Mixing 4 different types of corydoras in same tank, is it ok?

[Woodh]

I am more or less forced to downscale the hobby atleast for the time being.

I have corydoras sterbai(x13), leucomelas(x7), cw009(x6) and metae(x5+a couple of fry)

Would it be possible to house these 4 species in a tank together for the forseeable future? Mostly worried about crossbreeding, temperature should be fine at 25~ degrees celsisus I suppose?

Will probably have to keep them together for atleast a year or two, maybe longer. In worst case I could get a small solo tank for one of the species but id rather not if they can co-exist.

Any input is welcome

[bekateen]

Hi Woodh,

The C. sterbai, C. leucomelas and C. metae are all lineage 9 corys, and are thus possibly able to hybridize. The CW009 are in a different lineage (lineage 7) and would not likely cross-breed with the others.

That said, since you have groups of each species, they are more than likely going to breed with their own kind before they hybridize.

My guess is that if hybrids occur, it's because one species is actively spawning and the others aren't, but there might be a single male or female in the non-spawning species who wants some action and so they get with the other species.

Cheers, Eric

[Woodh]

Thanks Eric! Maybe ill try to squeeze a 3rd tank in there so I can separate the 3 lineage 9 corys, wouldn't be well recieved but don't think I can make myself give any of them up and don't wan't to risk hybridisation.