Sterbai Corydoras (Hoplisoma sterbai) are small armored catfish from the Guaporé River drainage of South America, especially regions associated with Brazil and Bolivia. In the wild, they occur in smaller rivers, tributaries, and seasonally flooded forest pools where soft, warm water, leaf litter, sand, and submerged structure shape their natural habitat.

This species is known for its dark body covered in bright pale spotting, orange pectoral fins, and compact bottom-dwelling body shape. Like other cory-type catfish, Sterbai Corydoras have protective body plates, sensitive barbels for searching through soft substrate, and the ability to take occasional air from the surface.

Sterbai Corydoras are highly valued in aquariums for their active group behavior, warm-water tolerance, and steady bottom-level movement. They are especially useful in peaceful community tanks where a social, sand-sifting bottom dweller adds constant activity and natural foraging behavior to the display.