Albino Corys

[Shaun]

Hi,

I would love to have some albino corys in my 22g community tank but want to know if they they will be ok or not before i go ahead as my LFS always say " Yea, they should be fine" but half the time they just say this as they dont have a clue.

Firstly i just wanted to know if the tank is too small? The fish ive got in the tank are 2 Dwarf gouramis, 3 guppies, 3 platies and 6 neon tetras. The tank has 3 live plants a large piece of bogwood and a gravel substrate.

Thanks,

Shaun

 

[Barracuda518]

Cories would be fine in a 22 gallon tank. Those fish you have in there shouldnt bother the cories either. Make sure you get a couple of cories (at least 3) because they like to be in groups. You have chosen a good cory to start out with

 

[cegha]

You should keep them in groups more so of 4-5+.

The only downside is some people here will tell you that gravel will be a bad substrate because it will wear down there barbels, as these guys like to try and dig alot and they can't dig on rocks as big as there heads.

There was a topic about there barbels actually degrading due to substrate or infections. Someone kept corys in like crushed glass substrate (like not dull but sharp), and they actually didn't have barbel degradation.

Ideally you would take out all your rock substrate and go replace it with like playsand. Again note i said ideally. If you got an established tank and don't feel like undergoing (or spending the money) on something as big as this, i would say the cory's might not be as super happy as if they had playsand but they would still be fine.

Again some people are going to contest this and say like sand substrate is an absolute must, but i think it's more of a large rocks are least desirable and playsand on the most desirable end of the spectrum.

 

[jollysue]

You might be pushing it to put 4 or 5 cories in with the present population, especially cories that get as large as albino C. aeneus. The cories will probably make it, but your other fish might have oxygen problems. Perhaps just add a few at a time with time between.

I think I agree with cegha about the substrate. The biggest issue is to vacum and keep the substrate clean, so the barbells don't get infected. Cories are on the bottom and are using their barbells to search for food. If there is leftover food and rotting stuff they are in danger of infections.

 

[Shaun]

Ok then, thanks for all your comments

What would be the size of an adult albino?

Thanks

 

[Barracuda518]

You might be pushing it to put 4 or 5 cories in with the present population, especially cories that get as large as albino C. aeneus. The cories will probably make it, but your other fish might have oxygen problems. Perhaps just add a few at a time with time between.

Thats why I said 3. The guppies and platties are going to reproduce a lot to and that might be a problem in the long run.

Also about the gravel. If the gravel is too big or sharp, then its probably going to hurt the barbels. Cories like to move stuff around to find food. If the gravel is too sharp and big, then they might wear down their barbels trying to move it. Also, small gravel can be just as sharp as big gravel. I had to change some gravel a couple months ago because I was a afraid it was affecting the cories. I didnt have any sand when I set the tank up and couldnt find the kind I wanted at the time. I noticed a difference after I changed it to sand. Just my opinion.

EDIT: C. aeneus can get up to 3"

 

[Shaun]

Ok then, thanks for that information. Here is a pic of the gravel i have below, would it be ok or not? I just want to make sure before i look into getting them as if it is abit big/sharp then il give it a miss.

Thanks

Sorry it isnt a very clear photo

 

[jollysue]

Is it pea gravel--the round smooth stuff?

 

[Shaun]

Yea it is pea gravel with rounded edges.

 

[Amerce]

Your cory's will have no problem with pea gravel as it is nice and smooth, I have it in my tank and the cory and their fry have no problems with it, no barbel damage or anything.

 

[Shaun]

Ok then thanks for your help. Would Albino Cories be ok as this would be my first time in keeping them? Also what different types of food do you feed them?

Thanks

 

[jollysue]

Just keep the gravel clean.

Cories lurve insects. Black worms, bloodworms, etc., also some sinking bottom feeder tabs (Hikari for instance) and a little green or an algae tab occasionally. You may feed the tabs regularly with a frozen bloodworm treat occasionally and part of an algae tab once in awhile. Three cories may not eat a whole tab. Just feed what they will finish. If you want them to be delighted and ready to breed, feed them worms.

As Barracuda said the C. aeneus (any variety) are perfect! Albinos are usually albino C. aeneus, although occasionally you will see another species that is albino. Albino peppers are an equally good starter species.

 

[Shaun]

Ok thanks jollysue for all the advice