{"product_id":"catfish-melini-corydoras","title":"Catfish Melini Corydoras","description":"\u003cp\u003eMelini Corydoras are beautiful freshwater catfish known for their distinctive black markings, peaceful nature and entertaining personalities. Their creamy beige bodies feature a striking dark band across the eyes and a diagonal black stripe running along the back towards the tail, giving them their distinctive appearance.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAlso commonly known as the False Bandit Cory, these charming bottom-dwelling fish originate from South America and spend much of their time exploring the aquarium floor, searching for food and interacting with their companions.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTheir gentle temperament and social behaviour make them a wonderful addition to peaceful tropical community aquariums, particularly those with soft water, natural decorations and plenty of hiding places.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eScientific Name:\u003c\/span\u003e \u003cspan\u003eHoplisoma melini\u003c\/span\u003e (formerly \u003cspan\u003eCorydoras melini\u003c\/span\u003e)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCare Level:\u003c\/span\u003e Moderate\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTemperament:\u003c\/span\u003e Peaceful, social and active\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMaximum Size:\u003c\/span\u003e Approximately 5–6 cm\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eLifespan:\u003c\/span\u003e Approximately 5–8 years with proper care\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMinimum Tank Size:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA minimum aquarium size of approximately 75–80 litres is recommended for a group of Melini Corydoras, with larger aquariums preferred for additional swimming space and improved water stability.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAs bottom-dwelling fish, Melini Corydoras benefit from aquariums with plenty of floor space rather than tall, narrow tanks. A tank with a base measuring approximately 80 × 30 cm or larger is recommended.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA soft, fine sandy substrate is particularly important, allowing them to naturally sift through the sand while searching for food without damaging their sensitive barbels.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDriftwood, live plants, smooth rocks, leaf litter and shaded hiding spaces help recreate their natural environment and encourage comfortable, natural behaviour.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHow Many Should Be Kept Together?\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMelini Corydoras should be kept in groups of at least 6, although groups of 8–10 or more are even better when aquarium space allows.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThese fish are naturally social and feel much more confident when surrounded by others of their own species.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eKeeping them individually or in very small numbers can cause stress, shyness and reduced natural behaviour.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAlthough they may interact with other Corydoras species, keeping a proper group of Melini Corydoras is recommended.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIdeal Water Temperature:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e22–26°C, with approximately 23–25°C being an excellent target for everyday care.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMelini Corydoras prefer moderate tropical temperatures and should not be kept in consistently hot aquariums.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eStable water conditions are particularly important, as sudden temperature changes can cause stress.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWater Conditions:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMelini Corydoras naturally inhabit soft, acidic freshwater environments and thrive in clean, well-oxygenated aquariums with stable water parameters.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIdeal pH: Approximately 5.5–7.0\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWater Hardness: Soft, ideally 1–10 dGH\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWater Flow: Gentle to moderate, with good oxygenation\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAmmonia and Nitrite: 0 ppm\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAquarium: Fully cycled, mature and well maintained\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThey are particularly well suited to soft-water community aquariums with natural driftwood, plants and shaded areas.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRegular partial water changes and careful substrate cleaning are important for maintaining their health.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDiet:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMelini Corydoras are omnivores and require a varied diet of quality sinking foods and protein-rich supplements.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA suitable diet includes sinking catfish pellets, bottom-feeder tablets and occasional frozen or live foods such as bloodworms, brine shrimp and daphnia.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAlthough they will happily search for leftover food along the aquarium floor, they should never be expected to survive on scraps alone.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEnsure food reaches the bottom of the aquarium and that faster-feeding tank mates do not consume everything before the Corydoras have an opportunity to eat.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCompatibility:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMelini Corydoras are peaceful community fish and are best housed with other small, non-aggressive species that enjoy similar water conditions.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSuitable tank mates may include:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNeon Tetras\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGreen Neon Tetras\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRummy Nose Tetras\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSmall, peaceful Rasboras suited to soft water\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOther peaceful Corydoras, provided each species has a suitable group\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePeaceful freshwater snails\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAvoid housing them with large, aggressive or predatory fish that may bully, injure or eat them.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCare should also be taken when selecting tank mates that require much warmer water or significantly harder, more alkaline conditions.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThings to Be Cautious Of:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSensitive Barbels:\u003c\/span\u003e Melini Corydoras use delicate whisker-like barbels to locate food. Sharp substrates and accumulated waste can contribute to injuries and infections. Fine, clean sand is strongly recommended.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eGroup Size:\u003c\/span\u003e They are social fish and should be kept in groups of at least 6 to encourage natural behaviour and reduce stress.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWater Hardness:\u003c\/span\u003e Melini Corydoras naturally prefer soft, slightly acidic water and may not thrive long-term in hard, alkaline aquariums.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePoor Water Quality:\u003c\/span\u003e They are sensitive to deteriorating water conditions and should only be introduced into fully cycled, well-maintained aquariums.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHigh Temperatures:\u003c\/span\u003e Consistently high tropical temperatures can cause stress and should be avoided.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFeeding:\u003c\/span\u003e They require their own appropriate sinking foods and should not be relied on solely as aquarium cleaners.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSurface Breathing:\u003c\/span\u003e Corydoras occasionally swim quickly to the surface to gulp air. This is normal behaviour, although frequent surface gulping may indicate poor water quality or inadequate oxygenation.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSafe Handling:\u003c\/span\u003e Their sharp fin spines can become caught in aquarium nets, so care should be taken when transferring them.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHelpful Notes:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMelini Corydoras are a fantastic choice for aquarists wanting a peaceful, attractive and entertaining bottom-dwelling fish.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTheir striking black markings and soft beige colouring create a beautiful contrast against sandy substrates, green aquatic plants and natural driftwood.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThey are particularly enjoyable to watch in groups, where they can often be seen resting together beneath plants before becoming active and exploring the aquarium floor.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eUnlike some more adaptable Corydoras varieties, Melini Corydoras particularly appreciate soft, acidic water and an established aquarium with stable conditions.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eProviding a suitable group, fine sandy substrate, peaceful tank mates and clean, well-oxygenated water will help these charming little catfish thrive.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Live Animal","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":67907898048682,"sku":"15453","price":42.99,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0701\/3564\/4330\/files\/melini-cory.jpg?v=1794475563","url":"https:\/\/petpatch.co.nz\/products\/catfish-melini-corydoras","provider":"Pet Patch","version":"1.0","type":"link"}