Description
Sterbai Corydoras
Sterbai Corydoras are one of the most popular and striking members of the Corydoras family, easily recognized by their bold white spotting over a dark brown body and contrasting orange pectoral fins. These peaceful bottom dwellers are active, social, and perfect for community tanks, where they can often be seen darting around in playful schools or calmly sifting through the substrate.
Hardy and beginner-friendly, Sterbai Corys are ideal for aquarists looking for an energetic, low-maintenance species that adds both utility and personality to the lower levels of their tank.
Scientific Name: Corydoras sterbai
Common Names: Sterbai Cory, Sterba’s Corydoras
Size: Grows up to 2.5 inches (6.4 cm)
Color: Dark body with white spots, orange to yellow fin highlights
Lifespan: 5–8 years with proper care
Tank Size: Minimum 20 gallons (best kept in groups of 5 or more)
Temperature: 72–82°F (22–28°C)
Temperament: Peaceful and social; thrives in groups
Diet: Omnivorous; enjoys sinking pellets, wafers, frozen bloodworms, and brine shrimp
Care Tips:
• Use fine sand or smooth gravel to protect their sensitive barbels
• Keep them in schools of 5+ to encourage natural, confident behavior
• Provide a well-oxygenated tank with hiding spots and live plants
• Perform regular water changes—Sterbai are sensitive to poor water quality
• Compatible with most peaceful tank mates including tetras, rasboras, gouramis, and dwarf cichlids
Ideal For:
• Community aquariums with peaceful species
• Aquarists looking for a cleanup crew with charm
• Beginners and experienced hobbyists alike
Add the cheerful, always-busy Sterbai Corydoras to your aquarium and enjoy the liveliness and teamwork of one of the hobby’s most beloved bottom dwellers!
Fish Quarantine Process
At 10 Gallon Fish Tanks, we take the health of our fish seriously. Every fish we bring in undergoes a strict 2-4 week quarantine process to ensure they are free of parasites, fungal infections, and bacterial diseases before being introduced to our main tanks.
During this quarantine period, fish are treated with the “Med Trio” as needed:
• Paracleanse – Targets internal & External parasites like worms and protozoans. Things like fish lice, tapeworms, hole in the head, skin and gill flukes.
• Ich-X – Treats external parasites and fungus. Treats Ich and white spot disease.
• Maracyn – An antibiotic that combats bacterial infections, preventing issues like fin rot, skin redness, open wounds, swollen eyes etc.
This quarantine protocol ensures that every fish we sell are healthy, acclimated to Tennessee water, and ready to thrive in their new home.
Water Parameters for Healthy Fish
To help you achieve the best results when acclimating your new fish, we’ve included a photo showing the exact water parameters we maintain in our tanks. These values are carefully monitored and kept stable, ensuring that each fish grows and thrives in a healthy, natural environment.
By following these parameters at home, you can provide the smoothest transition possible for your fish, helping them settle in quickly and comfortably. We’re dedicated to setting you up for success with your new fish, and sharing these details is part of our commitment to their health and your enjoyment.
Shipping Information:
- Our fish, shrimp, & snails are carefully packaged in breathable bags.
- The shipping box is well-insulated to maintain optimal conditions. In most cases, additional heating or cooling packs are not necessary. However, to ensure the health and survival of the fish, shrimp, & snails it is essential that they are brought indoors promptly upon arrival, particularly in extreme weather conditions (either hot or cold). Please monitor the tracking number for updates on the estimated delivery time.
- We ship on Mondays (unless you have a special requested shipping time) with all orders processed by 10 AM. We currently only ship within the United States.
- If there are extreme weather conditions, we may postpone shipments until weather is better to make sure your shrimp arrive safely.
- In the unlikely event of a DOA (Dead on Arrival), we will refund the cost of the fish, shrimp, or snail provided that a photograph of the deceased animal, is still in the packaging, and is submitted within 1 hour of delivery of the package. Please note that any additional shipping costs for the replacement are the responsibility of the buyer. While our shipping methods are designed to minimize the risk of DOA, we cannot control the handling by postal employees or drivers.
We are committed to ensuring your satisfaction with your order. Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any concerns.
