Tankwise

A warm-water cory with a pretty pattern; a good cleaner for a warmer community tank.

  • Temperature24–28 °C
  • pH6–7.5
  • Minimum tank60 L
  • DifficultyBeginner
FoodSinking pellets + frozen bloodworm
Feeding1–2 feeds a day
Water change25% weekly

Behaviour and habits

Sterba's cory is a warm-water corydoras with a handsome pattern of pale spots on a dark body, and it is unusual in being happy at tropical temperatures that most corys dislike. It shoals closely, sifts the substrate for food and darts to the surface for air, and becomes far bolder and more active in a group of six or more. It is peaceful and makes a reliable bottom-dweller for a warm community tank.

What to feed, and how often

Sinking pellets or tablets plus frozen bloodworm and daphnia; feed once or twice a day, dropping the food near the group so it reaches the bottom. They are unfussy but need their share before faster surface fish steal it.

Water changes and maintenance

Change about 25% weekly with a gentle surface vacuum. Soft sand protects their barbels, and clean, warm, well-oxygenated water keeps this warm-water species in prime condition.

Care and how easy it is

Easy among corys, provided it is kept warm, on soft sand, in a group of six.

Lifespan

With good conditions and steady water quality, this species typically lives around 5–8 years in a home aquarium; some individuals live longer.

Common health problems

Barbel erosion on rough gravel, and fin rot in poor water.

If it gets sick

Fix the substrate and water first, then treat, and watch the barbels and fins for a few days.

Good tank mates

Cardinal tetraIntermediate
Cardinal tetraParacheirodon axelrodi
  • 23–28°C
  • pH 5–6.8
  • 60 L+
Tetras & rasboras · Peaceful · Omnivore
AngelfishIntermediate; adult territory planning
AngelfishPterophyllum scalare
  • 24-28 C
  • pH 6.0-7.4
  • 200 L+ nominal; 100 x 40 x 50 cm; conditional pair-only plan
Cichlids | Territorial when pairing | Omnivore
GuppyBeginner with population planning
GuppyPoecilia reticulata
  • 22-26 C
  • pH 7.0-8.5
  • 60 L+; 60 x 30 cm base
Livebearers | Social; males pursue females | Omnivore
PlatyBeginner
PlatyXiphophorus maculatus
  • 20–26°C
  • pH 7–8.2
  • 50 L+
Livebearers · Peaceful · Omnivore

Best avoided with

Similar species

CorydorasBeginner
CorydorasCorydoras paleatus
  • 20–26°C
  • pH 6–7.8
  • 60 L+
Catfish · Peaceful · Omnivore
Panda coryBeginner
Panda coryCorydoras panda
  • 22–26°C
  • pH 6–7.5
  • 50 L+
Catfish · Peaceful · Omnivore
Bronze coryBeginner with a planned bottom-dwelling group
Bronze coryCorydoras aeneus
  • 21-27 C
  • pH 6.0-8.0
  • 80 L+; 80 x 30 cm base
Catfish | Peaceful group forager | Omnivore
Julii coryBeginner
Julii coryCorydoras julii
  • 23–27°C
  • pH 6–7.5
  • 60 L+
Catfish · Peaceful · Omnivore

Compare at a glance

ParametersSterba's coryCorydorasPanda coryBronze cory
Parameters
Temp24–28 °C20–26 °C22–26 °C22–27 °C
pH6–7.56–7.86–7.56–8
GH4–15 °dGH2–15 °dGH4–15 °dGH4–18 °dGH
Min. tank60 L60 L50 L60 L
Size7 cm6 cm5 cm7 cm
DietOmnivoreOmnivoreOmnivoreOmnivore
TemperamentPeacefulPeacefulPeacefulPeaceful
DifficultyBeginnerBeginnerBeginnerBeginner

Care guides

GuideHow Often Should You Feed Fish?Overfeeding causes more aquarium problems than underfeeding. Here is a realistic feeding routine, and the signs that you are giving too much.GuideHow Often Should You Change Aquarium Water?Water changes remove waste that the filter cannot, and keep minerals topped up. There is no single number, but there is a simple way to find yours.

New to the words? See the aquarium glossary.

Sources and research notes

Parameters are typical ranges for the species in home aquariums and vary with the individual fish and the water you use.