Care Level: Easy

Temperament: Peaceful

Live Plant Safe: Yes

General Description: The Sterbai Corydoras or Cory for short is native to rivers and pools in South America predominately in Bolivia and Brazil. The genus Corydoras translates to “helmet skin” which is true of these tough, little armored catfish. Corydoras also have spines at the edge of their pectoral fins to deter predators from eating them. One of the most beautiful corys available in the aquarium trade, Sterbai corys have an overall silver-brown appearance to their bodies, decorated with spots in their face and stripes along their flank. A popular scavenging catfish for community and planted aquariums, Sterbai corys are extremely peaceful and reach an adult size of approximately 2.5″. Corydoras are very social, preferring to be kept in groups of 4 or more individuals. There are little differences between male and female, however females can appear a little more robust. All Sterbai corys available within the aquarium trade are commercially produced through aquaculture, which makes these specimens much hardier than their wild counterparts.

Diet Requirements: Sterbai corys are omnivores. A diet made up of various high quality vegetable based and protein based flake foods, sinking micro pellet foods and bug bites are ideal, in addition to offering frozen foods such as bloodworms, brine shrimp and daphnia. Variety is the spice of life in order to maintain color, immune function and longevity of your fish.

Care Requirements: An established minimum 15 gallon aquarium is ideal for a small group of Sterbai corys, but they are versatile and can be added to even much larger aquariums. Unlike some of the other species in Corydoras, Sterbai corys should not be added into a biologically immature aquarium as they are sensitive to nitrite and ammonia. The aquarium should be aquascaped with rocks and driftwood for coverage and places to hide, in addition to generous vegetation (artificial or live, but live is preferred). Corydoras require a sandy to fine substrate; too coarse of a substrate could cause injury to their barbels. Corydoras are opportunistic scavengers, making them very beneficial to have to forage for extra food of all kinds that has fallen to the substrate. Given their size and temperament, Sterbai corys rarely conflict with other fish but can be easily bullied by more semi-aggressive bottom-dwelling species or more aggressive catfish species. Choose tank mates accordingly, but some common compatible options include tetras, rasboras, angelfish, dwarf cichlids, and livebearers. Different species of Corydoras catfish can be mixed with success. Recommended water conditions, 74-82° F, KH 1-15, pH 6.0-7.5.

Purchase Size: Medium: 1” to 1-1/4”

Note: Your item may not look identical to the image provided due to variation within species. Purchase sizes are approximate.