Description
🐟 Sterbai Cory (Corydoras sterbai)
📌 Basic Info
Scientific Name: Corydoras sterbai
Family: Callichthyidae
Origin: South America (Brazil & Bolivia, upper Rio Guaporé)
Size: 2.5 – 3 inches (6 – 7.5 cm)
Lifespan: 7 – 10 years
Tank Zone: Bottom
🌊 Water Parameters
TDS: 80 – 200 ppm
pH: 6.0 – 7.5
Temperature: 24 – 28°C (75 – 82°F)
Hardness: 2 – 12 dGH
🐟 Characteristics
Peaceful, hardy, and very social bottom dwellers.
Attractive dark body with white spots and orange pectoral fins.
Active and playful, especially in groups.
Helps keep the bottom clean by scavenging leftover food.
🍽️ Food
Type: Omnivorous (bottom feeder)
Diet: Sinking pellets, algae wafers, frozen/live foods (bloodworms, daphnia, brine shrimp), blanched veggies.
Feeding: 1–2 times daily – make sure food reaches the bottom.
🛠️ Maintenance
Tank Size: Minimum 30 gallons for a group.
Filtration: Gentle to moderate – avoid strong currents.
Substrate: Fine sand preferred to protect their barbels. Avoid sharp gravel.
Decor: Plants, caves, driftwood, shaded hiding spots.
Water Change: 25–30% weekly.
👥 Social Behavior
Minimum Group Size: At least 6 (shoaling species).
Tank Mates: Peaceful community fish – tetras, rasboras, guppies, angelfish, dwarf cichlids, discus.
Avoid: Large aggressive cichlids or fin-nippers.
✅ Do’s
Keep in groups for natural behavior.
Provide soft sandy substrate.
Maintain stable warm water.
Feed a variety of sinking foods.
❌ Don’ts
Don’t keep them alone – they get stressed.
Don’t expose to rough gravel.
Don’t mix with aggressive tank mates.
⭐ Quick Tips
Sterbai Corys are one of the best corydoras for warm tanks (they can live with Discus).
Hardy and beginner-friendly yet loved by advanced aquarists too.
Their striking spotted pattern makes them stand out in planted aquariums.
