In aquarium science, there are always fish that are shrouded in legend. One of these is definitely Hoplisoma evelynae, which was described as early as 1963 based on a single specimen collected by Axelrod in the upper Rio Solimoes region (the name given to the Amazon above its confluence with the Rio Negro). For some unknown reason, this species rarely finds its way into the hands of ornamental fish catchers. Over time, a real hype developed around this animal, which essentially looks like a skunk cory (Hoplisoma granti, commonly known in the hobby as Corydoras arcuatus) with an interrupted dorsal line, two parallel stripes across the flanks, and a striped caudal fin.
We have now been able to import a small number of armored catfish with exactly this pattern, but with the head shape of a Brochis of Clade 4 (the pointed-headed armored catfish) from Colombia. We had seen pictures of this species before, which originates from the Amazon region in Colombia and is shipped via Leticia. But we had not been able to import them until now. As far as we know, this fish has not yet been assigned a C or CW number (C98 and CW13 are similar, but in our opinion represent different species). Round-snouted animals – i.e. Hoplisoma – with very similar coloring have been assigned the C number 90. C90 differs from the “real” H. evelynae in that it has a prominent black saddle patch directly at the base of the dorsal fin.
Our fish are about 6 cm in total length and are probably sexually mature, but not yet fully grown. A photo of a show-size fish at Armando Ortega-Lara (2016) shows even more clearly than our specimens the special head shape that is so typical of Brochis of clade 4.
For our customers: the animals have code 229573 on our stock list. Please note that we only supply wholesale.
Literature:
Ortega-Lara, A. (2016): Guía visual de los principales peces ornamentales continentales de Colombia. SERIE RECURSOS PESQUEROS DE COLOMBIA – AUNAP. Santiago de Cali, Colombia.
Text & photos: Frank Schäfer
