Slate Corydoras

Slate Corydoras have a compact, deep body with a muted slate, brown or bronze base and subtle green-blue iridescence. The fins often develop warm ochre or orange tones, while a dark band passes through the eye.

Identify this profile by the combination of a slate-blue to grey front half fading into fine spotting toward the rear, with mature males developing a tall dorsal fin. Older sources commonly list this fish as Corydoras concolor; the current profile follows the accepted or revised placement Hoplisoma concolor. Colour alone can be unreliable in stressed, juvenile, or poorly conditioned fish, so body shape, snout length, fin pattern, and provenance should also be checked.

Mature females are generally larger, deeper-bodied and broader when viewed from above. Males remain slimmer, but colour intensity and fin tone are not dependable sex indicators.

Use fine sand, shaded cover, open feeding areas and a mature filter with good oxygenation. The aquarium should provide enough bottom space for a social group without crowding.

This is a peaceful, sturdy social cory that spends much of its time foraging over the bottom. A proper group improves confidence and allows normal resting and shoaling behaviour.

Keep at least 6 of the same species or coded population, with 8 or more preferred where space permits. A mixed collection of single corys does not fully replace a proper same-species group.

It is not territorial. Males may briefly chase one another or follow females during courtship, but sustained aggression is unusual when the group has adequate floor space.

It suits peaceful communities with small and medium fish that do not harass bottom dwellers. Avoid large cichlids, aggressive catfish and companions that consume all sinking food before the group can feed.

Soft to moderately hard, slightly acidic to neutral water is suitable. Provide good oxygenation and keep ammonia and nitrite at zero.

Offer quality sinking pellets or tablets and rotate frozen or live invertebrate foods. It is not an algae eater or waste cleaner and needs complete meals like any other fish.

Feed after faster surface and midwater fish have taken their share, and confirm that every individual reaches food. Use small portions once or twice daily, remove persistent leftovers, and vary prepared and frozen or live foods.

Captive breeding is documented. Adults use the typical cory spawning sequence and deposit a relatively modest number of adhesive eggs on surfaces; the eggs and fry should be separated from adults and kept in very clean water.