Description
Corydoras Sterbai
Overview
Corydoras sterbai, commonly known as Sterba’s Corydoras, is a small, peaceful freshwater catfish native to the upper Rio Guaporé in Brazil and Bolivia. Popular in the aquarium trade, this species is prized for its striking appearance, featuring a dark body with white or yellowish spots and vibrant orange pectoral fin spines. They are hardy, adaptable, and ideal for community tanks due to their calm demeanor and bottom-dwelling habits.
- Scientific Name: Corydoras sterbai
- Size: 5–6.5 cm
- Lifespan: 3–5 years (up to 7 with optimal care)
- Temperament: Peaceful, social
- Tank Level: Bottom-dweller
Care Requirements
Corydoras sterbai are relatively easy to care for but require specific conditions to thrive:
Tank Size: Minimum 75 liters for a small school (6–8 fish). Larger tanks are better for stability and space.
Water Parameters:
- Temperature: 22–26°C
- pH: 6.0–7.5
- Hardness: 2–12 dGH (soft to moderately hard water)
- Ammonia/Nitrite: 0 ppm
- Nitrate: <20 ppm
- Substrate: Smooth, fine sand or gravel to protect their delicate barbels. Avoid sharp or coarse substrates.
- Filtration: Moderate filtration with good water flow but not overly strong currents. A sponge or canister filter is ideal.
- Lighting: Low to moderate; they prefer subdued lighting but adapt to brighter setups with hiding spots.
- Decor: Provide caves, driftwood, and plants (e.g., Java fern, Anubias) for cover. Ensure open areas for foraging.
Maintenance
- Water Changes: Perform 25–30% water changes weekly to maintain water quality. Use dechlorinated water matched to tank parameters.
- Tank Cleaning: Vacuum the substrate lightly during water changes to remove debris without disturbing the fish.
- Equipment Checks: Regularly inspect filters, heaters, and thermometers to ensure stable conditions.
- Barbel Health: Monitor for barbel erosion, often caused by poor substrate or water quality. Address promptly with improved maintenance.
Diet
Corydoras sterbai are omnivorous bottom-feeders with a preference for small, sinking foods:
Staple Diet: High-quality sinking pellets or wafers (e.g., Hikari Sinking Wafers, Fluval Bug Bites).
Supplementary Foods:
- Live or frozen foods: Bloodworms, brine shrimp, daphnia.
- Blanched vegetables: Zucchini, cucumber, or spinach.
- Feeding Frequency: Feed small amounts 1–2 times daily, ensuring food reaches the bottom. Remove uneaten food after a few hours to prevent water fouling.
Note: They forage naturally, so ensure food sinks quickly to avoid competition with mid- or top-dwelling fish.
Behavior and Compatibility
Behavior:
Corydoras sterbai are peaceful, schooling fish that thrive in groups of 6 or more. They are active during the day, often seen foraging along the substrate or resting on decor. They exhibit playful behaviors, like “dancing” or darting to the surface for air (normal for Corydoras).
Compatibility:
- Good Tankmates: Small, peaceful fish like tetras (neon, ember), rasboras, guppies, dwarf gouramis, and other non-aggressive species. Other Corydoras species can also cohabitate.
- Avoid: Large, aggressive, or predatory fish (e.g., cichlids, large barbs) that may intimidate or prey on them. Avoid fin-nippers like tiger barbs.
- Social Needs: Keeping them in groups reduces stress and encourages natural behavior. Solitary Corydoras may become lethargic or stressed.
Reproduction
Corydoras sterbai are egg-layers and can breed in captivity with proper conditions:
Breeding Setup:
- Tank: Use a dedicated 10–20 gallon breeding tank with similar parameters to the main tank.
- Conditions: Slightly cooler water (70–74°F) and a higher oxygen level can trigger spawning. Perform a 50% water change with cooler water to simulate rain.
- Group: A ratio of 2–3 males per female is ideal. Males are slimmer, while females are rounder and larger.
Spawning Process:
- Males court females with a “T-position” mating dance, where the female holds the male’s barbels.
- Females lay 10–50 eggs, depositing them on flat surfaces (glass, leaves, or decor).
- Eggs are adhesive and typically hatch in 3–5 days at 75°F.
- Egg Care: Remove parents after spawning to prevent egg predation. Maintain high water quality and consider adding methylene blue to prevent fungal growth.
- Fry Care: Feed newly hatched fry infusoria or liquid fry food, transitioning to baby brine shrimp or crushed flakes after 1–2 weeks. Ensure a clean tank with frequent small water changes.
- Challenges: Fry are sensitive to water quality, and breeding success may require multiple attempts.
Additional Tips
Observation: Watch for signs of stress or illness (e.g., clamped fins, lethargy, or barbel loss). Quarantine new fish to prevent disease introduction.
Enrichment: Provide a varied environment with hiding spots and open foraging areas to keep them active.
Health Concerns: Common issues include ich, fin rot, or barbel erosion. Treat with aquarium-safe medications and address underlying causes like poor water quality.
Picture for illustrative purposes only. Either come in store to view available stock or request pictures to be sent to you.
Please Note: Due to variations within species resulting from age, region, sex, etc., the actual livestock may not look identical to the image. Approximate size range may also vary between individual specimens.
