Corydoras Sterbai - virgin birth?!

[band_width_band]

Hi!

I have in one of my tanks:
1 x Corydoras Sterbai
1 x bronze cory
1 x albino cory (probably a bronze, I guess?)
1 x pepper cory

I have had them all for, maybe 5 months...

Now, I have just found what appears to be a new, smaller, Corydoras Sterbai.

I know there is some speculation as to exactly when the eggs of corys are impregnated during the mating ritual - but I don't think she could have had her eggs inseminated before coming to my tank, as I am reasonably certain she was also the only Sterbai in the tank she came from (she was actually a "pet" of the fish shop owner for a year before he sold her to me).

Any ideas? The offspring does not look like a cross-breed. Is there any chance my albine could actually be an albino Sterbai?!

 

[msjinkzd]

perhaps posting pics of your cories would help. Are you sure its not a bronze cory? I believe that the bronzes and albino's commonly offered in the trade are both the same species (c.aneus).

 

[fishorama]

I agree with msj. I have seen albino sterbai, they have the orangy pectoral spines so you could tell pretty easily. Hybrids of 2 species are also possible but less likely.

 

[Hooked Newbie]

I'd suspect it to be C. Aneus as well.

 

[pinkertd]

I agree on the "probably aeneus" as well. Cory's can't be pregnant when you acquire them. As they get ready to drop eggs, they get into the "T" position with the male cory to release his sperm and that is when fertilization takes place, her ventral fins fill with eggs, and she rushes off to deposit them around the aquarium.

 

[band_width_band]

Hi - thanks for the replies.

I haven't been able to take a pick of the little one yet - it is shy... However, it has the distinct spots of the Sterbai - doesn't look lile a bronze at all.

Moreover, my albino does not have orange pecs...

Now I am more confused.

Will keep trying to get a photo!

 

[jpappy789]

A photo would help...I wouldn't expect full coloration on the little one at this point anyways. I think it would be an aeneus, a hybrid is pretty unlikely.

 

[band_width_band]

Here is the new baby! Doesn't look like an aeneus to me, but keen to get your views!

 

[band_width_band]

And surely this one must be one of the parents!?

 

[Lupin]

The young fish does look oddly like C. sterbai. Any pics of the albino? Most of the albino cories sold are C. aeneus.