Sterbai Cory

Corydoras or Sterbai Cory Sterbai belongs to the Corydoras catfish family. Dr. Günther Sterba discovered this species of catfish in South America in 1962, and it was named after him. 

Corydoras is derived from the Greek words Kory, which means helmet, and doras, which means skin.

These well-known fish are distinguished by the two rows of armour plating that run along Cory’s flanks. Corydoras Sterbai also has fewer than 10 dorsal fin rays. The head and body of the fish are dark brown, with horizontal rows of white dots. The tail and fins are black with opaque dots.

The Corydoras Sterbai, like all catfish species, has a pair of barbels on its snout that it uses to root through the substrate in search of food. Corydoras can reach lengths of two to four inches when mature.

Pink-eyed albino varieties of the species are also available, which would make a unique addition to your community tank.

The Sterba’s Cory is found in the upper stages of the Rio Guarpore in Brazil and is native to South America’s Guaporé River area between Bolivia and Brazil.

Because the environment in these riverbed settings is often dark and shady, it is ideal for these shy, bottom-dwelling fish.

The majority of the species in your local fish market are captive-bred in large numbers in Eastern Europe or the Far East.

I. Size

• Average Adult Size: 2–2.5 inches (5.1–6.6 cm)
• Maximum Adult Size: 2.6 inches
• Swimming Level: prefer the bottom of the tank and will not likely venture upward

II. You would love the fish because…

The Sterbai, like other Cory catfish, has a stocky build. They are stubby tiny fish with rounded heads and a feeding mouth that is underturned. These fish have a pair of barbels on their mouths to aid in their scavenging behavior.

Two rows of plate-like armor may be found on the body’s sides! These scales provide excellent protection against potential predators in the wild.

These fish are mostly black or dark brown in hue. The body is adorned with white dots, creating a high-contrast pattern that sticks out! The fins have the same spotted appearance, but the dots are organized to seem like stripes.

These fish are relatively small. When fully developed, the ordinary Sterbai Cory measures about 2.5 inches in length. Some examples can grow to reach four inches long, although they are uncommon.

Because of their tiny size, Sterbai Cory catfish are an excellent alternative if you have limited room and a smaller tank.

III. Is this fish species peaceful or hostile?

• Recommended:  4 or more individuals
• Overall hostility: Peaceful
• Hostility towards own species: Peaceful
• Hostility towards other Species: Peaceful

IV. Species compatibility

• Betta Fish
• Other Corydoras
• Peaceful Catfish
• Gouramis
• Danios
• Barbs
• Tetras
• Apistogramma.

V. How to feed this species?

These catfish love Aqueon Bottom Feeder Tablets, Shrimp Pellets, Tropical Granules, and Algae Rounds. Feed a range of high-quality items and vary your fish’s diet daily for the greatest results. Feed your fish only what they can ingest in 2 to 3 minutes, once or twice a day.

• WA Bottom Dwellers Feed Sinking Pellets
• Hikari USA Inc Tropical Sinking Algae Wafers

Word for the wise

Live Plants

Driftwood

Rocks

Live, frozen food

Aquarium Starter Kit

Filter

Heater

Thermometer

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