Sterbas Corydoras
Corydoras sterbai
- Care level
- Beginner
- Adult size
- 6.5 cm
- Minimum tank
- 40 litres
- Temperature
- 24–28 °C
Species profile
Smudge Spot Corydoras
Corydoras similis
Common names: Smudge Spot Corydoras, Smudge Spot Cory
Recognized speciesCorydoras
Adult size
Up to 6 cm
Up to 6 cm
Countries of origin
Good fit for your tank?
Good fit for
- A peaceful community tank with similar-sized fish
- A small, well-kept nano tank
Think carefully if
- You only want to keep one or two, because this fish needs a group of 6 or more
A pale, finely spotted cory from Brazil with a dark smudge towards the rear of the body, which gives it its name. Keep a group of at least 6 in 40 litres or more.
Appearance and Identification
A pale, finely spotted cory from Brazil with a dark smudge towards the rear of the body, which gives it its name.
Check the scientific name when buying, as common names vary between sellers and countries.
Females are larger and rounder, and they look broader when viewed from above.
Tank Requirements
- Suggested filter
- About 160–200 litres an hour
- Suggested heater
- About 50–75 W for this tank
- Minimum tank volume
- 40 litres
- Minimum tank length
- 45 cm
- Minimum group size
- 6
- Recommended group size
- 10
- Activity level
- Moderate
- Flow preference
- Low to moderate
- Planting preference
- Moderately planted
- Hiding places
- Yes
- Lid recommended
- Yes
- Jumping risk
- Moderate
Use a soft sand bottom, because rough gravel can wear down its barbels, and keep the water clean. It sometimes darts to the surface for air, which is normal.
Behaviour and Tankmates
A peaceful, sociable bottom-dweller that spends the day rooting through the sand in a group.
Keep a group of at least 6, and more if you can.
Not territorial.
An ideal community fish, with small, peaceful fish that like similar water. It does not eat algae or clean the tank, so it needs its own food.
Water Parameters
Fairly tolerant of different water, if it is clean and stable.
Parameter caveat
Keep up regular water changes, and acclimatise new fish slowly.
Feeding
- Diet types
- Omnivore
- Feeding frequency
- Daily
- Preferred foods
- Sinking pellets or wafersFeed after lights-out if faster fish take everything first.
- Frozen bloodworm and brine shrimpOffer several times a week.
- Blanched vegetablesCourgette or cucumber add variety for fish that graze.
Eats small invertebrates in the wild. Feed sinking foods that reach the bottom.
Feed small amounts, and remove anything left after a few minutes.
Breeding
- Breeding type
- Substrate Spawner
- Breeding difficulty
- Moderate
- Parental care
- Variable
- Baby foods
- Newly hatched brine shrimpThe fry can usually take this from the start.
- Crushed flakeA simple addition as they grow.
Lays its eggs on a cleaned surface, such as a stone, leaf or the bottom of the tank, and the parents may guard them. Move eggs or adults if you want to raise many fry.
Habitat and Origin
- Geographic origin
- Brazil, South America
- Natural habitat
- River
- Aquarium contexts
- Nano Aquarium, Planted Aquarium
- Audience level
- Beginner
Classification
- Profile type
- Recognized species
- Genus
- Corydoras
- Family
- Callichthyidae
- Species group
- Corydoras, Fish
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Corydoras hastatus
- Care level
- Beginner
- Adult size
- 3.2 cm
- Minimum tank
- 54 litres
- Temperature
- 20–26 °C
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- Care level
- Beginner
- Adult size
- 5.5 cm
- Minimum tank
- 40 litres
- Temperature
- 22–26 °C
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- Care level
- Beginner
- Adult size
- 3.7 cm
- Minimum tank
- 65 litres
- Temperature
- 22–26 °C