Sterba's Corydoras

Corydoras sterbai

Sterba's Corydoras (*Corydoras sterbai*) is the undisputed king of bottom-dwelling fish in high-end warm water tanks. Slightly bulkier (up to 6-7 cm / 2.5 inches) than its peers, it features a stunning pattern: an intricate labyrinth of pearl-white/gold lines and polka dots on a dark background that gives it a brindle or "mosaic" appearance. The final touch of magnificence is given by the very lively pectoral and pelvic fins of a bright orange or coral red color, which stand out dramatically against the dark body. In addition to its immense beauty, its real trump card is its extraordinary tolerance to high temperatures, which makes it the only 100% recommended bottom companion for demanding and very delicate aquariums dedicated to Discus.

Family: Callichthyidae
Origin: Sud America (Fiume Guaporé e suoi affluenti, al confine tra Brasile occidentale e Bolivia)
Tank use: Used in 0 tanks

Temperature

24 °C - 28 °C

6 - 7.5

Water type

Freshwater

Tank level

Zona inferiore. Molto raramente stazionano sulle foglie ampie (es. Echinodorus) a mezza altezza.

Adult size

6 cm

Description

Poison in the Fins:

Something almost no seller will tell you: Corydoras possess extremely sharp dorsal and pectoral spines covered in a weakly toxic mucus. If you try to catch them by inserting your hand or accidentally squeeze them and they sting you, expect a strong and annoying pain similar to a localized wasp sting on your finger.

Care and observations

The Only Corydoras for Hot Water (Discus' Friend):

If you own or plan to have the famous "King of the Aquarium", the Discus Fish (*Symphysodon*) or the Ramirezi, you must keep the water very hot at a stable 28°C (82°F) or even 30°C (86°F). At this temperature 95% of commercial Corydoras species literally melt and die in months wasting away. The *Corydoras sterbai* is the very rare and perfect Amazonian exception: this stupendous Corydoras loves hot water and is the only sensible and healthy choice not to fail at these temperatures.

Beware of Polluted and Sharp Bottoms:

Although they spend the day scraping the bottom, they do not eat garbage. If black accumulations, hydrogen sulfide pockets or high nitrates from rotten food form in the gravel, the bellies and whiskers of the Corydoras that station on it will putrefy due to bacterial necrosis leading to a violent death. Always siphon or stir the SAND on the bottom to keep it immaculate. If you use sharp quartz or pebbles they will remove their mouths by rubbing them.

The Price of Beauty:

In the store they cost on average triple the other Corydoras, but they are worth every penny: in addition to being much thicker and larger (up to 6.5 cm / 2.5 inches the females full of eggs), the bright orange color of their ventral fins will create a fantastic eye-catching effect while they move frantically (obligatorily in schools of at least 6) on the white sand in search of their nocturnal sinking tablet.

Fish profile

Temperament: Puro pacicifismo in movimento. Iper-socievoli e totalmente focalizzati sulla ricerca corale di cibo sul fondo, ignorano sistematicamente tutti gli altri abitanti della vasca.
Diet: Onnivoro bentonico / Insettivoro. Bocche piccole ma fameliche. Devono essere nutriti attivamente con sinkers (compresse/wafers ad alto contenuto proteico). Amano disperatamente i chironomus scongelati, il tubifex (ottimo per condizionare le femmine alla riproduzione) e scaglie frantumate. Mai basare la loro dieta solo su "ciò che cade".
Tank level: Zona inferiore. Molto raramente stazionano sulle foglie ampie (es. Echinodorus) a mezza altezza.
Minimum group: 6
Adult size: 6 cm
Minimum tank: 80 L
GH: 2 dGH - 15 dGH
KH: n/a
TDS: n/a
Conductivity: n/a
Sex ratio: Branco stretto di minimo 6 esemplari. Sebbene pacifici in qualsiasi proporzione sessuale, i maschi sono piccoli e affusolati, le femmine sono significativamente più alte, rotonde e massive, specialmente quando mature.
Feeding frequency: 1 volta al giorno. Molto intelligenti, imparano rapidamente il punto in cui cade solitamente il cibo riunendosi tutti insieme in anticipo.
Bioload: Medio-Basso
Flow: Corrente da Moderata a Forte. Sono eccellenti nuotatori e amano correnti ben ossigenate che lambiscono il fondo.
Reproduction: Dispersori di uova 'a T'. Eccellenti riproduttori in cattività. Si innesca classicamente somministrando abbondante chironomus per settimane e simulando la pioggia pluviale fredda con un abbondante cambio d'acqua più fresca (2-3 gradi in meno) unito a un aumento della corrente. Le femmine appiccicheranno massicce uova bianche sui vetri. Uova e piccoli purtroppo spesso divorati dagli stessi genitori.
Compatibility: Mantenimento ottimale e inarrivabile come pesce da fondo in un 'Discus Tank' ad alta temperatura. Meravigliosi anche con grandi branchi di Cardinali (Paracheirodon axelrodi), Ramirezi o Scalari. Fortemente sconsigliata la coabitazione con Botia giganteschi o grandi Loricaridi territoriali.

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