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I have a few questions about stocking corys that I hope are not too stupid.
I have a 15 gallon "show tank". It's base measures 10" x 20". I guess this has about the same base size as a ten gallon tank only its taller. I am new to the hobby and didn't realize this at first. I have a golden gourami, 3 ottos (maybe too many?) and three Schwartzi corys in it. I wanted Sterbas corys instead of the Schwartzi. I think thier colors better compliment the gold gourami, but they were too expensive. Now I have a chance to get some at $9 each and want to put in two Sterbas. Trouble is I don't know if I have room! I want to stock lightly to avoid stress and disease.
I also have a 29 gallon tank with a blue gourami, five tiger barbs, two rosy barbs (which I want to take out but can't catch) three ottos and three Adolfos corys. I love these Adolfoi, their colors compliment that of the tigers and I have not had much of the aggression problems you hear about. My questions here are: Is three corys too small for a school? Would it be a good idea to move the Schwartzi to the 29 gallon with the adolfoi and get three Sterbai for the 15 gallon tank? That would then make a school of six in the 29 gallon and it would keep the bio load down in the 15 gallon.
I have a little trouble with the barbs getting the Hikari sinking wafers instead of the corys. Any suggestions here besides nocturnal feeding?
Thank you!

Your 15 gallon should be OK for 6 Cory's. My main Cory breeding tanks are 10" x 18" and 10" high aprox, 6 gal. I usually house groups of 6 or 7 breders in these. There are no other fish with them but you only have a few free swimming fish so I don't see any problems. The three Otto's will be OK as well, they are great little algae eaters. You should be OK to add anpther 4 or five Cory's to your larger tank comfortably, more C. adolfoi would be an impresive sight. Your idea of moving the C. schwartzi in with the C. adolfoi and adding C. sterbai to the smaller tank would be fine as well.

Ian

Thanks Coryman! I have a Penguin Bio wheel on that 15 gallon which I hear allows even more fish.
Is there any preventative medicine or treatment you would use during quarantine? I have been told to try Paragon by Aquatronics. how about de-worming?

I am not familier with the products you have in the USA. I quarentine fish and use a general tonic called 'Liquisil' its very good at settling fish that have traveled badly. I don't automatically treat for worms, its something I have rarely had to deal with.

Ian

The ingredients listed for Paragon: Dimethyl (2,2,2,-Triloro-1-Hydroxethyl) Phosphate, Nitrofurazone, NaCl, Isoniazid, Neomycin and Kanamycin Sulfate. I know that Neomycin and Kanamycin are broad spectrum antibiotics used here for fungus and bacterial infection. Dimethyl might be Dilox, and insecticide probably for treatment and prevention of flukes and external parasites. It says not to use on Dilox sensitive fish like Bala Sharks and Tinfoil Barbs.
What is in your stuff?
I guess it's best not to medicate at all if they seem healthy. I think the fishstore guy just wants to sell me products and does not care that much about the fish. I am learning some lessons.

Dimethyl (2,2,2,-trichloro-1-hydroxethyl) phosphate is indeed the same thing as dylox. Checked up the lethal dosages and they are apparently the same for catfishes as they are for barbs.
If it is no good for bala sharks and tinfoil barbs, then it's a safe bet that it's no good for catfishes (since they are all ostariophysans).

Thanks for checking on that for me Silurus. I returned that Paragon right away! I have since read an article that says that Dylox and copper based meds are bad for Ottos.

Would a salt bath be ok to clean up Corys before introducing to the main tank? If so how much salt in teaspoons or tablespoons would be safe?