Adolfoi Cory 'Rio Uaupés' (Hoplisoma adolfoi)

Common Name

Adolfoi Cory, Adolfo’s Cory

Scientific name

Hoplisoma adolfoi

Locality label

Uaupés River, upper Rio Negro, Brazil

Origin and Habitat

These are Uaupés River fish, a specific blackwater tributary of the upper Rio Negro where the water runs tea colored, very soft, and low in conductivity. Locality matters. Uaupés collections are prized for their crisp mask, glowing orange nape saddle, and tidy dorsal band. In the river they sift fine sand among leaf litter, roots, and shaded margins. Keeping the Uaupés label tells you exactly which conditions to emulate and preserves provenance for breeders and collectors.

Temperature and Water Conditions

Preferred range is 74 to 79 F, which is 23 to 26 C. In the wild the water is very soft and acidic, often about pH 4.5 to 6.0 with minimal hardness. For home aquaria we do not recommend chasing extreme numbers. Stable, clean conditions are far more important, with parameter tweaks reserved for special breeding projects. Aim for excellent filtration, gentle flow, and high oxygen, and keep ammonia and nitrite at zero with very low nitrate.

Appearance and Size

A sharp black eye mask, a warm orange saddle at the nape, and a neat black band in the dorsal fin over a creamy body make an unmistakable look. Adults reach about 5 to 6 cm total length, roughly 2 to 2.4 inches. Males stay slimmer, females round out when in condition. Often confused with Hoplisoma duplicareum, but Adolfoi typically shows a narrower dorsal band and a slightly more delicate build. Uaupés lots are sought after for color saturation and consistency.

Diet in the Wild

Micro predator and detritus sifter that takes tiny insect larvae, worms, micro crustaceans, and organic crumbs found while rooting through sand and leaf litter.

Feeding in Captivity

Rotate high quality sinking micro pellets, fine granules, and wafers with frozen or live foods such as baby brine shrimp, daphnia, mosquito larvae, and finely chopped bloodworm. Scatter food so the whole group can graze together. A fine sand bed lets them feed naturally and protects barbels. Occasional blanched vegetables or a soft gel food adds variety.

Behavior and Tank Setup

Peaceful and highly social, happiest in a proper group. Keep at least eight, more is even better. A longer footprint with soft sand, leaf litter, and shaded retreats helps them settle. Gentle flow and dimmer light encourage daytime foraging. Great companions include small peaceful characins and other blackwater species that enjoy similar conditions.

Breeding

Classic Corydoras T position courtship with adhesive eggs. Success usually follows a few weeks of heavy feeding on quality live and frozen foods, then a series of larger cool water changes to mimic the onset of rains. Provide fine leaved plants, spawning mops, or smooth vertical surfaces. Adults will eat eggs, so remove parents after a spawn or move eggs to a small hatching container with gentle aeration. Eggs typically hatch in three to five days depending on temperature. Start fry on paramecium or a suitable liquid fry food, then transition to microworms and newly hatched brine shrimp. If you plan to line breed, keeping the Uaupés label intact helps you track traits that this locality is known for.

Quick Facts

• Scientific name: Hoplisoma adolfoi
• Locality: Uaupés River, upper Rio Negro basin, Brazil
• Adult size: about 5 to 6 cm, roughly 2 to 2.4 inches
• Temperature: 74 to 79 F (23 to 26 C)
• Wild pH: about 4.5 to 6.0 in very soft blackwater
• Temperament: peaceful schooling catfish, keep in groups
• Diet: micro predator and substrate sifter, accepts quality prepared and frozen foods
• Breeding: adhesive egg layer, T position spawner, responds to cool water changes

Tropical Fish Co. Notes

Locality sells the story, and Uaupés tells a great one. These carry a premium for a reason, the orange saddle pops, the mask is crisp, and groups move like little metronomes across fine sand. We love Uaupés Adolfoi because provenance matters to serious hobbyists and breeders. If you want a small Cory that looks refined and keeps its look generation after generation, start with a known locality and keep the label with your line.