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Hi there, I could really do with some advice about how many peppered cories it would be best to have in my tank. So, at the moment I have three peppered cories in a smallish tank, which holds around 36 litres of actual water, or 10 US gallons, or 8 UK gallons. Maybe just a little under that though. It has a fairly large surface area for its size, and has a good filter. My pump has broken but I could get a new one with an air stone if that would be advisable? The cories share the tank with six cloud mountain minnows, and there are also three small plants (two plastic, one real). I know now that peppered cories are shoaling fish, so I am wondering whether I should get more of them, and if so how many, or if it is actually best to leave it at three because of the size of the tank. Unfortunately at the moment a larger tank is not an option, although of course it is something I want to do when I can!

Many thanks!

Ella

Also whoops, I meant to say that the one of the three cories is actually an aeneus not a peppered; from what I can tell the peppered cories don't differentiate between each other and the aeneus. So if it's a good idea to get some more, does it matter if I get aeneus or peppered? Sorry for not mentioning that before, I guess I'm a bit tired!

Ella,

If you wanted to add two or three more aeneus that would be fine. I wouldn't add any other fish to the tank as it would be too crowded.

Mark

Thanks so much, Mark.

Did you say aeneus rather than peppered for any particular reason? And would my cories be happier if I had two or three more, or does it not make a difference?

Ella

Hi Ella,
Yours corys is actually called C.paleatus.3 more will definitely make a big difference as corys are a shoaling fish and love to be in a shoal of 6+.They tends to bring out their natural behaviour and become less shy in the tank.You may even be able to breed them when they are at a breedable age,as they are quite a easy species to breed.Also,a shoal of 6+ will give you more chances of having a mixed of males and females in the group.

thank you very much!