Ground Cover With Cories?

[morefishies]

i'm getting some pygmy cories for a tank that i plan on having heavily planted. the ground would be about 50% covered with groundcover(java moss, dwarf hairgrass etc). is this bad for cories? would they prefer just an open "sand-box?"

 

[Tokis-Phoenix]

Cories do prefer some cover, i think that would be a great tank for them- my cories spend about 40% of their time looking around the plants or in caves looking for bits of food .

 

[Inchworm]

Hi morefishies

Welcome to TFF!

The important thing for most corys is that the bottom be kept clean and free of uneaten food and waste products. If you can do this, any corys will be fine with as much clear space as you will have left.

If you are considering C. pygmaeus, they should do well for you. These little corys do not spend much time digging on the bottom but prefer to swim a few inches above it.

I'm looking forward to seeing more of your posts (and hopefully pictures) of your tank.

 

[morefishies]

thanks. i think i have finally decided the stocking for my 10gallon.

7 spotted (dwarf) rasboras
9 pygmy corys
8 cherry shrimp

considering that all the fish are very small and I will do 50% weekly water changes/siphoning the sand surface, I think this line-up should work.

im starting the fishless cycle shortly but it will still be a while before I can post up some pics of the tank. can I do the fishless cycle with the plants? or should I do the cycle with the driftwood/sand and add the plants afterwards?

thanks

 

[Inchworm]

Hi morefishies

Your tank sounds like it will be lovely! What an interesting combination of fish you have selected!

If you can't find the C. pygmaeus, you might want to think about substituting C. habrosus or C. hastatus. They are also dwarf varieties of corydoras.

I think you'll probably get the best answers to your cycling questions if you ask in the Beginners section. We have many members who are quite knowledgeable in this area and will be happy to help guide you through it.