Sterbai Corydoras tank mates
Corydoras sterbai
6 rated pairings from the Sterbai Corydoras care guide. Compatibility here means water, temperament, tank zone and adult size all line up — the note on each card says why. Sterbai Corydoras needs at least 20 gallons on its own; every companion adds to that.
Excellent matches
3 · Same water, complementary zones, no conflict.
Neon Tetra
Paracheirodon innesi
10 gal min · 1.5" adult · Peaceful
Similar water parameters and peaceful temperament; occupy mid-water column without competing for bottom space
Rummy Nose Tetra
Hemigrammus rhodostomus
15 gal min · 2" adult · Peaceful
Warm-water compatible and peaceful schooling fish that won't disturb bottom-dwelling corydoras
Otocinclus
Otocinclus vittatus
10 gal min · 1.5" adult · Peaceful
Peaceful algae eaters with identical water requirements; both are docile bottom-feeders that coexist harmoniously
Good matches
3 · Compatible with normal care — watch space and numbers.
German Blue Ram
Mikrogeophagus ramirezi
20 gal min · 3" adult · Peaceful
Warm-water dweller with peaceful temperament; may occasionally compete for food but generally compatible
Red Cherry Shrimp
Neocaridina davidi
5 gal min · 1.2" adult · Peaceful
Peaceful invertebrates that occupy similar ecological niche; ensure adequate hiding places for shrimp
Bristlenose Pleco
Ancistrus sp.
20 gal min · 5" adult · Peaceful
Nocturnal algae eater with similar warm-water tolerance; both are bottom-dwellers but occupy different ecological roles
Also recommended alongside Sterbai Corydoras
Species whose own guides list Sterbai Corydoras as a tank mate.
Kuhli Loach
Pangio kuhlii
20 gal min · 4" adult · Peaceful
Denison Barb
Sahyadria denisonii
55 gal min · 6" adult · Peaceful
Keyhole Cichlid
Cleithracara maronii
20 gal min · 3.5" adult · Peaceful
Snowball Pleco
Hypancistrus inspector
20 gal min · 3.5" adult · Peaceful
Zebra Pleco
Hypancistrus zebra
30 gal min · 3.5" adult · Peaceful
Adolfo's Corydoras
Corydoras adolfoi
15 gal min · 2.5" adult · Peaceful
Australian Rainbowfish
Melanotaenia fluviatilis
30 gal min · 4" adult · Peaceful
Barbatus Corydoras
Corydoras barbatus
30 gal min · 4" adult · Peaceful
Cochu's Blue Tetra
Boehlkea fredcochui
20 gal min · 2" adult · Semi-aggressive
Delphax Corydoras
Corydoras delphax
15 gal min · 2" adult · Peaceful
Filament Barb
Dawkinsia filamentosa
30 gal min · 5" adult · Peaceful
Flying Fox
Epalzeorhynchos kalopterus
55 gal min · 5.5" adult · Semi-aggressive
Green Phantom Pleco
Hemiancistrus subviridis
40 gal min · 6" adult · Semi-aggressive
Julii Cichlid
Julidochromis transcriptus
30 gal min · 3" adult · Semi-aggressive
L270 Tapajos Red Pleco
Hemiancistrus sp. L270
55 gal min · 5.5" adult · Peaceful
Lake Tebera Rainbowfish
Melanotaenia herbertaxelrodi
30 gal min · 4" adult · Peaceful
Madagascar Rainbow
Bedotia geayi
40 gal min · 3.5" adult · Peaceful
Malabar Danio
Devario malabaricus
20 gal min · 3.5" adult · Peaceful
Parkinsoni Rainbowfish
Melanotaenia parkinsoni
30 gal min · 4.5" adult · Peaceful
Peacock Cichlid
Aulonocara spp.
55 gal min · 6" adult · Semi-aggressive
Pictus Catfish
Pimelodus pictus
55 gal min · 4.5" adult · Peaceful
Rainbow Cichlid
Herotilapia multispinosa
30 gal min · 5" adult · Semi-aggressive
Redtail Botia
Yasuhikotakia modesta
75 gal min · 5" adult · Semi-aggressive
Sailfin Pleco
Pterygoplichthys gibbiceps
150 gal min · 24" adult · Peaceful
Planning this tank?
Run the whole stock list through the calculator — it checks bioload and schooling numbers, not just pairings.