Sterbai Corydoras Catfish – Tank-Bred in Texas | Peaceful Bottom Cleaner, 1.0–1.5 in Juveniles

Sterbai Corydoras are a peaceful, active, and classic Corydoras species known for their bold spotted body pattern, orange pectoral fins, and constant schooling behavior. Their attractive contrast and hardy nature make them one of the most popular Corydoras for planted tanks, discus tanks, and peaceful community aquariums.

These fish are tank-bred in Texas, making them a stronger and better-acclimated option compared with many imported Corydoras. They are small, hardy, and social bottom-dwelling catfish that spend their time exploring the substrate, sifting through sand, and schooling with other Corydoras.

The fish currently available are juveniles around 1.0–1.5 inches. Adult Sterbai Corydoras typically reach about 2.25–2.5 inches when fully grown.

Species Information

Common Name: Sterbai Corydoras, Sterba’s Cory, Sterbai Cory Catfish
Scientific Name: Corydoras sterbai
Adult Size: About 2.25–2.5 inches
Current Sale Size: Approximately 1.0–1.5 inches
Temperament: Very peaceful
Care Level: Easy to moderate
Tank Level: Bottom-dweller
Diet: Omnivore
Lifespan: Often 5+ years with good care

Recommended Tank Setup

Sterbai Corydoras do best in a mature aquarium with clean, stable water. They should be kept in groups because they are social fish and become more confident and active when kept with their own kind.

Minimum Tank Size: 20 gallons recommended
Group Size: 6 or more strongly recommended
Temperature: 74–82°F
pH: 6.5–7.8
Substrate: Sand or smooth fine gravel preferred
Tankmates: Peaceful community fish such as tetras, rasboras, guppies, endlers, discus, angelfish, small peaceful gouramis, shrimp, snails, and other Corydoras

Sterbai Corydoras are one of the better Corydoras choices for slightly warmer community tanks, which is why they are often kept with discus and other warm-water peaceful fish.

Avoid sharp gravel because Corydoras use their barbels to search the substrate for food. A soft sand bottom is ideal.

Feeding

Corydoras are not “trash cleaners” and should be fed directly. They enjoy a varied diet of:

Sinking pellets, bottom feeder tablets, frozen bloodworms, frozen brine shrimp, daphnia, blackworms, Repashy, and high-quality micro pellets.

They will help pick up leftover food, but they still need their own sinking foods to stay healthy.

Why Choose These Corydoras?

These Sterbai Corydoras are:

Tank-bred in Texas
Peaceful and beginner-friendly
Great for planted and community tanks
Good for warmer peaceful aquariums
Naturally active schooling bottom fish
Classic spotted Corydoras with orange fins
Raised locally and acclimated to aquarium conditions

Important Notes

Corydoras should be kept in groups, not alone. For best health and behavior, keep at least 6 together. They are peaceful and should not be housed with aggressive or large predatory fish.

Live arrival guarantee. Please acclimate slowly and place them into a fully cycled aquarium.