Hoplisoma sterbai is a small armored catfish from South America, long known in the aquarium hobby under the name Corydoras sterbai and appreciated for its peaceful nature and striking appearance. Its dark body covered with fine pale spots, warm orange tones on the pectoral and pelvic fins, and gentle shoaling behavior along the bottom make it one of the most recognizable and popular cory-type catfish. When keeping Hoplisoma sterbai in an aquarium, it is important to provide a group of its own kind, choose a fine or smooth substrate that will not damage the barbels, and maintain clean, stable water conditions so this bottom-dwelling species can remain active and healthy.
