Sterba's cory
Corydoras sterbai
A spotted cory with bright orange pectoral fins that takes warmer water than most, making it a classic discus-tank companion.
Key facts
- Body length
- 2.6 in without fins
- Minimum tank
- 13 gallons
- Group
- 6+
- Temperament
- Peaceful
- Care level
- 1 / 5
- Lifespan
- Not well documented
- Diet
- Sinking wafers, pellets, frozen bloodworm
- Origin
- Rio Guaporé basin, Bolivia and Brazil
- Hardier than57%
- Bigger than39%
- Calmer than68%
Water: their range vs yours
Sterba's cory tank mates
- Neon tetraGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Harlequin rasboraGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Fancy guppyGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Panda corydorasGets along in shared water.Good mates
- OtocinclusGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Cherry shrimpGets along in shared water.Good mates
- BettaGets along in shared water.Good mates
- AngelfishGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Tiger barbGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Amano shrimpGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Black neon tetraGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Black widow tetraGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Chinese algae eaterChinese algae eater attacks fish with a similar shape or colour: Sterba's cory.Risky
- Clown loachClown loach attacks fish with a similar shape or colour: Sterba's cory.Risky
- DemasoniDemasoni attacks fish with a similar shape or colour: Sterba's cory.Risky
- Firemouth cichlidFiremouth cichlid can eat young or small Sterba's cory; adults are big enough to be safe.Risky
- Golden mbunaGolden mbuna attacks fish with a similar shape or colour: Sterba's cory.Risky
- GoldfishGoldfish can eat young or small Sterba's cory; adults are big enough to be safe.Risky
- Blue dolphin cichlidBlue dolphin cichlid can eat Sterba's cory: prey body depth 1.4 cm ≤ mouth 6.3 cm.Avoid
- Convict cichlidConvict cichlid can eat Sterba's cory: prey body depth 1.4 cm ≤ mouth 3.8 cm.Avoid
- Iridescent sharkIridescent shark can eat Sterba's cory: prey body depth 1.4 cm ≤ mouth 32.5 cm.Avoid
- Jewel cichlidJewel cichlid can eat Sterba's cory: prey body depth 1.4 cm ≤ mouth 3.8 cm.Avoid
- OscarOscar can eat Sterba's cory: prey body depth 1.4 cm ≤ mouth 12.3 cm.Avoid
- SeverumSeverum can eat Sterba's cory: prey body depth 1.4 cm ≤ mouth 5.0 cm.Avoid
How we check
The numbers the tank model uses for Sterba's corys: water as ideal and tolerated ranges, bioload from adult mass, space, flow and how they act on other species.
- Standard length
- 6.5 cm (SL)
- Adult mass
- 4.12 g
- Bioload at 25 °C
- 2.69 BU
- Min. water
- 41 L net
- Min. footprint
- 45 × 30 cm per group
- Group
- 6+ (best 8)
- Swims in
- bottom
- Flow
- low
- Body / fins
- fusiform, normal fins
- Diet type
- omnivore
- Fin nipper
- none
- Sensitive to
- copper
Sources: Seriously Fish: Corydoras sterbai
Care notes
Sterba's corys come from the Rio Guaporé basin on the border of Bolivia and Brazil. Their bodies are heavily spotted, and the orange leading rays of the pectoral fins stand out over pale sand.
They handle 75–82°F, so they suit warmer tanks with discus or angelfish where other corys struggle. Keep a group of six or more on fine sand; they are peaceful and fit tanks from 10 gallons with an 18-inch footprint.
Questions
What size tank does a sterba's cory need?
At least 13 gallons (41 litres of water after decor). Adults reach about 2.6 inches without fins.
How many Sterba's corys should be kept together?
Keep at least 6, ideally 8 or more: fewer feel exposed and hide or turn nippy.
What water do Sterba's corys need?
75–82 °F, pH 6–7.6 and 1–15 dGH. Sterba's corys come from Rio Guaporé basin, Bolivia and Brazil.
How long do Sterba's corys live?
Not well documented with good care.
What fish can live with Sterba's corys?
Good tank mates include Neon tetra, Harlequin rasbora, Fancy guppy, Panda corydoras and Otocinclus. Each is checked both ways for size, fin nipping, temperament, territory and shared water.