Mixing Elegant Corydoras With Wrestling Halfbeaks

[GL-P]

Hello!

I've recently started a 20G tank. I plan on putting a number of halfbeaks in with my 3 young Elegant Corydoras which I used to start the tank.

My understanding is that the halfbeaks do best and survive the longest in like a SG of 1.008-1.018. Would it be a bad idea to mix the two? Could I carefully climatise the corys to 1.004 or would that be too high also?

I would like to avoid getting a second tank but may get a small 10G if the corys don't like salt and the halfbeaks must have salt.

Thanks
Greg L-P

 

[Kuhni]

Cories Are Fine with salt in temporary treatments, but subjecting it to live in salt is not good, One of the experts may elaborate on this but I think it's to do with corydoras not being able to efficiently eliminate salt.

 

[Barracuda518]

Cories Are Fine with salt in temporary treatments, but subjecting it to live in salt is not good, One of the experts may elaborate on this but I think it's to do with corydoras not being able to efficiently eliminate salt.

Thats pretty much it. Cories cant get the salt out of their systems quick enough. Cories and large amounts of salt dont mix, unless you are treating them for something. Also, are Halfbeaks aggressive? Cories dont do well at all with aggressive tank mates either.

 

[GL-P]

I figured Corys wouldn't do well with any salt, just confirming.

Wrestling Halfbeaks are very nervous creatures. They stick to the very top of the tank (99% of the time part of them is touching the surface) and are only about 2.5" long at maximum length. The only reason they're called wrestling halfbeaks is that the males often fight amongst themselves. They are definitely an eat tiny fish or be eaten type of creature. I figure a non aggressive bottom feeder would be perfect since I wouldn't upset the halfbeaks and could give them a wide berth if the halfbeaks get any foolish ideas.

The halfbeaks can vary from near marine SG to straight freshwater. I've heard that the halfbeaks prefer brackish from a local shop but nmonks in the rare livebearer section has convinced me otherwise. So this issue is resolved.

Thanks guys!

I forgot the mention, my new elegant corys look right and home and seem to be sorting out territories. One poor one has be sent to the corner but seems to venture out at night.

Since I've got your attention, what would you specifically feed very young corys? I currently am feeding them ground up goldfish food and they seem to take to the smaller pieces alright. They obviously chew it, spit it out and then chew again till it is all gone.

Greg L-P

 

[Barracuda518]

I figured Corys wouldn't do well with any salt, just confirming.

Wrestling Halfbeaks are very nervous creatures. They stick to the very top of the tank (99% of the time part of them is touching the surface) and are only about 2.5" long at maximum length. The only reason they're called wrestling halfbeaks is that the males often fight amongst themselves. They are definitely an eat tiny fish or be eaten type of creature. I figure a non aggressive bottom feeder would be perfect since I wouldn't upset the halfbeaks and could give them a wide berth if the halfbeaks get any foolish ideas.

The halfbeaks can vary from near marine SG to straight freshwater. I've heard that the halfbeaks prefer brackish from a local shop but nmonks in the rare livebearer section has convinced me otherwise. So this issue is resolved.

Thanks guys!

I forgot the mention, my new elegant corys look right and home and seem to be sorting out territories. One poor one has be sent to the corner but seems to venture out at night.

Since I've got your attention, what would you specifically feed very young corys? I currently am feeding them ground up goldfish food and they seem to take to the smaller pieces alright. They obviously chew it, spit it out and then chew again till it is all gone.

Greg L-P

How young are they? That will also determine what to feed them.

I would feed them a good qualty flake food (I use Ocean Nutrtion), some kind of sinking wafer (I use Hikari Sinking wafers and Tetramin tropical tablets), spirulla disks, algea wafers and some frozen blood worms. I also feed mine earthworm sticks and Boyds Vita Diet. Also, if you could find some live black worms, they would like those too. Of course, I dont feed them all that every day, I vary waht I give them from day to day.

 

[GL-P]

I'm not sure about the specific age. The guy at the shop said that they got them within the week. They're about 1" to 1 1/4".

My parents (without me knowing) made a run and got some Wardley Shrimp Pellets. It's rather big but I'll see how they take to it. Sounds like I'll be getting them some good flake food too.

Thanks!