๐Ÿ  Fish Compatibility Guide

Can Fire Eel and Sterbai Cory Live Together?

Updated September 23, 2026 ยท FishCare AI Editorial Team

โŒ Not Compatible โ€” Compatibility Score: 32/100
32/100 โ€” Not Compatible

Fire Eel and Sterbai Cory Compatibility Overview

Fire Eel and Sterbai Cory are generally not recommended to be housed together. The adult size gap creates a meaningful predation risk. Review the behavior and water details before deciding whether to attempt the pairing.

Compatibility factors for Fire Eel and Sterbai Cory
FactorFire EelSterbai CoryVerdict
Temperature75โ€“82ยฐF75โ€“82ยฐFโœ… 75โ€“82ยฐF
pH Range6.0โ€“7.06.0โ€“7.6โœ… 6.0โ€“7.0
Temperamentsemipeacefulโš ๏ธ Monitor
Adult Size39.4 in2.6 inโŒ 15ร— difference
Min. Group1+6+See below
Min. Tank Size100 gallons (for both species)โ€”

Compatibility Positives

A stable shared temperature range is available.
Their pH requirements overlap.
Temperament risk is relatively low when normal group sizes are maintained.

Incompatibility Reasons

The adult size gap creates a meaningful predation risk.

Species Profiles

Fire Eel โ€” Mastacembelus erythrotaenia

Fire Eel and Sterbai Cory compatibility โ€” Fire Eel

The Fire Eel is a stunning, red-bottomed species that requires a spacious tank. They are peaceful bottom feeders and do best in a well-planted, mature aquarium. With a moderate activity level, they can be a great addition to a community tank, but their size and diet may be incompatible with smaller fish.

โ†’ Full Fire Eel care guide

Sterbai Cory โ€” Corydoras sterbai

Fire Eel and Sterbai Cory compatibility โ€” Sterbai Cory

The Sterbai Cory, known for its dark brown coloration with silver spots, is a popular bottom-dwelling fish. With a peaceful temperament, it is well-suited for community tanks. It requires a well-planted tank with plenty of hiding spots and moderate water flow. Regular water changes and a balanced diet are essential for their health.

โ†’ Full Sterbai Cory care guide

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Fire Eel live with Sterbai Cory?

Generally not recommended. Fire Eel and Sterbai Cory are generally not recommended to be housed together. The adult size gap creates a meaningful predation risk. Review the behavior and water details before deciding whether to attempt the pairing.

What tank size do I need for Fire Eel and Sterbai Cory together?

A minimum of 100 gallons is recommended for keeping Fire Eel and Sterbai Cory together. A larger tank improves water stability and reduces territorial conflict.

What temperature suits both Fire Eel and Sterbai Cory?

75โ€“82ยฐF โ€” inside Fire Eel's 75โ€“82ยฐF and Sterbai Cory's 75โ€“82ยฐF.

Is a Fire Eel aggressive toward a Sterbai Cory?

The adult size gap creates a meaningful predation risk.

Related Compatibility Guides

Tank Size for Fire Eel and Sterbai Cory

Use the scenario that matches the actual group sizes and temperament you plan to keep.

ScenarioTankWhen it applies
Minimum viable114 galOnly for the recommended minimum groups, mature filtration, and close monitoring.
Recommended community180 galAdds territory, swimming room, and a safer buffer for behavior.
Low-conflict setup220 galBest when keeping larger schools or reducing territorial pressure.