Sterbai Cory

With dense white spots covering its dark gray-black body and orange pectoral and pelvic fins, the sterbai cory is one of the most beautiful corydoras. Its real value is that, unlike many corydoras, it can tolerate 28–29°C for long periods; this makes it the classic bottom fish for discus, ram and cardinal tetra aquariums. It is long-lived: individuals over 15 years old are known.

It lives in warm, clear streams and river branches with sandy bottoms in the Guaporé River basin.

• Volume: at least 80 liters for a group of 6–10; a large footprint.
• Substrate: fine, rounded sand.
• Water: 25–28°C; soft to moderately hard, clean and oxygen-rich.

Sinking tablets and granules, frozen bloodworms, brine shrimp. In discus aquariums it also cleans up leftover food, but it must be fed separately.

Extremely peaceful. In a group the fish roam the bottom together and sift through the sand.

Good companions: discus, ram, cardinal tetra, rummy-nose tetra, apistogrammas, angelfish.

Avoid: aggressive cichlids that claim the bottom, large and predatory fish.

At least 6, ideally 10 or more individuals. In a large group it is more active and visible. For breeding, a ratio of 2 males to each female improves spawning success.

Like other corydoras, spawning is triggered by a large, somewhat cooler water change; the female sticks the eggs to the glass and leaves. The eggs hatch in 4–5 days.

It is hardy. Barbel erosion occurs on dirty or sharp substrate; it is sensitive to nitrate buildup.

Viewed from above, females are broader and plumper; males are smaller and slimmer, with slightly longer pectoral fins.