Can I Mix And Match Corys?

[This Old Spouse]

I have 1 green and 2 peppered corys and would like to get some more, being told here that they like larger groups. Do I need to get more peppered or green corys? These three spend almost all their time together and don't seem to know the difference.

 

[weezawoo]

I have 1 green and 2 peppered corys and would like to get some more, being told here that they like larger groups. Do I need to get more peppered or green corys? These three spend almost all their time together and don't seem to know the difference.

Hi
Most people will tell you to bump both up to 6 in each group. This would depend on the size of your tank.

However I have 6 different types of Corys in my tank and as some have died sadly I have a lowest number of 2 peppered and highest of 8 bronze. In between I have 3/4/5 of the others. They are all happy and mix together so it would be possible if you had 3 of each they would be happy. But on the other hand it could cause them to spilt into seperate groups with more of 'their own kind' added.

Do you have space for extra to add it to 6 of each?

 

[flix_cw]

It may well not be the same, but when i started out with my first tank i had a school of 6 danios, 3 zebra, 3 kyathit. Technically different species but all of them shoal together, still do. That may have been out of necessity in a new environment to start with, but the fact they still do it a year on suggests otherwise perhaps?

 

[This Old Spouse]

I have a 55 gallon (see my signature) and I don't think I have room for another 9 fish. I will try to get a small number of each and see what happens. As I said, these three are best buddies.

 

[Curiosity101]

It's hit and miss as to whether you can mix corys. If you put in more of each you might find the two groups split. However you might equally find they stay together. The reason I would also opt for more of each is incase they do split. You could end up with a lone cory and a group.

 

[moochy13]

mine (in my sig) for the most part stay as a group, though the 4 aggassizi stick very tight to eachother. they seem to act fine in the numbers i have. they aren't shy, they like eachothers company and they're active and healthy. i have 1 3 line cory that i got from a different stock to the other 2, and its very obviously different. seems like a bit of a runt, and it tends to be on the edges of the group. was originally 2 of them, i watched them in the shop for over a month.

 

[This Old Spouse]

The 2 peppered and one green cory I have don't seem to notice their differences and stick together very tightly. In fact, the !@#$% Chinese algae eater has started to pester the green cory and the peppered corys now are protecting it!

Trying to figure out what to do with the CAE now ... any suggestions?

 

[flix_cw]

The 2 peppered and one green cory I have don't seem to notice their differences and stick together very tightly. In fact, the !@#$% Chinese algae eater has started to pester the green cory and the peppered corys now are protecting it!

Trying to figure out what to do with the CAE now ... any suggestions?

Rehome!

 

[moochy13]

go back in time and dont buy it. ive got a DeLorean you can borrow.

 

[This Old Spouse]

Well, I have all sorts of things I did that I'd like to borrow that DeLorean for! I didn't buy the CAE; I inherited it from a neighbor, along with her guppies and a 5-gallon tank. I bought 2 female guppies from a friend, and they were preggers at the time and have since had their fry. Now all the fry are in the 5-gallon tank with too many snails, the guppies are all in a 10-gallon with a female fiddler crab, and the CAE is in my 55-gallon with all the others. It started out not bothering anyone, but I suppose it was immature and now has figured out what a big, bad fish it is. I suppose rehoming is the only answer, since I don't have a LFS closer than 75 miles (and THAT'S a WalMart!).

 

[Coryologist]

Trying to figure out what to do with the CAE now ... any suggestions?

Lightly sauteed in butter, garlic and rice wine. Hey - it works for the Chinese. - Frank

 

[This Old Spouse]

Works for me. Now if I could only catch the darn thing.

 

[Curiosity101]

Tips:
Use 2 nets, or a net and something else long (a ruler would do).

I place something in a front corner near the bottom (for most fish... doesn't work for mid-top water shoalers), that gives lots of shade.

I herd them into the front corner where they feel safe. Then often place the net at the entrance and herd them from the safe place straight into the net.

I've got quiet good at herding fish straight into the net in midwater though. However it's taken alot of practice, doesn't work for all fish, and you need to hold the net really really still.

Draining the tank or getting hold of a tank divider also helps.

 

[guppy love]

I have a mixed group of corys in one of my tanks - 2 peppered, 2 albino, 2 panda and 1 masked - I was only able to get 1 in the lfs. As far as the masked is concerned he is a panda and each peppered and albino have seemingly paired up with each other, perhaps it's love! They all shoal together often and get on really well, however I'd like to up the numbers to 3 of each. 3 bandit corys will be joining them later this week when a larger tank is ready. I just adore my corys!

 

[Harlequins]

I would personally rehome the plec & CAE and upp the corys... Has your CAE gets bigger your fish may become 'night snacks' for it...