Sterba's Corydoras

Sterba's Corydoras is a species of armored catfish belonging to the large Corydoras genus, distinguished by its dense spotted pattern and vivid orange fins. It is native to the Rio Guaporé basin along the border of Brazil and Bolivia in the western Amazon region. Named after German ichthyologist Günther Sterba, the species has become one of the most popular corydoras in the aquarium trade due to its bold coloration and peaceful, hardy nature. Like other corydoras, it belongs to the family Callichthyidae and possesses bony armor plates rather than scales. It remains common within its native range and is not currently considered threatened.

Sterba's Corydoras has the typical stocky, arched-back body shape of the genus, growing to 6-7 cm.

• Body: Dark brown to black, densely covered in small white to cream spots
• Fins: Pectoral and pelvic fins are bright orange to yellow-orange
• Head: Downturned mouth with three pairs of sensory barbels
• Armor: Bony lateral plates instead of scales, arranged in two rows

It is distinguished from similar spotted corydoras by the consistently vivid orange coloration of its pectoral fins, which remains a reliable identifying trait even among captive-bred variants.

Sterba's Corydoras is native to the Rio Guaporé and its tributaries along the Brazil-Bolivia border in the western Amazon basin. It inhabits slow-moving to moderately flowing rivers and streams with soft, sandy substrates, where it forages along the bottom. Water in its native range is typically soft, slightly acidic, and warm, consistent with tropical lowland river systems. It is often found in areas with submerged wood, leaf litter, and overhanging vegetation that provide shelter and food sources. As a bottom-dwelling species, it relies on well-oxygenated water near the substrate and is commonly found in groups foraging together over open sandy or silty riverbed areas.

Sterba's Corydoras is a peaceful, highly social bottom-dweller that forms loose groups, constantly foraging along the substrate using its barbels to locate food by touch and smell. It is omnivorous, feeding on small invertebrates, insect larvae, and organic debris sifted from the sand. The species can gulp air at the water's surface and utilize a specialized form of intestinal respiration to supplement oxygen uptake in low-oxygen conditions. Spawning involves a distinctive T-position embrace between male and female, after which adhesive eggs are deposited on plant leaves or hard surfaces with no further parental care. Group living provides safety and improves foraging efficiency along the riverbed.