Can I add some Cories?

LJ · Post by LJ » 21 May 2003, 03:47

Hi -

I have a 37g tank (pH=6.8 , GH=3dGH, no measureble nitrate or ammonia) with a 4" gibby, 5 black phantom tetras, 8 cardinal tetras and 2 dwarf gouramis.
My gouramis are a recent addition and I think I need to get a couple more as I have 2 males and they are often chasing each other around the tank. I know I will someday need to get/find a bigger home for my gibby.

In the meantime, I'm thinking about adding some cories. My lfs has some "green gold" available right now ( Corydoras melanotaenia ). Would they make a suitable addition to my tank? If so, how many? I'm leaning towrd 3-4, but from what I've read here, 6 seems to be a "magic" number 'tho I'm not sure why. Can anyone explain why 6 are better than 4? (Or is this a question for the Callichthydiae forum?)

Thanks
Laura

Post by **Rusty** » 21 May 2003, 11:08

What kind of filtration do you have on the tank? Do you have some cover for them (I'm guessing no plants because of the gibby

)?

In general with cories, it's the more the merrier. I'd say four is an absolute minimum. If you get six, you'll have more luck breeding them in the future.

Rusty

Allan · Post by **Allan** » 21 May 2003, 13:45

Hi Laura

Even if you are not aming to breed the corys, they will feel safer in a bigger group. Also, the look of the aquarium is imo better, when these fish are in a school.

Your water values seems nice for the fish, only question i have is about your substrate. Makes sure, that it is rounded gravel or, as i prefer, sand. If the fish's barbels are damaged, they loose some of their good looks, and even worse, the fish are handicapped.

C. melanotaenia is imo a very pretty fish, and suitable for beginners (If this is your first cory)

Good luck

Allan

LJ · Post by LJ » 23 May 2003, 04:32

I have a Penguin 170 with Biowheel. My substrate is a rounded black gravel. I actually do have a couple groupings of plants and some java moss. Should I not have plants with a gibbiceps? So much to learn . . . I do regular partial water changes and have had this tank set up for about 4 months (originally just with the pl*co and cardinals).
OK, so you've convinced me of 6 eventhough I've no plans to breed them.
I have done some more looking around and have found a couple more species of cories locally: bronze cories and panda cories in addition to the green gold I saw originally. Among these 3 species, are there any advantages/disadvantages? These will be my first cories. They are very cool, though. I can imagine they won't be my last!
Thanks again!

Laura