Corydoras sterbi , or Sterba's Cory, is a popular, peaceful, and active bottom-dwelling catfish known for its distinctive pattern of white spots on a dark body and striking orange pectoral fins. Native to the Guaporé River region in Brazil and Bolivia, it is an excellent community fish that is relatively easy to care for in a well-maintained aquarium. Key Care Requirements Parameter Value Size 2 - 2.7 inches (5 - 7 cm) Minimum Tank Size 20 gallons Temperature 72–82°F (22–28°C) pH 6.0–7.5 Water Hardness 1-15 dGH (soft to moderately hard) Lifespan 3 - 10 years with proper care Temperament Peaceful, social, community fish Habitat and Tank Setup Substrate: Use a soft, fine substrate like sand or polished fine gravel. This is essential to protect their sensitive, whisker-like barbels, which can be damaged by rough or sharp surfaces. Aquascaping: Provide plenty of hiding spots and cover using driftwood, rocks, and live plants. Leave open areas on the tank floor for them to forage. Filtration & Water Quality: A well-maintained tank with good filtration and regular weekly water changes (25-30%) is crucial, as they are sensitive to ammonia and nitrite. They appreciate good oxygenation and moderate water flow. Lighting: Moderate to dim lighting is preferred, which can be achieved with floating plants or dense vegetation. Diet and Feeding Omnivores: While they do scavenge for leftover food, they are not effective algae eaters and require target feeding to ensure they get enough nutrition. Varied Diet: Their diet should include high-quality sinking pellets or wafers as a staple, supplemented with a variety of live or frozen foods such as bloodworms, brine shrimp, and daphnia. Blanched vegetables like zucchini or peas can also be offered occasionally. Feeding Behavior: They are active bottom-dwellers that spend much of their time sifting through the substrate. Feeding them small portions 2-3 times daily, or larger meals they can graze on for a few hours, works well. Behavior and Compatibility Social: Corydoras sterbai are highly social and thrive in groups. A minimum group of six or more individuals is recommended to promote natural schooling behavior and reduce stress. Tank Mates: They are peaceful fish and excellent companions for a variety of similarly sized, non-aggressive species like tetras, rasboras, dwarf cichlids, and angelfish. Unique Behavior: They exhibit "clownish" behavior and will occasionally dart to the surface to gulp atmospheric air, which is a perfectly normal way for them to supplement oxygen intake. Breeding Breeding in a home aquarium is possible and can often be triggered by mimicking the rainy season with large, cooler water changes and high-protein foods. Females lay adhesive eggs on surfaces like the aquarium glass or plant leaves, and it's best to separate the eggs or adults afterward to prevent the eggs from being eaten
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