Panda Catfish

[Sime]

Hi,
I was at a fish shop the other day and they had sme young Panda Catfish (corys). They looked realy nice but in another tank they had some adult corys which were the same colour attern just darker. They were called Corydoras Matae I think it was - is this just the scientific name for Panda Catfish? They looked the same, just darker.
Thanks a lot,
Simon.

 

[abstract]

no, they are different...have a look..

corydorus panda: http/www.planetcatfish.com/catelog/calli...ydora/267_f.php

corydorus metae:
http/www.planetcatfish.com/catelog/calli...rydora/24_f.php

 

[Inchworm]

Hi Sime

If you were considering buying one or the other of them, I would strongly recommend the Metaes. They are a little larger, but still not big, and they are much more likely to thrive in a home aquarium.

They are commonly called "bandits" because of the little mask over their eyes.

 

[Sime]

thanks guys, great little things both of them.... i preffer the pandas but do you think they wont do so well?

 

[Metermaid]

I've never had much luck with Panda's - just had to reduce my signature by one ! - all others in my group seem fine but I have replaced Panda's twice - won't try again - they just don't seem to thrive like the others (for me anyway) -

 

[bunjiweb]

Pandas are quite sensitive to change but it really depends how reputable the stockist your lfs gets theirs from. If they are european bred they will be alot hardier and generally nicer looking. Most LFS get them from Asia, where they are mass bred with no concern for quality...

Ben

 

[Metermaid]

Sounds like half the problem Ben - whenever I see them in lfs they seem to have hundreds - and they are all SO small - no wonder they don't thrive

Rita

 

[Sime]

around here they;re not cheep either

 

[bunjiweb]

If you see any cheap you should be worried and NOT buy them... they will no doubt be from the very low quality wholesalers of Thaiwan and Singapore...

Ben

 

[WILDER]

I already had 3 panda corys and have bought another 3 to take my shoal tup to six mine are quite big and healthy looking fingers crossed

 

[Sime]

thanks ben, they're a lot more around here than the normal corys - maybe they are good then, it may be worth the risk - ill see!

 

[Inchworm]

thanks ben, they're a lot more around here than the normal corys - maybe they are good then, it may be worth the risk - ill see!

Hi Sime

I just found 4 young pandas dead in my fry tank.

They were fine this morning when I fed them. That's just how fast things go wrong with them, especially while they are young. And these are my own fry, hatched and raised in my own water, fed the best foods, with daily water changes.

 

[lizard]

I've had Panda Corys from two different stores. I had relatively few problems with Pandas from the one store. I had nothing but trouble with the Pandas from the other store. I couldn't get any to live longer than a week (maybe one did). I was very sad about it, 'cause I just love Panda Corys.

Never had Bandit Corys, so I can't offer any experience there. Inch knows what she's talking about, though

Pamela
aka Married Lizard

 

[bunjiweb]

bandits grow twice the size and are a lot hardier.

Ben

 

[houndour]

Sime,

Have you got your corys yet?

The first time around I kept fish I had about 12 cory pandas and they all died mysteriously within about 6 months. They'd be fine one day and dead the next.

I've just got some Metae cory. I can't comment yet though as I've only had them 1 day. I think they are very similar to pandas, just a bit larger. I read that metae get to 5cm.

I've put pics up here already: http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showtopic=86496

They seem to be sticking together for most of the time which is cute. They are so adorable.