Mixing Cory Species?

[qoftheq]

I recently got two leopard corys and then today, more or less on impulse, I added a schwartz cory and a panda cory to the tank. The leopard corys and the schwartz cory seem to be getting on fine but the panda cory seems to be a little lost. He'll swim with the others for a bit and then go off and sit by himself. Is he not bonding because he's a different species? If so, does that mean I need more panda corys for him to be happy? (would mean I would have to get a bigger tank and cycle it, which would be an enormous hassle not to mention cost)

 

[Captain Retardo]

It is generally not a good idea to have different species of cories and expect them to all school...they need their own species.

how big is your tank? couldn't you just get more panda and schwartzi cories?

 

[qoftheq]

My tank is 10 gallons, and I don't really want to overcrowd them or anything. I was told that the schwarzi and leopards should get on fine because they have very similar markings and they do seem to be schooling fine.

 

[Captain Retardo]

How many of each fish do you have? Any other fish?

Next time just remember that it is much much better if you buy the same species...

 

[qoftheq]

Just the four corys I mentioned earlier in that tank. Two leopards, a schwartzi, and a panda. Someone on here recommended that I get a different but similarly marked species if I wanted to be able to tell them apart.

 

[Captain Retardo]

Why would you want to tell them apart?

If you have those cories in the tank only, you could get more of them...

 

[nurglespuss]

Most cory species of a similar sizes and feeding habits will school together (as they do in the wild) for protection, and following eachother to food sources. However observe them at night, and they do this much less. This is where you need members of the same species. I would buy another 2 panda's, that should be ok in your tank (or perhaps better remove the panda to the shop, and buy another shwartz)