Sterba's Corydoras (Corydoras sterbai)

Sterba's Corydoras

Sterba's Corydoras

Corydoras sterbai

Difficulty

Easy

Min. Tank Size

76 Litres (20 US G.)

Size

5.1-6.6cm (2-2.6 ")

sg

Freshwater

pH

5.8 - 7

Temp.

22 -26 °C (71.6-78.8°F)

Water Hardness

20-30 °d

Stocking Ratio

1:1 M:F

Availability

Common

Diet

Omnivore
Pellet Foods
Flake Foods
Other (See article)

Life Span

15-25 years

Habitat

South America

Family

Callichthyidae

This animal is available captive bred

Additional names

Sterba's Cory, Sterbai Cory

Origin

South America: central Brazil and Bolivia.

Sexing

When properly conditioned, the difference between the male and female Corydoras is usually quite evident. Females will look a lot wider when viewed from the top, as they have a larger underbelly. Males are also shorter in length than females.

Tank compatibility

Very peaceful community fish. Will not intentionally bother tank inhabitants, however their bumbling about the tank may bother more delicate fish or other bottom dwellers. Are best kept in groups of 5-6 or more.

Diet

As with most Corydoras, these fish will eat most food which sinks to the bottom of the tank. Sinking algae pellets should be supplemented with flake food or other sinking foods like catfish pellets.

Be aware these fish do have a carnivorous side to them and love foods such as Bloodworm and Brine Shrimp. Vegetable-based foods offer little nutrition to them. They will also eat any dead, dying, or even injured fish, that sit on the substrate too long. They're very opportunistic!

Feeding regime

These fish are most active at night, so feeding once before lights out is typically enough. Though they can easily be persuaded to feed during the day. Since they are slower eaters they should be allowed at least 30 minutes to consume their food.

Environment specifics

Requires a sand or small gravel substrate and prefers a planted tank. Keeping a cory on sharp or large gravel can lead to damage to their barbels, which when infected will make it hard for the cory to find food.

Corys are sensitive to salt, as with other scaleless fish, adding salt to the tank will cause them harm.

Behaviour

• The Corydoras group of fish frequently gulps air. This is normal and is not a cause for concern. If too little room is available between the water surface and the hood (<2") the fish may hit the hood. They hold the air in their stomach and the thin lining dissipates the oxygen.
• This fish likes the company of its own kind. It is recommended to keep at least 2, or better yet, several of the same species. The more you have, the more secure they are and the more you will see them.
• They are known to 'blink' their eyes to the amazement of onlookers. The Cory has the ability to tilt its eye down to examine the nearby substrate.

Identification

Attractively coloured Cory with yellow pectoral fins, with a domed head covered with light coloured spots. Also available in albino form, identifiable from the Bronze Cory albinos by still displaying an orange/yellow tinge to their pectoral fins.

Special notes

• These fish are incredibly docile, very peaceful and are a wonderfully easy fish to own. However it is a remarkably little known fact that Corydoras have a very sharp barb just under each eye, one in each pectoral fin, one in the adipose and a large one in the front of their dorsal fin.
• The fish uses these barbs to protect itself from being swallowed by a larger fish. Therefore when using a net to catch these fish, be prepared for the Cory to become caught up in the mesh of the net. Also, ensure you don't try to catch this fish in your hand!
• ^*What is also little known is that certain species of Corydoras have a poison gland in their barbs which causes fish which try to eat them to get stung. This causes the attacking fish to suffer a lot of pain rather like a jellyfish sting. Needless to say this causes an annoying, but harmless, irritant to aquarists skin if they get stung also.
• The Cory has a sensitive sense of smell and its barbels allow it to taste food hidden in the substrate.
• These fish are armoured not scaled catfish and are surprisingly heavy for their size. They have two rows of overlapping bony plates running down each side and large plates covering their head. Indeed, the name Corydoras is derived from the Greek kory (helmet) and doras (skin).

Pictures

• 

  Three Corydoras sterbai and a Corydoras trilineatus.

• 

  Two Corydoras sterbai.

Video

Corys at rest blinking away	Classic T-Position mating behaviour.

External links

• Fishbase (Mirrors: )

• Planet Catfish
• Catfish of the month - July 2003
• Ian Fuller's Articles on Corys
• Seriously Fish
• Corydoras sterbai Profile

^*References to poisonous barbs

• David Sands in his 1982 publication "Catfishes of the World" vol. 1. ISBN 0-444-42282-X
• Frank Schafer in My Corydoras by - Aqualog Mini Series. ISBN 3936027250
• Corydoras owners discussing this topic
• Diversity, phylogenetic distribution, and origins of venomous catfishes by Jeremy J Wright, 2009.