Hoplisoma julii – Leopard Hoplisoma
Hoplisoma julii, commonly known as the Leopard Hoplisoma, reaches a size of about 4 to 5 cm. This species features a silver-gray body with black dots and a horizontal band along its flank. Its dorsal fin is distinguished by a prominent black tuft. While females are generally larger and have a fuller belly than males, distinguishing between the genders can be quite challenging.
The Aquarium
The aquarium should be at least 60 centimeters in length. Provide a soft substrate of sand or rounded gravel to prevent damaging the barbels. They use their barbels to dig through the sand in search of food.
Hoplisoma julii prefers a densely planted aquarium with ample hiding spots.
Water parameters
Temperature: 23-26 Celsius.
PH: 6 – 7,5
GH: 5,0 – 8,0
Diet
The Leopard Hoplisoma is an omnivore that prefers frozen or live food, primarily those that settle on the bottom, such as Tubiflex worms and red mosquito larvae.
Character
Hoplisoma julii is a peaceful fish that tends to be quite confident in its surroundings. It does not bother other inhabitants and prefers to go about its own business. When kept in larger groups, these fish become less shy and more active, so it is best to keep at least six individuals together, although more is preferable for optimal social interaction.
Breeding
Breeding Hoplisoma julii is quite simple, especially if you use soft water. To encourage egg laying, you can lower the water temperature gradually by refreshing it with slightly colder water over a few days until it reaches around 20 degrees Celsius. The eggs will typically be laid on the aquarium glass or on a previously cleaned leaf. After about 3 to 8 days, the eggs will hatch. It’s important to remove the parents, as they may eat the eggs. Once hatched, the young can be raised on small artemia nauplii.
Transporting Hoplisoma
Many Hoplisoma species have a poisonous self-defense mechanism to avoid being eaten by larger fish. In case of danger, they can spread and lock the spines in their dorsal and pectoral fins. This causes them to get stuck in the mouth or throat of the attacker, which makes another fish think twice about swallowing a Hoplisoma. Also when catching a Hoplisoma with a net, they often get stuck in the net with these spines. Be careful when loosening, if the spine gets into your skin it can partially break off and remain in the skin. These wounds are painful and often become inflamed.
Besides the pointy spines some Corydoras species can release a toxin to the water when they are stressed or in danger. Transporting them in small amounts of water or too many Corydoras in a small space can lead to rapid death of fish. Just put a couple of Corydoras in a plastic bag but don’t add other species and make sure you give them some room. Not much research has been done to this toxin so its unclear whether the toxin is released from their spines or where their venom glands are located.
Author
Sander
Copyright images
Sander
John de Lange