How Many For A 55 Gallon

[DanaJ824]

How many cories would be appropriate for a 55 gallon? I have 2 from my 30 gallon that will be transferred. I also have 1 small pleco and some fish.
Any other suggestions as far as what would be compatible with serpea tetas, lemon tetas and harlequin raspboras?
I like color variations, and have had great luck with the serpaes and lemons.

 

[eschaton]

You didn't list what corydoras species you have already, and what your other stocking is. However, I would say you need at least four more for a total of six, and assuming they aren't a dwarf species, I would put no more than twelve in.

 

[Inchworm]

Hi DanaJ824

What you can safely add will depend, in a large part, on what kind of pleco you have and how large it will get. Have you identified it yet?

 

[DanaJ824]

He is a small pleco. That's all I really know about him, as that's how he was labeled. He looks like this: <img src="http/www.fishforum.com/userpix/314_dscf3365qb6_1.jpg"> He seems very peaceful with everyone else in the tank.

The 2 corys are emerald greens. They have been thriving. As far as I know, they are not dwarfs or anything.

The other guys are 6 serpea tetras, 6 lemons and I think 4 harlequin rasboras(a few died when my heater went a couple months ago).

 

[PRW1988]

Corys enjoy a group of atleast 6 generally speaking, my final stocking in my 55gallon tank is going to have 18 cory catfish (albinos,greens and peppered).

 

[DanaJ824]

I know they generally like groups of at least 6. 4 are just what I currently have.
I'd like to get a mix too- since I have 2 greens now, try to do a few different varieties. The albinos don't really strike my fancy, I've overlooked them every time I go to my LFS.
I was thinking maybe 12 total initially?
Are there certain types of cory that seem to be more hardy than others? I've had the best luck with the greens.

 

[CrashingWaves]

He looks like a common pleco, which tend to get pretty large.

God Bless,
Joshua

 

[DanaJ824]

He looks like a common pleco, which tend to get pretty large.

God Bless,
Joshua

No he is a small pleco. That picture isn't of him,but it looks similar in markings.

 

[chibi]

I think you could fit as many as 20. I have a 30 gallon with 21 cories (two in which are small species... habrosus and pygmy... and a school of 6 pandas). Emerald cories are larger cories. I would go with atleast 10.

 

[Inchworm]

Hi DanaJ824

Before you do anything, please post a picture of your pleco in the Plecos and other Loricarids section and get a positive ID on it. Small is a relative term when it comes to plecos, and you will definitely need to know what to expect before you begin adding more fish. This is especially true since you are considering schooling fish which need to be added in multiples.

Another thing you will want to do is get a positive ID on your corys, although if they are called "emerald green," they are probably not a corydoras at all, but rather a brochis. Take a look at this link to see if it matches your fish:

http/www.planetcatfish.com/catelog/speci...?species_id=114

If so, they are a little bigger than the C. aeneus which is the albino you are most likely seeing in your lfs. I would suggest adding a few more of them to increase the size of their school. Some of the larger corys would get along well with them too.

 

[DanaJ824]

I'll try to get a pic of my pleco, but I don't know how well that will go over lol!
He has been perfectly fine with my current group though.

The guys I have now are Corydoras aeneus, well that is what they told me, and they are probably the most reputable LFS in this area. I'm no expert though, and I'm not quite sure I understand the difference. The ones I have now were labeled green aeneus from what I remember. I can always check it out next time I go back(which will probably be not too long) to double check that tank.
I'm having a hard time distinguishing the pics in the link.
I seem to remember the albinos being pretty similar in size.... What is the size difference? Something so I can distinguish it better.

 

[Inchworm]

Hi DanaJ824

Try looking at this link for the brochis:

http/www.fishforums.net/content/Catfish/...merald-Catfish/

and these pictures of bronze C. aeneus:

Pay particular difference to the shape of the nose (C. aeneus is rounded while the brochis is more pointy). You will also see that the brochis is taller or deeper bodied than the cory. They are close to the same length, but the brochis is the bigger of the two. If you look at their dorsal fins (on top) you will also see a difference. The brochis has many more rays than the cory.

Sometimes a bronze C. aeneus will be called a green cory, but that's incorrect and confusing. The albinos are usually C. aeneus, especially in the US, although there are other species they could possibly be.

I hope this helps.

 

[DanaJ824]

Wow thank you for all that helpful info. I feel stupid, but it's still hard to tell them apart. I am guessing mine are the brochis. I will count the dorsal rays on my guys and see what I find out
The guys that I have look exactly like this:
http/www.practicalfishkeeping.co.uk/pfk/...?article_id=279
I feel silly now I have so much to learn still, but it's been a great experience! Thanks!!

 

[PRW1988]

If you're interested in the different species of plecos check out Panda Cory Catfish, Bandit Cory catfish, Peppered cor catfish, False Juhli Cory catfish and pygmy cory catfish

 

[DanaJ824]

I've had pandas before. I just didn't seem to have luck with them though. They were never super active, like the brochis I have now. Those guys are so entertaining
I will look into the other kinds though!
Any ideas on what kind of fish would be good if I was looking for (mostly) peaceful, colorful, and generally hardy as top priorities?