Common name
Three-line cory
Scientific name
Hoplisoma trilineatum
Category
Freshwater fish
Group
Corydoradine catfishes
Environment
Freshwater
Origin
Amazonian drainages of Peru, Brazil and adjacent South America
Care level
Easy to intermediate
Adult size
About 5–6 cm
Expected lifespan
About 5–10 years
Minimum housing
At least 100 L with an 80 cm or longer footprint for a group
Temperature
22–26 °C
pH
6.0–7.6
Hardness / minerals
2–15 dGH
Salinity
Freshwater
Lighting
Subdued to normal with shade
Placement / swimming zone
Bottom and lower midwater

Identity and search names

Single-species profile for Hoplisoma trilineatum. Corydoras trilineatus is the former combination. Do not relabel all reticulated corydoradines as this species; true Hoplisoma julii remains a separate route.

Search names: Three-line cory, False julii cory, Corydoras trilineatus

Environment and housing

Use smooth sand or fine rounded substrate, open foraging space, wood and plant shade, and open access to the surface.

Water stability: Maintain 22–26 °C; pH 6.0–7.6; minerals: 2–15 dGH; salinity: Freshwater. Stability, dissolved oxygen and nitrogen-cycle control matter more than chasing one exact reading.

Feeding and nutrition

Feeding ecology: Sinking complete omnivore foods with small frozen or live invertebrates; it is not sustained by scraps alone

Feeding routine: Distribute food over several bottom areas and confirm shy or smaller fish feed after midwater fish finish.

Social structure and compatibility

Keep at least eight of the same confirmed species

Use peaceful fish with matching temperature and mineral needs; avoid fin-nippers, aggressive bottom fish and food monopolists. Retain a cycled separation option for aggression, feeding exclusion, predation, injury or disease.

Adult load and life support

Projected adult load: Moderate for an eight-plus group, with local bottom waste driven by repeated sinking-food meals.

Filtration: Use mature biological filtration and mechanical capture that keeps substrate clean without creating excessive bottom turbulence.

Aeration: Maintain high oxygen and unobstructed surface access.

Maintenance: Remove visible waste, change water regularly, inspect barbels and preserve enough undisturbed biofilm for a stable mature system.

Breeding and reproduction

T-position spawning with adhesive eggs deposited on glass, plants or decor. Do not compromise adult welfare, genetic identity, quarantine capacity, containment or lawful rehoming to attempt breeding.

Quarantine, welfare and risk

Quarantine: Quarantine new fish in a separate fully cycled system for at least 30 days at the intended temperature and mineral chemistry. Use dedicated equipment; observe appetite, respiration, faeces, skin, fins, gills and behaviour; never add transport water to the display.

Welfare checks: Monitor shoaling, barbel condition, abdominal fullness, respiration, surface access and whether every fish remains integrated with the group. Track individual body condition, feeding access, respiration, injury, abnormal hiding or aggression and use of the intended swimming zone.

Important warning

“Julii cory” shop labels frequently refer to Hoplisoma trilineatum. Keep the permanent julii and three-line profiles separate unless diagnostic identity is confirmed.

Main risk: Trade confusion with true julii cory can corrupt records and breeding projects, while solitary housing and dirty substrate damage welfare.

Australian biosecurity and release

Never release fish, fry, eggs, aquarium water, sediment, plants, live food or wet equipment into drains, dams or natural waterways. Australian import eligibility is species-specific: check the current permitted ornamental-fish list and BICON conditions by accepted scientific name. Import requires a permit, an approved source country and approved-arrangement isolation. Check current South Australian noxious-fish and movement rules before purchase, sale, transport, stocking or disposal.

Current check: Current lawful import, possession, stocking or movement must be checked by accepted scientific name. Absence from one state list is not import approval.

Detailed husbandry

Identity Scope
Single-species profile for Hoplisoma trilineatum. Corydoras trilineatus is the former combination. Do not relabel all reticulated corydoradines as this species; true Hoplisoma julii remains a separate route.
Adult Size And Space
Expected adult size: About 5–6 cm. Minimum permanent housing: At least 100 L with an 80 cm or longer footprint for a group. Adult dimensions, group or territory needs, swimming footprint, oxygen demand and waste production matter more than juvenile sale size.
Social Structure
Keep at least eight of the same confirmed species
Swimming Zone
Primary zone: Bottom and lower midwater. Keep that zone open enough for normal movement, feeding, refuge and escape.
Feeding Ecology
Sinking complete omnivore foods with small frozen or live invertebrates; it is not sustained by scraps alone
Feeding Plan
Distribute food over several bottom areas and confirm shy or smaller fish feed after midwater fish finish.
Water Stability
Maintain 22–26 °C; pH 6.0–7.6; minerals: 2–15 dGH; salinity: Freshwater. Stability, dissolved oxygen and nitrogen-cycle control matter more than chasing one exact reading.
Adult Projected Load
Moderate for an eight-plus group, with local bottom waste driven by repeated sinking-food meals.
Filtration
Use mature biological filtration and mechanical capture that keeps substrate clean without creating excessive bottom turbulence.
Aeration
Maintain high oxygen and unobstructed surface access.
Maintenance
Remove visible waste, change water regularly, inspect barbels and preserve enough undisturbed biofilm for a stable mature system.
Habitat Structure
Use smooth sand or fine rounded substrate, open foraging space, wood and plant shade, and open access to the surface.
Compatibility Plan
Use peaceful fish with matching temperature and mineral needs; avoid fin-nippers, aggressive bottom fish and food monopolists. Retain a cycled separation option for aggression, feeding exclusion, predation, injury or disease.
Breeding Plan
T-position spawning with adhesive eggs deposited on glass, plants or decor. Do not compromise adult welfare, genetic identity, quarantine capacity, containment or lawful rehoming to attempt breeding.
Quarantine
Quarantine new fish in a separate fully cycled system for at least 30 days at the intended temperature and mineral chemistry. Use dedicated equipment; observe appetite, respiration, faeces, skin, fins, gills and behaviour; never add transport water to the display.
Welfare Checks
Monitor shoaling, barbel condition, abdominal fullness, respiration, surface access and whether every fish remains integrated with the group. Track individual body condition, feeding access, respiration, injury, abnormal hiding or aggression and use of the intended swimming zone.
Biosecurity And Release
Never release fish, fry, eggs, aquarium water, sediment, plants, live food or wet equipment into drains, dams or natural waterways. Australian import eligibility is species-specific: check the current permitted ornamental-fish list and BICON conditions by accepted scientific name. Import requires a permit, an approved source country and approved-arrangement isolation. Check current South Australian noxious-fish and movement rules before purchase, sale, transport, stocking or disposal.
Main Risk
Trade confusion with true julii cory can corrupt records and breeding projects, while solitary housing and dirty substrate damage welfare.
Overridable Warnings
“Julii cory” shop labels frequently refer to Hoplisoma trilineatum. Keep the permanent julii and three-line profiles separate unless diagnostic identity is confirmed.

Sources

Current accepted identity or qualified trade identity, former names, adult scale, social structure, feeding ecology, adult projected load, filtration, aeration, maintenance, quarantine, welfare, Australian import controls and South Australian movement, stocking or no-release obligations were rechecked. AquaNexus wording is original.