Catfish - Cory Sterbai

The Sterbai's Corydoras is a small, peaceful bottom-dwelling catfish popular in community aquariums. It is known for its distinctive pattern of white spots on a dark body and bright orange pectoral fins. These fish are social scavengers that help clean leftover food from the substrate and thrive when kept in groups.

Basic Information

Fish Latin Name: Corydoras sterbai
Family: Callichthyidae
Location of Origin: South America – mainly the Guaporé River basin in Brazil and Bolivia
Max Size: 2.5–2.8"
Lifespan: 5–8 years

Care Information

Care Level: Easy to Moderate

Temperament: Peaceful, social bottom-dweller. Very active and playful in groups.

Diet: Omnivore – eats sinking foods, small invertebrates, and plant matter.

Food Recommendations:

• Sinking catfish pellets or wafers
• Frozen or live bloodworms
• Brine shrimp
• Daphnia
• Occasional algae wafers or vegetable-based foods

Water Recommendations

Temperature: 75–82°F
pH: 6.0–7.5
GH: 2–15
KH: 1–8

Soft to moderately hard water with stable parameters is ideal.

Tank Recommendations

Minimum Size: 20 gallons

Tank Level: Bottom

Grouping Size: At least 5 fish

Recommended Tankmates: Peaceful community fish such as:

• Tetras
• Rasboras
• Small gouramis
• Dwarf cichlids
• Livebearers (guppies, platies)
• Other Corydoras species

Avoid large aggressive fish.

Breeding Information

Sexually Dimorphic: Sometimes
(Females are usually larger and rounder than males)

Breeding Style: Egg scatterer with T-position fertilization typical of Corydoras.
Females hold fertilized eggs between their pelvic fins and place them on glass, plants, or decorations.

Tropical Showcase Insight

PLACE HOLDER Insert staff insight here 

Please Note: Due to variations within species, your item may not look identical to the image provided. Approximate size range may also vary between individual specimens.