All fish / Callichthyidae

Sterba's corydoras

Corydoras sterbai

Also known as sterbai cory, sterba's cory, sterbai catfish, sterbas corydoras, orange fin cory, sterbai corydoras, コリドラス・ステルバイ, corydoras sterbai, 斯特巴鼠鱼, 熊猫异型鼠

A dark-bodied armoured catfish covered in fine white spots, with a white-lined head and bright orange pectoral and pelvic fin spines. It is popular because it is peaceful, hardy, active in groups and copes with the warmer water used for discus and other warm-water fish.

Care at a glance

Care level

Easy

Temperament

Peaceful

Adult size

6.5 cm

Temperature

24 to 30 °C

pH

6 to 7.6

Smallest tank

80 litres

Keep as

Group of 6 or more

Diet

Omnivore: sinking pellets and wafers, bloodworm, brine shrimp, daphnia and small worms

Swims

Bottom of the tank

Lifespan

10 to 15 years

Water

Freshwater

Wild range

Upper Rio Guaporé (Rio Guaporé) basin, Brazil and Bolivia

Breeding

It spawns in the typical corydoras T-position, with the female sticking eggs on glass or plants, often triggered by a cooler water change. Breeding is fairly easy in captivity, and the eggs and fry are best raised apart from the adults.

Good to know

Keep on soft sand or smooth gravel, as rough substrate damages the barbels. Many fish in the trade are captive bred, and it is sometimes confused with the similar Corydoras haraldschultzi.