Sterba's cory

Sterba's corydoras (Corydoras sterbai) is a strikingly patterned armoured catfish from the Upper Rio Guaporé basin in Bolivia and Brazil. Named after the German ichthyologist Günther Sterba, this species is distinguished from similar corydoras by its dark head base covered in bright gold–yellow spots and vivid orange–red pectoral fin spines. Reaching up to 6.5 cm (2.6 in), it is one of the more heat-tolerant Corydoras species, thriving at 24–28°C, which makes it an excellent companion for discus and similar warm-water community tanks. Wild specimens are rare in the trade — nearly all available fish are captive-bred.

In the aquarium, a group of at least six individuals should be housed on a soft sand substrate, as coarse gravel can damage their sensitive barbels and lead to infection. A well-filtered tank of 80 L (20 gal) or more with moderate water movement, dim lighting, and plenty of hiding spots among driftwood and plants suits them well. Stable water parameters with pH 6.0–7.6 and soft to moderate hardness are important, though captive-bred stocks tolerate a wider range. They are facultative air-breathers and regularly dart to the surface — this is normal behaviour unless the frequency increases dramatically.

Sterba's cory is a peaceful, active bottom-dweller that does best with small characins, cyprinids, dwarf cichlids, and other peaceful catfish. Feeding is straightforward: a high-quality sinking pellet or wafer as a staple, supplemented with live and frozen foods such as bloodworm, Daphnia, and brine shrimp. They are among the easiest Corydoras to breed — trigger spawning with large, cooler water changes in a dedicated tank, and eggs typically hatch in 3–5 days. Aquarium lifespan estimates are around 4 years with suitable care.