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Hello:

I have a group of 8 c. sterbai. They are in a 5ft 120G that is lightly planted. They spend most of their time sheltered under driftwood- they are most active after a water change, though they do manage to come out and eat.

Tankmates are peaceful dwarf/small cichlids- angelfish, bolivian rams, keyholes, geophagus pindare; as well as tetras and a group of c. aeneus. Primary substrate is pale sand- 0.5 to 1.2 mm in diameter. I plan to add some pool filter sand to reduce the average diameter of the sand. There is also a patch of eco-complete where I have crypts planted.

I've had them for several months, but they just don't seen comfortable enough to venture out often. I realize this is generally a less active species, but wondering what kind of setup would make them the most comfortable/happiest? I have some other tanks, so I may be able to create a better home for them.

Thanks!

How big is your group of ? As a general rule, Corys do better in a larger group.

Also, consider that C. sterbai tend to prefer a bit warmer temperature than many other corys, and this may affect their activity level too.

Generally, corys like a bit of cover and somewhere to hide. By the sounds of things, you could have a bit more plants, and that would make them happier to venture out. If you think of your corys as a person with Agoraphobia (fear of open places) - any big open place will be their worst nightmare. Structurs and plants that break up the open space will help them feel more secure, and counter intuitively, you will see more of them.

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Mats

If you try re-positioning and angling the filter outlets, so that you create a current across the bottom of the tank - perhaps at the back, you might well find your corys settle at the front.
All your fish, even the angels, will appreciate a current - so long as there are calmer areas as well.

my adult sterbais are in a group of 12, and numerous babies of all sizes. They are in my warmer hypan 50 gal.

they are out all day every where I think because I have lots of hiding areas for the pl*cos, and caves and wood and slate and rocks and sand bottom and lots of plants live and fake, even fake floating ones, altho the current is strong I just had to use a veggie clip and attach one end of them to each side of the tank at the top to keep them floating one on each side.

so mayeb the lots of furniture in tank and plants and cover from above? I don't know, all my cories tho have been pretty out and about in every tank, Maybe I am lucky.

I consider Corydoras sterbai a rather shy species but it is generally true that giving them more places to hide they will actually come out more. I think 8 in a 120 gallon tank is a part of the problem; they like to be part of a fairly large group. 2 or 3 times as many would be best but they will always be a reserved species. The only times I have seen them act very out going is when I have bred a lot of them and kept 100 in each grow out tank. There were no other fish present except a common bushy nose kept with them to take care of the algae.