Corydoras Cory

Common name:
Sterbai Cory

Scientific name:
Corydoras sterbai

Chinese name:
斯特拜鼠鱼

Japanese name:
ステルバイコリドラス

Size:
6–7 cm

Lifespan:
5–8 years

Level:
Beginner

Family:
Callichthyidae

pH:
6.0–7.5

Origin:
Brazil (Guaporé River Basin)

Water hardness:
Soft to moderate (2–12 dGH)

Diet:
Omnivore (sinking pellets, wafers, frozen and live food)

Ideal water Temperature:
24–28°C

Special care:
Prefers soft sandy substrate to prevent barbels damage; keep in groups of at least 5–6

Behavior:
Peaceful, bottom-dwelling schooling fish

Pros and cons:
Pros: Active bottom cleaner, peaceful, suitable for community tanks
Cons: Needs group, sensitive to rough substrate, requires good water quality

Long description:
Sterbai Corydoras are popular bottom-dwelling catfish known for their white spotted pattern and orange pectoral fins. They are social fish that thrive in groups and help keep the substrate clean by scavenging leftover food. A soft sandy substrate is recommended to protect their delicate barbels. They do best in planted community aquariums with peaceful tankmates and stable water parameters.

Photos are for illustration purposes only. Please refer to the stated dimensions for accurate sizing. We welcome you to visit our shop to personally select your fish.

Feel free to WhatsApp us with any questions, or drop by our shop for a consultation — we’re here to help you get everything right for your aquarium setup.

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Sterbai Corydoras Care in Singapore

The Sterbai Cory, Corydoras sterbai, is one of the most popular cories for good reason: it is peaceful, hardy, and unlike many cories it genuinely tolerates the warmer water that discus and other tropicals enjoy. The white-spotted dark body and orange pectoral fins look superb against a sand bottom, where you will see the whole shoal sift and forage as a busy little group along the substrate.

These are social fish that should be kept in groups of at least five or six; a lone cory is a stressed cory. Our ambient 27-29C suits sterbai well, often heaterless, and they do best over soft sand rather than sharp gravel, which can wear down and infect their delicate barbels. Condition our chloraminated tap water before changes and keep nitrate low with regular maintenance.

Find more bottom dwellers in our Corydoras range. We recommend our guide to the best sand for a Corydoras tank and our sand-bottom aquascape ideas when planning their home.