We are pleased to offer this unusual armored catfish from Brazil, first discovered in 2020, as German captive-bred specimens. Hoplisoma rikbaktsa is known only from a small range in the upper reaches of the Rio Tapajós. The species was named after the Rikbaktsa people (also known as Rikbakta or Erikbaktsa) who originally lived there but were nearly wiped out during the 1960s by introduced diseases.
The dark facial mask is a visually striking characteristic of the species. In the original scientific description, the species is therefore primarily compared to the species atropersonatus, griseus, and sychri, which also exhibit such a prominent facial mask. However, an experienced aquarist will hardly confuse H. rikbaktsa with these species; they simply look too different.
It is worth noting that H. rikbaktsa exhibits a sexual dimorphism more commonly seen in long-snouted species (i.e., “true” Corydoras) and the genus Scleromystax: Males, with a standard length of approx. 3–3.5 cm, have odontodes (i.e., skin spines; simply put: a beard) on their cheeks, along the shoulder girdle, and along the pectoral fin spines. The coloration of the fish is somewhat more variable than one might assume based on the original description. A thin longitudinal band may run along the center of the body, though this may also be broken up into individual spots. The maximum size likely reaches approximately 5 cm.
For our customers: these fish are listed under code 243022 on our stock list. Please note that we supply exclusively to wholesalers.
Literature:
Lima, F. C. T. & M. R. Britto (2020): A new Corydoras (Ostariophysi: Siluriformes: Callichthyidae) with an unusual sexual dimorphism from the Rio Juruena basin, Brazil. Zootaxa 4742 (no. 3): 518-530.
Text & photos: Frank Schäfer
