Air for corys

[absoluteamateur]

I have read in the index that corydoras come to the surface to take oxygen bubbles, does this mean i will nedd an air pump to keep them?

 

[keane]

Hi,

In answer to your question...No, i don't think so.

So long as your filter creates enough surface agitation to create plenty of oxygen bubbles there will be no need for an airstone. I keep corys and have had no problems with them.

That's not to say you can't have one. Although I haven't got one myself I think they make a nice feature to an aquarium and will add extra oxygen and water movement in your tank.

Not sure whether too much 02 could cause some kind of CO2 problem though.

Hopefully some other members will put you right on this.

HTH

tbr

 

[corykitty516]

I keep small airstones in all of my tanks mostly because I like the way the bubbles look. All of my fish seem to love playing in them especially the cories i dont think they *need* them all the time though.
Other reasons for having airstones is if you ever have to use a med that recommends it or if you ever get a surface film that needs clearing up.
I even have air tubing running to my betta tanks so that I could drop an airstone in if I ever needed to.

 

[BobK]

The cories actually come to the surface to take a gulp of air. Their intestines allow them to absorb the oxygen in this air. If your water has poor oxygenation they will come to the surface more, but if your water has good oxygen levels you shouldn't need an air pump.

 

[sylvia]

Just to make something clear, cories normaly breathe like other fish through their gills. They only come up for air if their water does not have enough oxygen. So they only need extra aeration as much as any other fish does.

 

[absoluteamateur]

Thanks for all your replies very helpful