CW114 Sipaliwini Cory – Hoplisoma sipaliwini

The CW114 Sipaliwini Cory is a small, peaceful cory-type catfish with delicate spotting, a pale body and attractive bottom-foraging behaviour. Previously traded under the CW114 code and long known as Corydoras sipaliwini, this species is now correctly placed in Hoplisoma. It is best kept in a mature aquarium with soft sand, clean water, shaded cover and a proper group of its own kind.

Key Identification:

Common Name: CW114 Sipaliwini Cory
Other Names: Sipaliwini Cory, CW114 Cory, Corydoras CW114, Nail Cory, Corydoras sipaliwini
Scientific Name: Hoplisoma sipaliwini
Older / Trade Name: Corydoras sipaliwini
Fish Type: Cory-type Catfish / Callichthyid Catfish
Water Type: Freshwater

Natural Range & Habitat:

Hoplisoma sipaliwini is native to the Guiana Shield region of South America, with records from coastal river basins in Guyana and Suriname. The name refers to the Sipaliwini River in the Corantijn River system of Suriname, where the species was first collected.

In the aquarium, CW114 Sipaliwini Corys should be given a mature setup with soft sand or very smooth fine substrate, shaded areas, plants, wood and open feeding patches. Clean, oxygen-rich water is important, and the substrate should allow natural foraging without damaging the barbels.

Appearance & Adult Size:

CW114 Sipaliwini Corys are small, neat cory-type catfish with a pale cream, beige or silver body covered in fine dark spotting. They may show a subtle darker line or pattern through the body, with delicate markings across the head, flanks and fins. The overall appearance is refined rather than bold, making them especially appealing in planted aquariums.

Adults usually reach around 4.5–5 cm, with females often fuller-bodied and slightly larger than males. Males are usually slimmer, especially when viewed from above.

Aquarium Suitability:

This species is best suited to mature peaceful community aquariums, specialist Cory-type displays and planted South American-style setups. It does well with soft substrate, stable water quality, gentle to moderate flow and calm tank mates that will not outcompete it too heavily at feeding time.

CW114 Sipaliwini Corys are not suitable for sharp gravel, aggressive cichlid tanks, predator aquariums, tiny nano tanks, immature aquariums or setups with poor water quality. They should not be sold simply as scavengers and must receive a proper sinking diet.

Recommended Aquarium Size:

A practical minimum is 75–90 litres for a small group, with a tank length of at least 60–75 cm recommended. Larger aquariums of 90–120 litres or more are preferred for bigger groups and mixed communities.

Keep in a group of at least 5–6, with larger groups preferred where space allows. Cory-type catfish are social and become more confident, active and natural when kept with their own kind.

Water Conditions:

Temperature: 22–26°C
pH: 6.0–7.5
Hardness: Soft to moderately hard
Additional Notes: Keep water clean, stable and well oxygenated. Avoid high nitrate, dirty compacted substrate, sharp gravel and sudden changes in water chemistry. Soft sand is strongly recommended to protect the barbels and encourage natural foraging.

Temperament & Tank Mates:

Aquarium Category: Community Fish

CW114 Sipaliwini Corys are peaceful bottom-dwelling community fish. Suitable tank mates include small to medium peaceful tetras, pencilfish, rasboras, dwarf cichlids with care, Otocinclus, small peaceful plecs and other calm community fish that enjoy similar water conditions.

Avoid large predators, aggressive cichlids, rough bottom dwellers, severe fin-nippers and very boisterous feeders that prevent food from reaching the substrate. They should not be kept singly or in pairs, as this can make them shy and reduce natural behaviour.

Feeding:

CW114 Sipaliwini Corys are omnivorous bottom feeders and need a varied sinking diet. Offer quality sinking catfish pellets, soft granules, bottom-feeder tablets and small wafers as the staple diet. Supplement with frozen or live foods such as bloodworm, daphnia, cyclops, brineshrimp, tubifex and mosquito larvae.

They will search the substrate for food, but they must not be expected to survive on scraps. Make sure food reaches the bottom, especially when kept with fast midwater feeders.

Behaviour in the Aquarium:

This species spends much of its time foraging over sand, exploring shaded areas and resting under plants or wood. In a proper group, CW114 Sipaliwini Corys are social, active and more visible once settled. Like other callichthyid catfish, they may occasionally dart to the surface to gulp air, which is normal behaviour.

Spawning may occur in well-conditioned groups after good feeding and clean water changes. Eggs, if laid in a community aquarium, may be eaten unless removed or protected.

Care Notes:

Add CW114 Sipaliwini Corys only to a mature, fully cycled aquarium. Use soft sand or very smooth fine substrate, maintain good oxygenation and provide shaded resting areas. Keep the substrate clean with regular maintenance, but avoid harsh gravel cleaning that removes all natural grazing opportunities.

Because CW114 has been used as a trade code and colour-variety reference, individual appearance can vary between suppliers. Listing it as Hoplisoma sipaliwini, with Corydoras sipaliwini / CW114 included for search, gives the clearest customer-facing naming.

Recommended For:

Intermediate

Availability:

Occasional / Specialist import or tank-raised when available

Image Disclaimer:

All images are a visual representation of the fish you will receive, made to be as accurate as possible. Natural variation in size, spotting, body tone, line pattern, sex and markings can occur between individual fish.