Breeding Sterba's Corydoras (Corydoras Sterbai) In The Aquarium

Location

This species lives in small tributaries, creeks, streams, ponds, floodplains in Brazil and Bolivia.

Body description

Colour of the body is dark gray with silvery-light speckles and light under-side. All fins have dark dots which create horizontal stripes. The pelvic and pectoral fins are yellow-orange. This species is often confused with Corydoras haraldschultzi which colour of the body is silvery-beige with dark spots. Differences in coloration are especially visible on the head of these fish. This Corydora has 2 rows of defensive bony plates on the sides (known as scutes), 2 pairs of barbels and its first rays of the pectoral fins are transformed into spines. This species can breathe with atmospheric air. Females are a bit larger and thicker in ventral parts.

Temperament and behaviour

This is shy and shoal fish. It feels more confident and is more active within large groups. These fish are not aggressive towards each other and towards other species. You may keep these fish with rasboras, danios, dwarf cichlids, other corydoras and discus.

Aquarium decoration

You may keep these fish in a general tank or "black water" biotope aquariums. The biotope tank should include sandy substrate, twisted roots and branches, floating pieces of wood, dry leaves of oak or beech which should be changed every few weeks, dimmed light and peat in the filtration system. The general aquarium should include a lot of hiding-places among plants, roots, rocks. It also should have soft substrate like sand or fine gravel. All decorative elements should have smooth edges. This species is very sensitive to water conditions and dirty substrate. Dirty substrate causes infections of their barbels.

Breeding

This is an oviparous species. You can breed these fish in general or separate tank. If you choose to breed them in general tank then make sure it includes sufficient number of places where female will be able to deposit her eggs. If you want to use separate tank then it should have sandy substrate, java moss and flat stones. Water should be 23°C, pH=6.5. Filter outlet should be protected by sponge or net. You transfer group of fish (single female and few males) to the breeding tank and feed them plenty with live food. You should do 50% partial water changes on few degrees cooler water and you should increase water flow and aeration when female will become visibly thicker in the ventral parts. You do that every day until fish start to spawn. Insemination takes place in characteristic "T-position". Male holds female's barbels in his pectoral fins. He releases sperm. This sperm flows through the female's pelvic fins where she holds portion of around 4 eggs. Then she is looking for right place to deposit the eggs - usually it is clump of the plants, stone or even aquarium glass. The cycle is repeated but males each time compete for female's admittance. Spawn may take several hours. You should remove parents after spawning because they can eat the roe and fry. The roe is sensitive to fungal infections. You may add few drops of methylene blue to the water to protect the roe and also check and remove rotten eggs every day. You may use Red Cherry Shrimps too. These shrimps eat only infected eggs.The eggs hatch after 3-5 days. The fry starts to swim and feed 3-4 days later.