For Sterbai Keeper

[NEONCORY]

Hi. I need advice from the Sterbai Cory breeder. It is like this.
I have these group of Sterbais which I bought them young in last Octorber or November. They were small, probably 1" TL back then. Now they are about 1 1/2"~1 3/4" TL.
I assume I have 2M 3F since 3 is slightly bigger than 2 and small 2 is trying to place himself in front of those 3 to form T. But the females are not large and round yet so they are not interested to form T-position yet. They do swim/chase frantically especially in the morning.

I know this must be vary but here is the question.
What is the smallest(youngest) Sterbai that produced eggs for you?

They must be around 6~8 months old. I do feed them well and do frequent water change. However, especially females are just not fat enough it seems. Although that doesn't stop them males to try.
I am just so eager to see some eggs and seeing all the excited swimming/chasing going on all the time. Make me wonder "WHEN!" You know you can't stand it when you are almost getting eggs from the fish you never have.
I don't think I really need to list the detail of the tank set-up but here it is. They are in 10G pretty much by themself. With 2 oto like fish(I bought them as Oto but their coloration is not typical oto. They look more like some kind of pleco however they haven't change the size. About 1 1/2" TL. And one of them is so fat she looks ready to burst. So I have to figure how to get egg from them. And they have sucker mouth and stick to the glass, driftwood and plants in Oto manner.) So they are any threat to Sterbai.
Their water is around 82F as I read somewhere that is the good temperature to spawn the Sterbai. Ph is about 7 and gh should be soft although I don't have test for it.
And obviously, they are ALMOST ready. There are small HOB filter in back and powerhead with sponge(145GPH rated I think) on the side. Outlet facing against the glass so water run around the tank. Light is pretty low with some floating frogbit and darn duckweeds. Some drift/bog with Java fern.
Anyway, I appreciate if any of you experienced Sterbai breeder give me some idea of WHEN.

 

[Sibelius]

Two quick pointers, IMO 82 is too high temperature wise, consider dropping it. THis will have the added advantage of making the corys feel that the breeding season has arrived.
Secondly, post a picture of your oto like fish. There are 4 species of Oto, but if you're sure it isn't one it could be anything, maybe even a baby bristlenose.

 

[NEONCORY]

Thanks for the quick reply Sibelius

Do you really think it is too high. I read the article here and I figure it should be correct info that the person quote Ian Fuller. Anyway here it is.

http/www.aquarticles.com/articles/breedi...rassterbai.html

And I do water change with cooler water and they are really frisky.

I know the Oto like fish are not the juvi because I have them for over 3 years and their size hasn't changed. I been wishing that I see the same but I haven't seen. I'm kicking myself that I didn't buy more. Now I have this balloned female and possibly male and can't find anymore of same kind. I'm sorry I can't post the pic that I don't have reliable camera at the moment.
So you say there are 4 species of Oto. I should check on that.
Thanks

Now I only wish someone can tell me "WHEN" I can expect the eggs would be good. How old or how big the Sterbai usually have to be to produce eggs.

 

[Coryologist]

Now I only wish someone can tell me "WHEN" I can expect the eggs would be good. How old or how big the Sterbai usually have to be to produce eggs. - Quote edited by Coryologist.

Greetings. Your C. sterbai will be fine at that temp. In general, Corys need to be a year old to reach sexual maturity. There will always be species that wil be 2 or 3 months early, or late, but my experience has been around 1 year. Hope this helps. - Frank

 

[NEONCORY]

Thanks Coryologist(Frank) for help. Now I have some idea at least. I have them since November so that's about 4 month and I guess another 3~4 months before they got to store although I never really sure about the exact. So that comes to 7~8 months. So another 2~3 months maybe. Since the males seem try to convince hard lately. I guess I just keep feeding well and change water. And see what happens. Hopefully they surprise me soon.
I still could use some idea about the size of matuality beside the age if anyone know.

Sibelius I did some Oto research. It seems there are more than 4 species turn out to be. Although I can't find many pictures and I don't see exact match. I see one sort of close to the one I have. Here is the link.

http/images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=htt...l%3Den%26sa%3DG

Otocinclus gibbosus does remind me of mine although mine doesnot have the vertical lines on back half of the body. However mine have similar brown coloration with itty bitty eyes. Which is unlike the typical Oto you see at the store.

 

[Coryologist]

I still could use some idea about the size of matuality beside the age if anyone know.

Hi. Two fish of the exact same age kept by 2 different people in 2 different ways will result in 2 different sized fish. Way too many variables to determine anythng more than a rough guess concerning what size at a certain age. Sorry. - Frank