Fish comparison
Bronze Corydoras vs Sterbai Corydoras
How the Bronze Corydoras and Sterbai Corydoras compare on care, size, water and temperament, and which fish suits your tank.
By Mike ElmiraUpdated
TL;DR, Bronze Corydoras vs Sterbai Corydoras
The Bronze Corydoras and the Sterbai Corydoras are close cousins, both in the Corydoras group, so at a glance they ask for a lot of the same things. Both are happy somewhere around 24 to 26 °C and pH 6 to 7.5, so a single tank can suit either one. The Bronze Corydoras is the more forgiving of the two, which matters if this is an early tank, while the Sterbai Corydoras rewards a bit more attention. If tank space is tight, the Sterbai Corydoras needs less room to feel settled; give the Bronze Corydoras the nod when you have the litres to spare.
Group compatibility overview
Good fit
Workable as-is, only minor advisories to plan around.
1 warning · 2 notes
Temperature
- Bronze Corydoras20–26 °C
- Sterbai Corydoras24–30 °C
pH
- Bronze Corydoras6–7.5
- Sterbai Corydoras6–7.5
Hardness
- Bronze Corydoras3–15 dGH
- Sterbai Corydoras3–15 dGH
What to plan for
- Bronze Corydoras schools, stock at least 6You've planned for 1 bronze corydoras. Bronze Corydoras need a group of at least 6 to feel safe and shoal naturally, below that they're stressed and lose colour. Dial up the count, or remove the species.
- Sterbai Corydoras schools, stock at least 6You've planned for 1 sterbai corydoras. Sterbai Corydoras need a group of at least 6 to feel safe and shoal naturally, below that they're stressed and lose colour. Dial up the count, or remove the species.
- All fish are bottom-dwellersTop and middle of the tank will look empty, and surface food drops uneaten. Add a mid or top species (rasboras, danios, hatchetfish) to use the whole water column.
Full attributes
Every parameter, side by side| Parameter |  FishBronze CorydorasCorydoras aeneus |  FishSterbai CorydorasCorydoras sterbai |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Fish | Fish |
| Origin | South America (Colombia, Trinidad to Argentina) | Rio Guaporé basin, Brazil & Bolivia |
| Family | Callichthyidae | Callichthyidae |
| Temperature | 20–26 °C | 24–30 °C |
| pH | 6.0–7.5 | 6.0–7.5 |
| Hardness (dGH) | 3–15 | 3–15 |
| Flow rate | Low to Medium | Low to Medium |
| Min tank | 80 L | 75 L |
| Adult size | 6–7 cm | 6–7 cm |
| Difficulty | 1 / 5 | 2 / 5 |
| Lifespan | 5–10 yrs | 5–10 yrs |
| Diet | Omnivore (sinking food) | Omnivore (sinking) |
| Water column | Bottom | Bottom |
| Schooling | Yes | Yes |
| Plant safe | Yes | Yes |
| Shrimp safe | Yes | Yes (adult shrimp) |
Frequently asked questions
Direct answers to the questions search engines and AI assistants surface most often about this species.
Can you keep Bronze Corydoras and Sterbai Corydoras together?
Yes. Their temperature and pH ranges overlap around 24 to 26 °C and pH 6 to 7.5, so one set of water conditions keeps both comfortable. Match group sizes and cover the usual planted-tank basics and they share a tank fine.
Which is easier to keep, the Bronze Corydoras or the Sterbai Corydoras?
The Bronze Corydoras is the easier of the two, closer to very easy, while the Sterbai Corydoras leans beginner-friendly.
Do Bronze Corydoras and Sterbai Corydoras need the same water?
Close to it. Aim for 24 to 26 °C and pH 6 to 7.5 and you're in the shared sweet spot for both. Full ranges are in the table above.
What's the main difference between the Bronze Corydoras and the Sterbai Corydoras?
Space. The Bronze Corydoras wants about 80 litres minimum and the Sterbai Corydoras around 75, so tank size can settle it.