Corydoras sterbai
Note: Due
to variations within species, your item may not look identical to the image
provided.
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Synonyms |
None |
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Distribution |
Bolivia & Brazil, South America. |
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Sexual Dimorphism |
Mature females are larger and appear fuller when
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Maximum Size |
7cm (2.76?) |
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Water Parameters |
Tank-bred specimens will acclimatise to a wide
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Temperature |
22-29 deg C (72-84 deg F) |
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Compatibility |
Community |
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Lighting |
No special requirements |
Care
The Sterbas Cory, tank-raised specimens are ideal catfish
for the general peaceful community aquarium. Wild-caught specimens, however,
are best maintained in softwater aquaria only. Like all species of Corydoras
catfish, these fish must be kept on a soft sand substrate in order to protect
the delicate sensory barbel area, and maintained in groups of 5 or more due to
their shoaling nature. Some shady planted areas should be provided. Corydoras
have the ability to breathe air intestinally, so a small gap should be left
between the surface of the water and the cover slides in order for the fish to
come up to the surface and take air in. It may do this numerous times per day.
This species is sometimes confused with Corydoras haraldschultzi. C. sterbai
have much rounder heads compared to the longer snouted C. haraldschultzi. Also,
C. sterbai sports a pattern of white dots on a dark background on the head
area, whereas C. haraldschultzi?s head area has a pattern of dark spots on a
light background. An albino variety of this species is also available.
Feeding
Sinking catfish pellets, frozen foods such as mosquito larvae
and brineshrimp.
Breeding
Mature fish (2 males:1 female) can be triggered into
spawning by performing a large, slightly cooler water change and letting the
temperature slowly creep back up to around 28 deg C. A pair will adopt the
classic Corydoras ?T position? where the male fertilises the eggs that are held
between the females? pelvic fins. The semi-adhesive eggs will then be deposited
onto plants, d?cor, or the sides of the aquarium etc and the process repeated.
The eggs generally take around 5 days to hatch, and after a further 72-96 hours
they will become free-swimming and are able to take finely-powdered first foods
and newly hatched brineshrimp. To avoid predation and ensure a higher success
rate, many fishkeepers move the parents to another aquarium after the eggs have
all been deposited