Best / worst types of corydoras?

[ellamay]

All corys are great! I haven't heard of UK members having any issues with pandas. I've had a group for two years now with no deaths. If you provide the right conditions - check on Seriouslyfish.com- any of those types will be good choices.
As others have said, space and a decent group are needed, I would also say soft sand substrate is a requirement but some people have success with smooth pea gravel where there maintenance is of a high standard.

I wouldn't recommend combining betta with cory - cory tend to like cooler water and betta need it pretty warm. But in principle, the betta should be the last one to go in the tank because they are territorial. Most fish keepers here regard betta splendens as a fish that should be housed alone.

I did wonder if it might be different in different countries as I haven't actually seen that many pandas for sale here! I've been using seriouslyfish for absolutely everything, I've found it really helpful. I made sure I had suitable sand when I initially set up the tank as I knew I wanted corys.

 

[Slaphppy7]

I might look at corys that stay a bit smaller then?

Good plan....just avoid the pygmies, they're really small, and do best in small tanks....all corys will surface for air now and again, and those little guys don't swim that high, usually

 

[FishGuest5123]

Bronze/albino bronze are very social and funny little rascals. The bigger the group, the more social any cories will be. I love panda cories but it takes a little more skill to raise them. Once you learn a few tips, they are cute and funny! I keep my panda’s in their own tank. They do much better that way. Panda’s in general have been overbred so you have to buy from a reputable breeder and watch them closely for several weeks to be sure they adjust and act quickly on issues. Bronze are easy to raise.

 

[AdoraBelle Dearheart]

Avoid the Peppered cories if they're going in a tank with a betta, peppered like cooler water, almost sub-tropical, while bettas need it warmer than that.

 

[azvictoria]

Hello!! Not sure if it really makes any difference but is there any specific kinds of corys people recommend/ don’t recommend. I know some kinds of fish can get health conditions based on how they’ve been bread. I’ve been looking at peppered, pandas and false Julii corys just based on which ones I’ve liked when I’ve gone to look at them at the shop. I want the corys I get to be around 5/6cm fully grown.
Is there a certain ratio of females to males thats recommended?

I've had three peppered corys for several years and love watching them. They cruise around in a little pack like chubby little mobsters. They've been through a move across town and a tank change with no problems. They also seem to enjoy goofing off in the bubble stream - very amusing fish.

 

[MammaBearinTN]

Didn't think so, I like the look of all of them. I finished cycling my tank (thanks for the advice with that last week by the way!) and have got 6 ember tetras (will be getting at least 2 more), a group of corys and a betta. I think I'd better get corys that grow to around 5cm so I have enough room for 6 of them.

Wow. I had to look to see if I had written that.
I now have 11 ember tetras, 6 peppered corys and a betta, as well.
I may move some of the fish into another aquarium this summer, but for now, they are "aging" my tank until I can put some rams and/or apistos in it.
I'm really enjoying the corys, btw. I created a "cave" (actually space under driftwood) in the center of the tank hoping to attract the corys, and it worked. I drop their food in a open area in front of the cave, so I see them a lot. Of course, they do swim and hideout all over the tank, but this is working very well.

 

[ellamay]

Good plan....just avoid the pygmies, they're really small, and do best in small tanks....all corys will surface for air now and again, and those little guys don't swim that high, usually

Good to know, thanks!

 

[ellamay]

Bronze/albino bronze are very social and funny little rascals. The bigger the group, the more social any cories will be. I love panda cories but it takes a little more skill to raise them. Once you learn a few tips, they are cute and funny! I keep my panda’s in their own tank. They do much better that way. Panda’s in general have been overbred so you have to buy from a reputable breeder and watch them closely for several weeks to be sure they adjust and act quickly on issues. Bronze are easy to raise.

That’s really helpful thank you! Is it hard to spot issues they may be having? I’ve only got ember tetras and two wood shrimp (since yesterday?) and every slight change of behaviour I’m researching making sure everyone’s ok.

 

[ellamay]

Avoid the Peppered cories if they're going in a tank with a betta, peppered like cooler water, almost sub-tropical, while bettas need it warmer than that.

My heater keeps the tank at 25c. Would I need a heater that keeps it a bit warmer for a betta?

 

[ellamay]

I've had three peppered corys for several years and love watching them. They cruise around in a little pack like chubby little mobsters. They've been through a move across town and a tank change with no problems. They also seem to enjoy goofing off in the bubble stream - very amusing fish.

I’m looking into getting an air stone because from what I’ve seen they love bubbles!

 

[ellamay]

Wow. I had to look to see if I had written that.
I now have 11 ember tetras, 6 peppered corys and a betta, as well.
I may move some of the fish into another aquarium this summer, but for now, they are "aging" my tank until I can put some rams and/or apistos in it.
I'm really enjoying the corys, btw. I created a "cave" (actually space under driftwood) in the center of the tank hoping to attract the corys, and it worked. I drop their food in a open area in front of the cave, so I see them a lot. Of course, they do swim and hideout all over the tank, but this is working very well.

Wow sounds so similar to what I’ll be having!! I’ve got a cave area right in the middle with a little clearing ready for them to swim about in ? Does everyone get on well?

 

[Slaphppy7]

I’m looking into getting an air stone because from what I’ve seen they love bubbles!

Corys?.....nah...not that I'm aware of

 

[FishGuest5123]

That’s really helpful thank you! Is it hard to spot issues they may be having? I’ve only got ember tetras and two wood shrimp (since yesterday?) and every slight change of behaviour I’m researching making sure everyone’s ok.

I lost 3 in the beginning but I think it was due to the tank being new. They laid at the bottom and quit swimming. I still have 2 of the original group and I’ve had them a year now. The rest I have had about 3 months.

 

[FishGuest5123]

Corys?.....nah...not that I'm aware of

The juveniles will play in an air stone. I love watching them do it...all day long! As they get older, not so much.

 

[ellamay]

I lost 3 in the beginning but I think it was due to the tank being new. They laid at the bottom and quit swimming. I still have 2 of the original group and I’ve had them a year now. The rest I have had about 3 months.

I did the full fishless cycle that’s recommended in this forum, so by the time I get them the tank will be at least 8 weeks old. Hopefully this will be ok!