Bandit Cory 3-4CM The Bandit Cory is a stunning catfish that is perfect for a mature softwater aquarium. This peaceful bottom dweller thrives best in groups of five or more due to its shoaling behavior. In its natural habitat, C. melini is found in the pristine blackwater tributaries of the Orinoco and upper Negro River basins, which means they flourish in soft, acidic water over time. However, this species can be somewhat susceptible to barbel infections or erosion, making it crucial to keep them on a soft sand substrate instead of gravel, where waste can accumulate unnoticed, to safeguard these sensitive sensory organs. Regular upkeep, including frequent partial water changes, is essential to maintain the health of these fish. Ensure there are plenty of shaded spots created by driftwood, rocks, and dense plantings. Other peaceful species like smaller pencilfish, tetras, and rasboras are excellent tankmates, and their presence as dither fish in the midwater will encourage the Corydoras to come out more often. Corydoras can breathe air through their intestines, so it’s important to leave a small gap between the water’s surface and the cover slides, allowing the fish to surface and take in air multiple times a day. H. melini resembles H. davidsandsi and H. metae, and they can be distinguished as follows: in H. metae, the diagonal black stripe ends at the caudal peduncle, while it continues into the caudal fin in both H. davidsandsi and H. melini. The same black diagonal stripe splits into two just behind the dorsal fin and extends as two lines over the back of the body in H. melini. In contrast, the stripe in H. davidsandsi separates much closer to the caudal peduncle. The body coloration of H. davidsandsi is generally much ‘cleaner’, while H. melini has a more muted tan due to the black specks along the edges of its body scutes.
