other species found there) Orinoco, Upper Orinoco, Guaviare (click on these areas to find other species found there) Orinoco, Middle Orinoco, Meta, Upper Meta, Manacacías (click on these areas to find other species found there) Orinoco, Middle Orinoco, Meta, Ocoa (click on these areas to find other species found there) Login to view the map.
IUCN Red List Category	Not Evaluated
pH	6.5 - 7.5
Temperature	21.0-24.0°C or 69.8-75.2°F (Show species within this range)
Husbandry Information
Feeding	Will take prepared foods happily, but breeding condition will require bloodworm or other insect larvae. User data.
Furniture	Open gravel swimming space preferably shaded by large broadleaf plants. A large open cave for refuge also helps settle in these fish. They may sit inactive for periods of time when resting, but will always venture forth for food.
Compatibility	An ideal community fish.
Breeding	Around 20-30 eggs are produced, these are laid slowly in clutches and carried by the female in a ''pouch'' formed by her pelvic fins. They are carried to the underside of broad leaves or sometimes the aquarium glass and deposited carefully.
Breeding Reports	There are 12 breeding reports, read them all here.
Further Information
Reference	Indiana University Studies v. 2 (no. 23), pp 230.
Registered Keepers	There are 175 registered keepers, view all "my cats" data.
Wishlists	Love this species? Click the heart to add it to your wish list. There are 3 wishes to keep this species, see who wants what.
Spotters	Spotted this species somewhere? Click the binoculars! There are 44 records of this fish being seen, view them all.
Forum BBCode
	Search for H. metae
	Look up H. metae on AquaticRepublic.com
	Look up H. metae on Fishbase
	Look up H. metae on Encyclopedia of Life
	Look up H. metae on Global Biodiversity Information Facility
	LFS label creator ARN ref:1.1.1580.24
Last Update	2024 Jun 14 11:18 (species record created: 1997 Jan 01 11:22)

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