🐡 FOTM CassCats - April 2026 Fish of the Month Winner(Corydoras)

[connorlindeman27 27]

We have a winner in Fishforums.net
April 2026 Fish of the Month Contest
We had 8 awesome fish entered in this month's FOTM contest but only one could win...
And the winner is.......
​

@CassCats​

Let's all congratulate her

Here's the winning fish and its description​

Hoplisoma osteocarus (formerly corydoras osteocarus)
Species is from Rio Orinoco, Rio Meta, and Rio Atabapo in Venezuela and some areas of Columbia in these river systems.
This species comes from areas stained with tannins, very acidic waters, and a very low GH. As such, I have replicated their natural environment as best as humanly possible by mixing my soft tap water with distilled water to lower the GH to 2°. The pH sits now at 6.5. The temperature sits at 78F as the areas they are native to are hotter than several other areas of South America.
Their habitat consists of sand substrate with a thick layer of leaf litter, with granite rocks and fallen wood, consistent with the granite slabs of rock found in Venezuela and the seasonal flooded forest habitat. The tannins are naturally produced by the leaf litter and botanicals, and as such can vary through water change schedule.
This species is only available in the hobby as a by-catch fish and it is unusual to get a group of them, so I was very fortunate to find some. They are considered a dwarf species based on their max size of 1.6 inches. They are a touch elusive, preferring to hide among the leaf litter, which their speckled pattern allows them to blend with leaves that begin getting holes in them from breaking down.
They are fed a diet of frozen daphnia, frozen baby brine shrimp, and a dry mix of Fluval Bug Bites, Tropical Insect Pellets, Northfin Betta Bits, and Bug Bites Flakes, with a tiny bit of spirulina mixed in (less than 5% of the mixed food)

 

[connorlindeman27 27]

In second place is @BullTerrierChild. This was a close race. Great job.
In third place is @Panda_Monium.

Right now we are accepting entries in our TOTM contest. If you have an aquarium sized 31 gallons or larger, please consider entering here: https://www.fishforums.net/threads/...e-month-contest-31-gallons-and-larger.499515/

 

[dascrow6]

Congrats @CassCats - Great photo!

 

[BullTerrierChild9 29]

Congratulations @CassCats ! Awesome fish!!

 

[Fishmanic29 145]

You've won another banner to add to your many other ribbons. Good going!

 

[Essjay29 144]

Congratulations

 

[bgarthe30 47]

Congrats CassCats…….nice pic.

 

[MattW29 145]

Congrats!

 

[Innesfan28 12]

Well done!

 

[CassCats6 3]

Thank you everyone! I loved reading everyone's entries, but perhaps it is my bias towards corydoras always good to see so much love for them

 

[GaryE29 144]

This was my favourite contest in a while. I really liked all the images and all the info. Congrats on winning, @CassCats , but congrats on having such cool fish to everyone else!

 

[OMG_FL]

Congrats @CassCats really awesome fish

 

[CaptainBarnicles6 4]

Late to the party but congratulations!

 

[EmmaS]

Lovely fish. Congratulations

 

[Whitecloudminnowguy098 1]

Late to say it, but congrats!