Corydoras sterbai

From The Aquarium Wiki

Sterba's Corydoras
Sterba's Corydoras
Species	Corydoras sterbai
Difficulty	Easy
Min. Tank Size	56.781 liters 56,781.177 mL 15 US Gallons (56.8L)
Size	1.969 in 3-5 cm (1.2-2")
pH	5.8 - 7
Temp.	295.15 K 71.6 °F 531.27 °R 299.15 K 78.8 °F 538.47 °R22 -26 °C (71.6-78.8°F)
Water Hardness	20-30
Stocking Ratio	1:1 M:F
Availability	Common
Diet	Omnivore Pellet Foods Flake Foods Other (See article)
Life Span	?-15 years

[edit] Alternative names

Sterba's Cory, Sterbai Cory

[edit] Sexing

Females have a larger underbelly, when viewed from the top will look a lot wider than a male.

[edit] Tank compatibility

Very peaceful community fish.

[edit] 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!

[edit] Feeding regime

These fish are most active at night, so feeding once before lights out is typically enough. Though they can be persuaded to feed during the day.

[edit] 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. High nitrate levels can also cause their barbels to become infected.

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

[edit] Behaviour

• The Corydora 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 least 2 or more of the same species (best in groups of 5 or more). The more you have, the more secure they are and therefore the more you will see them.
• Known to 'blink' its eyes to the amazement of onlookers. The Cory has the ability to tilt its eye down to examine the nearby substrate.

[edit] 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.

[edit] 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).

[edit] Pictures

Three Corydoras sterbai and a Corydoras trilineatus.

Two Corydoras sterbai.

[edit] Video

[edit] External links

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

[edit] ^*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