Sterba's Corydoras Corydoras sterbai

Corydoras are small catfish native to South America. Their name "helmet" refers to the two bony plates that protect their body in lieu of scales. There are over 170 described species and numerous undescribed species, all endemic to fairly small areas. Sterba's (also called Sterbai) Corydoras is native to streams, pools and flooded areas of the Guaporé River region between Bolivia and Brazil.

Sterba's Corydoras grows to some 6cm long. It has two distinguishing features from known similar corys. Firstly it has an orange edge to its pectoral and pelvic fins.

Secondly, its spotted head pattern is dark, more like white spots on a dark (brown/black) background, whereas the Mosaic Corydoras, C. haraldschultzi and C.045, C. araguaiaensis, have black/brown spots on a light (white) background.

This fast-diving, apparently all-striped individual is suspected to be a Sterba's Cory despite the apparent lack of a spotted head, since it was with Sterba's and it has orange-edged pectoral and pelvic fins.