How Can I Ask If I Can Take My Friends Cory Catfish Off His Hands.

[bristlenoseitplecoman]

Hey all! I am feeding my friends fish for the weekend and I noticed his cory in the back of his tank staring at the wall. I took a closer look and saw that his cory is in horrible shape. He is obviously overfed and his barbels are torn up badly because of the gravel on the bottom. I have a 55 Gallon tank with a herd of 6 cories and I'd love to take her, but how do I ask?

 

[finmama]

I would just say something like "I noticed while taking care of your fish that your Cory isn't doing too well. They are very social and need to be with their own kind or they can get depressed. I already have a group of them, so I wanted to ask you if I could take him home." Maybe you could offer him a trade for something?

 

[bristlenoseitplecoman]

Well I am definitely not giving him one of my fish, but I am thinking about at least giving him some sand for the bottom of his tank.

 

[Rummynose]

I was also thinking about offering him a trade, but you could offer to buy him something better suited for his tank as a trade!?

 

[Fishy friend2]

a trade for some plants? or something beneficial to your friends tank?

 

[bristlenoseitplecoman]

I am thinking about buying him a snail because the only reason he has the cory is to clean his tank. The only drawback is that the snail might eat his marimo moss ball. Would the snail eat it or leave it.

 

[Fishy friend2]

depends on what type of snail, i would go with an apple snail but he might not be able to care for it also becuase he would have to feed it veggies, and/or prepared foods

 

[Rummynose]

I am thinking about buying him a snail because the only reason he has the cory is to clean his tank. The only drawback is that the snail might eat his marimo moss ball. Would the snail eat it or leave it.

I've had snails with my moss ball, and none of them touched it! It would be a great idea to get a snail for your friend. Or if it is a mature tank otocinclus would also be great!

 

[soybean]

Or if it is a mature tank otocinclus would also be great!

Otos also need to be in groups and that's not something this person seems too bothered about. They're also very picky and need feeding in their own right, not just adding as an algae eater/clean up fish. I imagine they'd have a harder time of it than this cory.

Oh dear. Let's look at a more practical solution. Can't you say it died and just pinch it? If it's the same species would they even notice it in your tank?

Seriously though, a word about them being social fish and that they're rubbish as a cleaner compared to a snail would hopefully do the trick.

...and if not, pinch it.

 

[jenjen_82]

Or if it is a mature tank otocinclus would also be great!

Otos also need to be in groups and that's not something this person seems too bothered about. They're also very picky and need feeding in their own right, not just adding as an algae eater/clean up fish. I imagine they'd have a harder time of it than this cory.

Oh dear. Let's look at a more practical solution. Can't you say it died and just pinch it? If it's the same species would they even notice it in your tank?

Seriously though, a word about them being social fish and that they're rubbish as a cleaner compared to a snail would hopefully do the trick.

...and if not, pinch it.

Ha this made me smile but I agree, take it and say it died they will never know and at least you know it will be getting better care then cos what would you do if u asked to take it and they said no or took offence.

 

[Akasha72]

or you could just be honest and say "look, your substrate isn't good for that cory, it's also depressed because it needs to have one friend at the very least. It's a bit cruel. I suggest you either change the substrate and get another cory or let the cory go to someone who has a tank already with cories and the right substrate"

I know I prefer honesty from my friends and so long as it's not done in an accusing manner your friend will more than likely take the advice well.

 

[soybean]

Of course the risk is they replace it with another cory. The talk would probably be better for them. But not as fun for you.

 

[Akasha72]

at the end of the day your friend maybe just ignorant to cories needs, I was when I got mine but I found out from this forum what their needs were. Maybe also suggest he joins here ...

 

[Rummynose]

Isn't this supposed to be about doing the right thing for a fish, not what makes you feel good? It too seems to me that this friend is not educated about the needs of the fish! It is also possible he doesn't care.

Since it is a friend, lets go with option one and try to help him learn. Helping him change the substrate, offering alternatives as to what other algae eaters are out there, and what their needs are. This would give the friend choices. Those are things friends do for each other! Who knows, the friend may even offer him the cory to keep!

 

[Keeper Of Cichlids]

Even if you did just pinch it and not tell him, it leaves him to make this same mistake in the future.