How many cories as a minimum

[ral]

I know cories like to be in groups. How many should I get so they are reasonably happy. Only a 5 gallon tank, and there will be a Betta in there.

 

[balloon molly]

cories do not produce alot of waste i would say 3-4 cories.
do you have any live plants in your 5 gal?
the minimum i would say would be 3 and max would be 4

 

[ral]

Right now the tank is still empty and the Betta is in a 1.25 Gallon jar with 4 live plants. I plan to increase the number of live plants to 6-8.

 

[balloon molly]

yes i would say 4 cories should be ok

 

[Phantom Thief]

I personally wouldn't put any cories in a tank smaller than a 10g.

P.T.

 

[ral]

Thanks PT. If it is not good for them I wont. Maybe I can get a snail or something to give my Betta a tank mate.

 

[Phantom Thief]

If you would like something interesting, i would recommend an African Dwarf Frog. They are perfect tankmates for bettas

P.T.

 

[Arashi]

Yeah, Corys are a bit small for anything under 10. I have three Skunk Corys in my 7.5, but thats just because they are teeny tiny babies, and I want them to get big and strong before I intorduce them to my crazy 29 gallon.

But I definitely agree with P.T. Dwarf Frogs are a riot. And if you don't like them you could always put in two or three Otos.

Oh and to answer your original question, I wouldn't put Corys in a group smaller than 8...I know most will say 6, but 8 is my personal preference. They are very social little fish and the more you have the better.

 

[Dwarfs]

In the wild they swim in groups of thousands I keep 4 cories, but I'm sure they would like to have more

 

[balloon molly]

sorry didnt
think of other possibilities.
you can also try amano shrimp

 

[ral]

Will see if I can find a African Dwarf Frog.

As for the amano shrimp, I think my Betta will see them as food.

 

[bunjiweb]

Try investigating pygmy corys, you could get about 6 in a 5G tank with a betta no problem!

Ben