Sterba's cory

Hoplisoma sterbai

Also known as Corydoras sterbai

FreshwaterFish

Sterba's cory (Hoplisoma sterbai) — Matthew Mannell · Public domain

Care at a glance

Temperature: 75–82°F; 24–28°C
pH: 6.0–7.5
Adult size: 2.6 in; 6.5 cm
Minimum tank: 20 gal; 75 L

Temperament: Peaceful
Social behavior: Shoaling
Swim level: Bottom
Difficulty: Easy
Breeding: Egg depositor · Medium
Rarity: Common
Family: Callichthyidae
Origin: Bolivia, Brazil

Overview

Sterba's cory is a peaceful cory for the bottom of a warm-water community tank. It is easy to keep and makes a good first cory.

Did you know

Sterba's cory is one of the few corys that prefers tropical heat. That is why it pairs so well with discus and other warm-water fish that most corys cannot handle long term.

Caring for the Sterba's cory

Keep Sterba's corys in a group of six or more, in a tank of 20 gal (75 L) or larger. Use a fine sand substrate so they can sift without scratching their barbels, with shade from plants or wood.

Keep the water soft to neutral and warm, at 75 to 82°F (24 to 28°C) and a pH of 6.0 to 7.5. Feed sinking pellets, frozen foods and the occasional algae wafer.

They are completely peaceful and safe with other community fish. Sterba's corys spawn in the classic cory T-position, and the female carries the eggs in her pelvic fins before sticking them to surfaces. Breeding them takes moderate effort.

Good to know

Sterba's cory is a small armored catfish in the family Callichthyidae. Like other Corydoras, it has bony plates and stiff fin spines. The spotted pattern on its head and the orange in its pectoral fins set it apart from lookalike species. With good care, it can live well past five years.

In the wild

Sterba's cory comes from the Guapore river basin on the border of Bolivia and Brazil. It lives over soft sand and silt in warm, slow tributaries, picking through the bottom for food.

Weekly picks

Tank mates

The Sterba's cory is a peaceful, shoaling species that keeps to the bottom. These picks share a community profile with it, are safe together in both directions, and overlap on water type, temperature and pH.

Check the full mix in the stocking calculator

Common questions

What size tank does a Sterba's cory need?

A Sterba's cory needs at least 20 gal (75 L). It spends most of its time in the bottom.

What temperature and pH does a Sterba's cory need?

A Sterba's cory is comfortable at 75–82°F (24–28°C) with a pH of 6.0–7.5.

What does a Sterba's cory eat?

A Sterba's cory eats sinking pellets and frozen foods, with the occasional algae wafer.

How big does a Sterba's cory get?

An adult Sterba's cory reaches about 2.6 in (6.5 cm).

Does a Sterba's cory need a group?

Yes. A Sterba's cory is a shoaling species and should be kept in a group, not singly.

How does a Sterba's cory breed?

Sterba's corys spawn in the classic cory T-position. The female carries the eggs in her pelvic fins, then sticks them to surfaces, and breeding them takes moderate effort.