Care
These widely available armored catfish are ideal for the general community aquarium. Wild-caught specimens, aren't often seen but are best maintained in softwater aquaria. Like all species of Corydoras catfish, these fish must be kept on a soft sand substrate in order to protect the delicate sensory barbel area and maintained in groups of 5 or more due to their shoaling nature. Planted areas and other hiding places should be provided for the times when these busy fish aren't out foraging through the substrate. In a family of fishes that prefer cooler temperatures, this species is one of the most suitable for keeping alongside species such as Discus that require warmth.
This fish is similar to the other peach-finned species Brochis haraldschultzi and H. gossei. sterbai have much rounder heads compared to the longer snouted B. haraldschultzi. Also, H. sterbai sports a pattern of white dots on a dark background on the head area, whereas C. haraldschultzi's head area has a pattern of dark spots on a light background. H. gossei is a much darker fish and like haraldschultzi, is likely to be told apart from sterbai by price alone. Prior to becoming a captive-bred staple, wild sterbai could be seen at prices of more than £50 each a couple of decades ago, so far their close cousins have remained far more rare. An albino variety of this species is also available and the two forms can be happily mixed.
Hoplisoma was recently split from Corydoras and contains many familiar species.
Feeding
Sinking catfish pellets, frozen foods such as mosquito larvae and brineshrimp.
Breeding
Mature fish (2 males:1 female) can be triggered into spawning by performing a large, slightly cooler water change and letting the temperature slowly creep back up to around 28 °C. A pair will adopt the classic Corydoras "T position" where the male fertilises the eggs that are held between the females" pelvic fins. The semi-adhesive eggs will then be deposited onto plants, decor, or the sides of the aquarium etc and the process repeated. The eggs generally take around 5 days to hatch, and after a further 72-96 hours they will become free-swimming and are able to take finely-powdered first foods and newly hatched brineshrimp. To avoid predation and ensure a higher success rate, many fishkeepers move the parents to another aquarium after the eggs have all been deposited.
