Sterba's Corydoras tank mates
The standard warm-water cory for discus and apistogramma tanks. Tolerates 28–30 °C without the health decline that affects most corydoras at those temperatures.
Common mistakeMixing sterbai with cool-water corydoras in one tank is how keepers invent temperature conflict where one group always suffers quietly. Sterbai prefer warmer water than many common cory species. Keep temperature-matched schools — pretty mixed cory communities are often a compromise that fails slowly.
Each name below opens a pair check with Sterba's Corydoras. That check is the decision, not the list itself.
Usually safer companions
Conservative shortlist from this profile. Open a pair page before you buy.
The Sterba's Corydoras profile lists Cardinal Tetra as both safe and a recommended pairing. Cardinal Tetra schools in groups of 6 or more, so plan room for the whole group rather than one fish. Cardinal Tetra swims in the middle zone while Sterba's Corydoras stays in the bottom, so the two will not crowd the same water column.
The Sterba's Corydoras profile lists Dwarf Gourami as both safe and a recommended pairing. Dwarf Gourami swims in the top zone while Sterba's Corydoras stays in the bottom, so the two will not crowd the same water column.
The Sterba's Corydoras profile lists Rummy Nose Tetra as both safe and a recommended pairing. Rummy Nose Tetra schools in groups of 8 or more, so plan room for the whole group rather than one fish. Rummy Nose Tetra swims in the middle zone while Sterba's Corydoras stays in the bottom, so the two will not crowd the same water column.
Risky or situational
May work with more water, a mature system, or a species-only setup. Read the pair page before you experiment.
Marked risky or situational on the profile. Tank length and group size change the outcome more than a temperament label does.
Fish to avoid with Sterba's Corydoras
Predation, aggression, or space rules on this profile. Treat these as poor default mixes.
Jack Dempsey reaches 25cm and is flagged predatory. Sterba's Corydoras at 7cm is prey-sized for it. Jack Dempsey is rated aggressive and Sterba's Corydoras is rated peaceful. No community-style planning carries that gap.
Oscar reaches 35cm and is flagged predatory. Sterba's Corydoras at 7cm is prey-sized for it. Oscar needs at least 300L, far above the 100L minimum for Sterba's Corydoras. The tank that houses one stresses the other. Oscar is rated aggressive and Sterba's Corydoras is rated peaceful. No community-style planning carries that gap.
White Cloud Mountain Minnow conflicts with Sterba's Corydoras on temperament, predation, or footprint. The juvenile size in a shop tank is not the figure that matters here.
Tank size and groups
- Published minimum for Sterba's Corydoras: 100L. Group minimum 6 (schooling).
- Compatibility changes when the tank is too short for turning, too little for a real school, or too warm for one species and not the other. That is why pair checks include tank context, not only temperament.
- Nearest litre hub to this minimum: 100L hub.
Plan before you buy
Start a pair check with Sterba's Corydoras, or open a starter plan with the top safer companions in the builder.
Tank hubs: 100L
Related reading
Guides that list other fish with the same trait, so you can plan around the group rather than one row.
- Schooling & group fish →
Plan the group of 6+ before choosing tank mates.
- Beginner-friendly freshwater fish →
Sterba's Corydoras is on this list. Hardier options for a first stock.
- Peaceful community fish →
Other peaceful species to shortlist beside Sterba's Corydoras.
Filtration & heating
A 100L minimum tank for Sterba's Corydoras needs a filter rated for at least 400L/hr turnover and a heater maintaining 24–30°C.
Similar fish (same category)
- Bronze corydoras · min 100L
- Upside-down Catfish · min 100L
- Adolfoi cory · min 80L
- Emerald catfish (Brochis) · min 120L
- Glass Catfish · min 80L
- Peppered Corydoras · min 80L
- Corydoras Catfish · min 60L
- Julii Corydoras · min 60L
Related (care + temperament)
Sterba's Corydoras tank mates — quick answers
- What fish can live with Sterba's Corydoras?
- Usually safer companions on this hub include Cardinal Tetra, Dwarf Gourami, Rummy Nose Tetra. Open each pair check before you buy — the list is a shortlist, not a guarantee.
- What tank mates should you avoid with Sterba's Corydoras?
- Avoid Jack Dempsey, Oscar, White Cloud Mountain Minnow based on size, temperament, or predation risk on this profile.
- What size tank do Sterba's Corydoras need for a community?
- 100L is the planning floor for adult swimming space and bioload. A 122L+ tank is the more comfortable long-term footprint. Length and depth matter as much as raw litres for active or territorial fish.