Common name
Sterbai cory
Scientific name
Hoplisoma sterbai
Category
Freshwater fish
Group
Corydoradine catfishes
Environment
Freshwater
Origin
Upper Guaporé River basin in Brazil and Bolivia
Care level
Easy to intermediate
Adult size
About 5–7 cm
Expected lifespan
About 5–10 years
Minimum housing
At least 120 L with a 90 cm or longer footprint for a group
Temperature
24–28 °C
pH
6.0–7.6
Hardness / minerals
2–15 dGH
Salinity
Freshwater
Lighting
Subdued to normal with shaded refuges
Placement / swimming zone
Bottom and lower midwater

Identity and search names

Single-species profile for Hoplisoma sterbai. Corydoras sterbai is the former combination. Its pale spots on a dark head help separate it from superficially similar species.

Search names: Sterba’s cory, Corydoras sterbai

Environment and housing

Use smooth sand, open foraging areas, wood and plant shade, and unobstructed surface access.

Water stability: Maintain 24–28 °C; pH 6.0–7.6; minerals: 2–15 dGH; salinity: Freshwater. Stability, dissolved oxygen and nitrogen-cycle control matter more than chasing one exact reading.

Feeding and nutrition

Feeding ecology: Sinking complete omnivore foods plus small frozen or live invertebrates; incidental leftovers and algae are insufficient

Feeding routine: Feed across several bottom locations after faster fish have eaten and confirm every fish develops a healthy abdominal profile.

Social structure and compatibility

Keep at least eight of the same species

Suitable with peaceful warm-water fish that do not monopolise bottom foods; avoid aggressive cichlids and sharp substrate. Retain a cycled separation option for aggression, feeding exclusion, predation, injury or disease.

Adult load and life support

Projected adult load: Moderate for an eight-plus group, with concentrated bottom feeding and sand-trapped solids requiring active management.

Filtration: Use mature biological filtration, efficient mechanical capture and gentle-to-moderate circulation across the bottom.

Aeration: Maintain high dissolved oxygen and open surface access, particularly because the species is often kept at warmer temperatures.

Maintenance: Vacuum exposed waste, preserve beneficial biofilm, change water regularly and inspect barbels, bellies and breathing rate.

Breeding and reproduction

T-position spawning with adhesive eggs deposited on glass, plants or decor. Do not compromise adult welfare, genetic identity, quarantine capacity, containment or lawful rehoming to attempt breeding.

Quarantine, welfare and risk

Quarantine: Quarantine new fish in a separate fully cycled system for at least 30 days at the intended temperature and mineral chemistry. Use dedicated equipment; observe appetite, respiration, faeces, skin, fins, gills and behaviour; never add transport water to the display.

Welfare checks: Monitor group contact, barbels, abdominal condition, surface-breathing frequency, skin lesions and equal access to sinking food. Track individual body condition, feeding access, respiration, injury, abnormal hiding or aggression and use of the intended swimming zone.

Important warning

Do not keep one or two as cleanup fish. Plan an eight-plus same-species group and oxygen support at the chosen warm temperature.

Main risk: Warm water, poor oxygen and dirty sharp substrate can damage a group even when routine test results appear acceptable.

Australian biosecurity and release

Never release fish, fry, eggs, aquarium water, sediment, plants, live food or wet equipment into drains, dams or natural waterways. Australian import eligibility is species-specific: check the current permitted ornamental-fish list and BICON conditions by accepted scientific name. Import requires a permit, an approved source country and approved-arrangement isolation. Check current South Australian noxious-fish and movement rules before purchase, sale, transport, stocking or disposal.

Current check: Current lawful import, possession, stocking or movement must be checked by accepted scientific name. Absence from one state list is not import approval.

Detailed husbandry

Identity Scope
Single-species profile for Hoplisoma sterbai. Corydoras sterbai is the former combination. Its pale spots on a dark head help separate it from superficially similar species.
Adult Size And Space
Expected adult size: About 5–7 cm. Minimum permanent housing: At least 120 L with a 90 cm or longer footprint for a group. Adult dimensions, group or territory needs, swimming footprint, oxygen demand and waste production matter more than juvenile sale size.
Social Structure
Keep at least eight of the same species
Swimming Zone
Primary zone: Bottom and lower midwater. Keep that zone open enough for normal movement, feeding, refuge and escape.
Feeding Ecology
Sinking complete omnivore foods plus small frozen or live invertebrates; incidental leftovers and algae are insufficient
Feeding Plan
Feed across several bottom locations after faster fish have eaten and confirm every fish develops a healthy abdominal profile.
Water Stability
Maintain 24–28 °C; pH 6.0–7.6; minerals: 2–15 dGH; salinity: Freshwater. Stability, dissolved oxygen and nitrogen-cycle control matter more than chasing one exact reading.
Adult Projected Load
Moderate for an eight-plus group, with concentrated bottom feeding and sand-trapped solids requiring active management.
Filtration
Use mature biological filtration, efficient mechanical capture and gentle-to-moderate circulation across the bottom.
Aeration
Maintain high dissolved oxygen and open surface access, particularly because the species is often kept at warmer temperatures.
Maintenance
Vacuum exposed waste, preserve beneficial biofilm, change water regularly and inspect barbels, bellies and breathing rate.
Habitat Structure
Use smooth sand, open foraging areas, wood and plant shade, and unobstructed surface access.
Compatibility Plan
Suitable with peaceful warm-water fish that do not monopolise bottom foods; avoid aggressive cichlids and sharp substrate. Retain a cycled separation option for aggression, feeding exclusion, predation, injury or disease.
Breeding Plan
T-position spawning with adhesive eggs deposited on glass, plants or decor. Do not compromise adult welfare, genetic identity, quarantine capacity, containment or lawful rehoming to attempt breeding.
Quarantine
Quarantine new fish in a separate fully cycled system for at least 30 days at the intended temperature and mineral chemistry. Use dedicated equipment; observe appetite, respiration, faeces, skin, fins, gills and behaviour; never add transport water to the display.
Welfare Checks
Monitor group contact, barbels, abdominal condition, surface-breathing frequency, skin lesions and equal access to sinking food. Track individual body condition, feeding access, respiration, injury, abnormal hiding or aggression and use of the intended swimming zone.
Biosecurity And Release
Never release fish, fry, eggs, aquarium water, sediment, plants, live food or wet equipment into drains, dams or natural waterways. Australian import eligibility is species-specific: check the current permitted ornamental-fish list and BICON conditions by accepted scientific name. Import requires a permit, an approved source country and approved-arrangement isolation. Check current South Australian noxious-fish and movement rules before purchase, sale, transport, stocking or disposal.
Main Risk
Warm water, poor oxygen and dirty sharp substrate can damage a group even when routine test results appear acceptable.
Overridable Warnings
Do not keep one or two as cleanup fish. Plan an eight-plus same-species group and oxygen support at the chosen warm temperature.

Sources

Current accepted identity or qualified trade identity, former names, adult scale, social structure, feeding ecology, adult projected load, filtration, aeration, maintenance, quarantine, welfare, Australian import controls and South Australian movement, stocking or no-release obligations were rechecked. AquaNexus wording is original.