A highly popular and peaceful schooling catfish known for its striking white-on-black spotted pattern and bright orange pectoral fins. Uniquely among Corydoras, they thrive in higher temperatures, making them excellent bottom-dwelling companions for warm-water species like Discus. They are obligate shoalers and must be kept on fine sand to prevent the erosion and infection of their delicate barbels.
Sterba's Corydoras At a Glance
Sterba's Corydoras Tank Requirements
Will Sterba's Corydoras fit in your tank?
Care guides tell you what Sterba's Corydoras needs, the next question is whether your tank can safely provide it. Test Sterba's Corydoras against your tank size, maintenance needs, and the fish you already keep before you buy.
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Sterba's Corydoras Water Parameters
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Sterba's Corydoras Temperament & Compatibility
Sterba's Corydoras Varieties
Each variety inherits the species defaults above. Only differences are highlighted.
Standard
Same care requirements as the base species
Also known as: Wild Type, Spotted
Albino
Same care requirements as the base species
Also known as: Albino Sterbai, White Cory
Sterba's Corydoras Care Guide Summary
The Sterba's Corydoras, scientifically known as Corydoras sterbai, belongs to the Catfish family group. Adults reach a maximum size of approximately 6.8 cm and have a fusiform body shape with a moderate growth rate. Classified as peaceful, this species primarily occupies the bottom zone of the aquarium and produces a low level of biological waste.
To thrive, the Sterba's Corydoras requires a freshwater only aquarium with a minimum volume of 75 litres and a tank length of at least 60 cm. Water temperature should be maintained between 24°C and 28°C, with a pH range of 6–7.6 and a general hardness of 2–15 dGH. A moderate water flow is preferred.
The Sterba's Corydoras is a rewarding species to keep, provided its core environmental needs are met. This species is available in 2 varieties: Standard and Albino. Each may differ slightly in size, temperament, or care needs, so it is worth checking the specific requirements of the variety you plan to keep.
Sterba's Corydoras Habitat Setup
When setting up an aquarium for the Sterba's Corydoras, a moderate water flow best suits their natural preferences. Because this species occupies the bottom zone, the aquarium layout should prioritise sufficient floor space with hiding spots among rocks, wood, or dense planting. Useful additions include a sand substrate to accommodate their sifting behaviour.
Sterba's Corydoras Compatibility Notes
Classified as peaceful, the Sterba's Corydoras is a schooling species that feels most secure in a sizeable group, where natural shoaling behaviour reduces stress and brings out their best colours. When choosing tankmates, their energetic swimming style may stress more sedentary or timid species. Selecting tankmates that favour different water layers from the bottom zone can help reduce competition and territorial overlap.
Sterba's Corydoras Recommended Tank Sizes
Standard aquarium sizes that meet the minimum volume and length requirements for Sterba's Corydoras.
20 Gallon High
20 Gallon Long
29 Gallon Standard
30 Gallon Breeder
36 Gallon Bowfront
40 Gallon Breeder
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Frequently Asked Questions About Sterba's Corydoras
How big does Sterba's Corydoras get?
Sterba's Corydoras (Corydoras sterbai) typically reaches a maximum adult size of approximately 6.8 cm. They have a fusiform body shape and a moderate growth rate.
What tank size does Sterba's Corydoras need?
A minimum aquarium volume of 75 litres and a tank length of at least 60 cm are recommended for Sterba's Corydoras. This ensures enough swimming space and helps maintain stable water conditions.
What water parameters does Sterba's Corydoras need?
Sterba's Corydoras thrives in freshwater only conditions with a temperature range of 24–28°C, a pH between 6 and 7.6, and a general hardness of 2–15 dGH. A moderate water flow is preferred.
Is Sterba's Corydoras peaceful or aggressive?
Sterba's Corydoras is classified as peaceful with an aggression score of 1 out of 10. They are generally well-suited to peaceful community tanks.
How many Sterba's Corydoras should be kept together?
Sterba's Corydoras is a schooling species and should be kept in groups of at least 6. Larger groups help distribute aggression and encourage natural schooling behaviour.
Does Sterba's Corydoras have any special tank requirements?
Yes. Sterba's Corydoras benefits from sand (sifters) in the aquarium. These features help replicate their natural habitat and promote overall health and well-being.
Top Tank Mates for Sterba's Corydoras
These fish are strong compatibility matches for Sterba's Corydoras based on water preferences, temperament, adult size, and tank behavior.
Pygmy Rainbowfish
Melanotaenia pygmaea
Ideal Tank MatesParkinson's Rainbowfish
Melanotaenia parkinsoni
Ideal Tank MatesPacific Blue Eye
Pseudomugil signifer
Ideal Tank MatesOgilby's Rainbowfish
Melanotaenia ogilbyi
Ideal Tank MatesPearl Danio
Danio albolineatus
Ideal Tank MatesNew Guinea Rainbowfish
Melanotaenia affinis
Ideal Tank MatesPlants That Suit Sterba's Corydoras
These plants pair well with Sterba's Corydoras based on shared water preferences, layout fit, and how likely they are to hold up in the same aquarium.
African Onion Plant
Crinum calamistratum
Afzel's Anubias
Anubias afzelii
Amazon Sword
Echinodorus amazonicus
Anacharis
Egeria densa
Anubias Barteri
Anubias barteri
Ashy Pipewort
Eriocaulon cinereum
Fish Similar to Sterba's Corydoras
Bronze Corydoras
Corydoras aeneus
A highly popular, peaceful schooling catfish known for its armor-like scales (scutes) and active bottom-feeding behavior. They are essential clean-up crew members but require a dedicated sinking diet (not just leftovers). Sand substrate is strictly required to prevent erosion and infection of their sensitive barbels. They are 'gut breathers' and will occasionally dart to the surface to gulp atmospheric air.
Black Fin Cory
Corydoras leucomelas
A peaceful schooling catfish native to the Amazon basin, easily identified by its black dorsal fin and a dark mask-like band across its eyes. Like all Corydoras, they are bottom-dwellers that use sensitive barbels to forage. They possess a modified intestine allowing them to gulp atmospheric air, so occasional darts to the surface are normal. They are highly social and require a soft sandy substrate to prevent barbel erosion.
Peppered Corydoras
Corydoras paleatus
One of the most popular and hardy Corydoras species. Notably, they prefer cooler water temperatures than most tropical fish. They are peaceful, bottom-dwelling schooling fish that use their sensitive barbels to sift through the substrate for food. They must be kept in groups to thrive.
Panda Corydoras
Corydoras panda
A highly popular, peaceful schooling catfish easily identified by its black eye patches and spotted dorsal/tail fins, resembling a giant panda. Native to the cooler waters of the Ucayali river system in Peru, they require slightly lower temperatures than many standard tropical community fish. They are strict bottom-dwellers that sift through the substrate for food.
Duplicareus Corydoras
Corydoras duplicareus
A peaceful, highly social schooling catfish native to the upper Rio Negro basin in South America. They are easily identified by their bright orange patch on the snout and a broad black band running down their back. Like all Corydoras, they require soft sand to sift through without damaging their delicate sensory barbels.
Leopard Cory
Corydoras leopardus
A peaceful, highly social bottom-dwelling catfish known for its striking leopard-like spots and elongated snout. Unlike many fish, Corydoras require fine sand substrate to prevent severe damage to their delicate sensory barbels. They are obligate shoaling fish and must be kept in groups of at least 6 to feel secure and display natural continuous foraging behaviors.