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Sterba's corydoras (Corydoras sterbai) — Callichthyidae

Sterba's corydoras

Corydoras sterbai

The Sterba's corydoras (Corydoras sterbai) is a freshwater fish of the family Callichthyidae that grows up to 7 cm.

Length
6.8 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Omnivore
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless

Description

The Sterba's corydoras is a small armoured catfish (Callichthyidae) from fresh water of the Guapore basin on the border of Brazil and Bolivia. The species grows to about 7 cm and has a stocky body with two rows of overlapping bony plates and three pairs of barbels around an underslung mouth. The dark head and back bear numerous white spots and the pectoral spines are orange. As a gregarious bottom-dweller it roots in groups through soft sand in search of worms, larvae and detritus and can take a gulp of air at the surface. The fish is harmless to humans and is popular in the aquarium trade.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Sterba's corydoras?

The Sterba's corydoras has a flattened, disc-shaped body, is mainly brown and shows a spots pattern.

Where does the Sterba's corydoras live?

The Sterba's corydoras lives in fresh water and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom.

How big does the Sterba's corydoras get?

The Sterba's corydoras grows to a maximum of about 7 cm.

Is the Sterba's corydoras dangerous to humans?

No, the Sterba's corydoras is harmless to humans.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Sterbas pantsermeerval sourced
English name
Sterba's corydoras sourced
Scientific name
Corydoras sterbai
Family
Callichthyidae
Other names
Sterba's cory sourced

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
6.8 verified
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Pattern
Spots sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Barbels
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Omnivore inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Nocturnal inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Fishing method
Klein van stuk en nauwelijks een hengelsportdoel; wordt vooral incidenteel of als aasvis gevangen. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Corydoras

More from the family Callichthyidae

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