Emerald Cory Questions

[sistermoon]

Hi there,

I have a rescued Emerald catfish. He is currently living in a hospital tank and I'm doing everything I can to prepare a nice environment for him. I have a 20 gallon tank (that's all I could afford) with sand, some logs/caves and silk plants currently cycling. I know that they are schooling fish and I wanted to get him some friends.

My first concern is the size of an emerald catfish prohibits me from getting many. So, would it be better to get few more (2 or 3), or would he be happy with a different (smaller) species of catfish like a dwarf cory or ?

I'm also looking for a middle to top dweller to live with him. Any strong feelings about good tank mates? I was sort of looking at a couple dwarf gouramis, but might just end up with platys...sorta wanted something a little less common.

Thanks in advance for your help,
Sistermoon

BTW, I've actually had people tell me to just get rid of him, but that really isn't an option. He's gone through a lot, and I adore him. I can give him a good home, I just need a little advice.

 

[Tizer]

Emerald Corys/Brochis splendens are not that big, get him two more friends when the tank is cycled and he will be happy enough

You could look at a couple of Rams, they are far more interesting to watch than Platys. gl !

 

[Cleggat]

My emerald cory -female- is fully grown and just under 3 inch. Oh and my corys always get on with everyone but don't get goldfish.. They can try and eat corys, the corys horns get stuck in the goldfish's mouth. The cory drowns and then the goldfish can die if you don't take the cory out. My German Blue Ram is a charm with my corys!

 

[N0body Of The Goat]

I'd try and stick to tankmates that like the cooler side of the Emerald's temp range (22-28C), looking for something that likes 22 or 23C. You will no doubt get so much more enjoyment out of seeing your Emeralds as a group, my seven Hog-nosed Brochis (Emerald's cousins) are great fun to see larking about.

What filtration have you got?
What dimensions is the tank?

I'm wondering if you could house a group of 6/7 Emeralds with no more than say a trio of upper water dwellers, Florida Flagfish for example.

 

[sistermoon]

I'd try and stick to tankmates that like the cooler side of the Emerald's temp range (22-28C), looking for something that likes 22 or 23C. You will no doubt get so much more enjoyment out of seeing your Emeralds as a group, my seven Hog-nosed Brochis (Emerald's cousins) are great fun to see larking about.

What filtration have you got?
What dimensions is the tank?

I'm wondering if you could house a group of 6/7 Emeralds with no more than say a trio of upper water dwellers, Florida Flagfish for example.

Thanks for replying!

I am using a 20-40 gal Aqua-Tech power filter:
http/www.walmart.com/ip/Aqua-Tech-20-40-Gallons-Power-Filter-1-ct/10313137

The tank is:
24 1/4"L x 12 1/2"W x 16 3/4"H

I would really be ok with housing just a couple other fish with the Emeralds, or a small school...whatever will fit with the Emeralds. I've really come to love that little catfish.