My Cory's Are Still Hiding!

[Reeveso]

Ok, here's the situation:

Right now I have 4 Cory's in my tank. About 1.5 months ago my Betta died (which was following them around for a few days before she died)

Right after she died, I wanted them to have some cover to hide under so I got a submerged tree trunk which provides complete cover for all 4 of them.

But...they NEVER leave it!!

My water is fine and even when the lights on they still don't come out. However, when they do come out, they dart around the tank and go right back in (more when the lights on but sometimes when the lights off too)

They come out to eat but do it very quickly and go right back in.

I just bought some plants that float on the top of the water to give them a little shade when I have the lights on because I'm going to get some other fish this week.

Anybody ever has this experience or can give insight to the situation? I have no idea why they're doing this. When I got the first 2 Cory's they were active 24/7 doing the happy dance.

I have a feeling it has something to do w/ the Betta following them and they're still scared.

Anybody?

Jeremy

PS - Should I take the log out and kind of "make" them come out and get used to the tank?

 

[jollysue]

Yes, your assumption that it has to do with the Betta is very likely correct.

Here is a similar experience:

I got a 20 usg L tank and 6 Brochis splendens (a close Corydoras cousin.) Lovely green bruisers. I added a nice shoal of assorted harlequin Rasaboras. It was a happy and active tank. The Brochis were always out and seemed most comfortable. Then a forum friend sent me a batch of her Betta juvies. I put a boy in the Brochis tank. Everything was fine. But after a while I noticed that the Brochis were never out to be seen anymore.

Then I walked in one day to see the Betta angry as hell and chasing a group of Brochis around the tank. I took him out right away. But it took the Brochis 6 months at least to recover. Now they are out all the time and happy as larks again.

The same thing happened in a panda tank. They all got on great. The Betta slept with the pandas. But one day I walked in to see the Betta chasing the Pandas all around. I learned an important lesson about Corys and Bettas. Bettas are unpredictable, and Corys are generally shy. Just because a Betta is a peace loving hippie today doesn't mean he won't turn into Charles Manson tomorrow.

Keep the cover for the Corys. If you can add some dither fish such as white clouds, harlequins, or some other completely non aggressive species that may help. If you add an aggressive or semi-aggressive species expect the Corys to hide more.

 

[doresy]

I had my small tank set up with 4 Endlers, 3 Lilac spot cory (similis) and 3 pigmy cory. All was fine.

I removed the endlers and introduced a Betta. Never hardly saw the pigmy cory and when I did they darted for cover. Before you ask, the Betta took no notice of them at all.

I removed all the cory into my big tank. Deciding that I did need corys to mop up exess food I purchase 8 new pigmy cory and put them in........they are constantly in view and very happy!

Not sure if it's because of the greater number cory or the fact that this time the Betta was already there and not introduced after as in the first example. Bit of both I suggest

 

[Ludwig Venter]

If your reference to the "Betta" refers to the Siamese Fighter fish, I believe you are doing the species an injustice..... I've been breeding these since 1971 and very few fish shares the peaceful disposition of these fish. Their common name condemns them as vicious intruders not recommended by pet stores (who should know better) and anyone else responding to second hand information. Believe me that your Betta will not harm (or chase) any fish in a community aquarium other than another Siamese fighting fish from whence the name is derived. Please feel free to keep one of these in any community aquarium.

 

[jourdy288]

If your reference to the "Betta" refers to the Siamese Fighter fish, I believe you are doing the species an injustice..... I've been breeding these since 1971 and very few fish shares the peaceful disposition of these fish. Their common name condemns them as vicious intruders not recommended by pet stores (who should know better) and anyone else responding to second hand information. Believe me that your Betta will not harm (or chase) any fish in a community aquarium other than another Siamese fighting fish from whence the name is derived. Please feel free to keep one of these in any community aquarium.

Cool! You bred them since 1971? That's amazing! I only bred them once in 2007, and only one survived, she's stunted to an inch But I think some Betta splendens are really more aggressive than others, since I heard of one that ripped the tails off panda corydoras. But I do think that conditions in which they are kept can change their behavior. If, for example, there is not enough planting/shelter they're more likely to succumb to stress and may become more aggressive.

 

[jollysue]

Sorry, Ludwig, regardless of how many times you have bred Betta splendens, it doesn't change the fact that some Betta can get moody and make life miserable for fish like Corys. I have had this discussion before over the last several years, and it all ends the same. If you are convinced that all Betta are not aggressive <<Please, give me a break>> you are ill advised and either non observant or have never happened upon a Betta when it is angry.

Are you saying that Betta are not territorial by nature? That is ridiculous. Go ask a real Betta Breeder, like CrackerBettas.

If I had not experienced this repeatedly then you could correct me. But both I and others have experienced this, including more experienced Betta keepers and breeders than you.

I am being determined in my reply to you, Ludwig, because you are advising others. Your information and experience is limited apparently. I am not misinformed. Both I and others have had this experience. Many, maybe most, VT Betta will be fine with others but not all. In addition in a larger community aquarium, Betta males will often try to patrol the whole tank, which wears out the VT and other heavy tailed Betta.

Corys absolutely will change their behaviors based upon the tank mates. It only takes once for the Betta or any fish to scare the Cory, and they will be hiding. Perhaps you are unfamiliar with the natural behaviors of Corys in a non-threatening environment.

Corys do not understand or recognize territories. This can aggravate a territorial Betta, even over such things as food. Most fish change their behaviors when they reach breeding age. Some change their behaviors as they get old and cranky.

 

[Reeveso]

Thanks for the input everyone.

I went to Petco 2 days ago and got 2 Platy's (they look like dalmations) and 2 swordtails. For some reason, the Cory's are now active! My tank looks awesome now. It went from literally a tank just sitting there to a tank full of life.

They aren't quite as active as they used to be (right now they are b/c it's feeding time) - but they're definitely getting there.

And my 2 Platy's are already trying to mate!

 

[Cooper2085]

I suggest you try to add more to the group, that can help ^^

Do you have a background on the tank? That can make them insecure if theres not one.