corys getting territorial

[fantasy fish]

My 2 coryies are following eachother around my tank and chasing my fish away from half of the tank... what is this about? i have just added sand and given the 25g tank a good cleaning, is it the water or does it have something to do with mating?

 

[Inchworm]

Hi fantasy fish

Your corys are just playing and romping around in the sand.

Corys never get territorial or chase other fish. When it comes time for them to spawn, they just do it and put their eggs on the glass or on plants.

If your corys are mature, and if you did a big water change, it's possible that they might spawn. If so, you will see the eggs, most likely, stuck to the glass. Then you can decide to either keep them and raise the fry, or just let them go. It will not upset the rest of your fish in any way.

 

[fantasy fish]

k thankz. i have another question now, how can u tell if they are mature? or even male/female?

 

[Inchworm]

Hi fantasy fish

If you bought your corys at the same time, so that they will be the same age, the female will be the bigger of the two. With some species of corys it's harder to tell, but there is usually a good amount of difference between them with the peppered corys.

The easiest way to compare them is to look down at them from the top of the tank when they are swimming near each other. The female will probably be longer and wider than the male. If they look the same, they might be the same gender.

 

[sylvia]

What species do you have? My bronze cories have spawned when they were about 1.5-2" and this is one of the more common species so it could be what you have. You'll see the female is quite fat when she's gravid. It depends somewhat on what their potential adult size is though. For example, my blackfins don't get much larger than 1-2" so they mature at a slightly smaller size than the bronze cories. You can distinguish most male cories from females by their body shapes. Females are clearly wider (at all times) and 'deeper' (when full of eggs). I've also noticed the males have a more 'square' head shape in certain species. There's a method using the fins but I could never tell so I'll let someone else explain that.

edit: Inchworm - you got there first

 

[fantasy fish]

I have peppered corys one is 1" and the other 1.5" i think they are both males. i know u should feed the corys stuff like blood worms to get them to spawn but i am VERY alergic to bloodworms, anyother suggestions for food for my corys

 

[fantasy fish]

Also is it true that corys need a minimum of 30gals?

 

[Inchworm]

Hi fantasy fish

No, corys can go by the "inch per gallon" guideline. Just be sure to keep up with regular water changes and bottom cleanings to keep them healthy.

It sounds like your corys are still a little young to spawn. It will take them a few months more to mature.

 

[fantasy fish]

thanks i have another question is there a cory called a skunk cory? my lfs has a cory labled by that name but i have looked it up on google and the only cory that looks like it is an elegan cory. otherwise have not seen a cory called a skunk cory on the internet

 

[Inchworm]

Hi fantasy fish

The cory known commonly as a skunk cory is the C. arcuatus. They are a most attractive cory when kept in a group and are no more difficult to care for than any of the others..

Here's a link with some information about them:

http/www.scotcat.com/factsheets/arcuatus.html

 

[Inchworm]

Hi fantasy fish

I just posted a thread that I though you might want to see. It has some pictures of corys I just bought, and two of them clearly show the difference in size between the males and females.

Here's a link to it:

http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showtopic=96608

Hope this helps.