Panda Corys Playing?

[Vicky99]

One of my Pandas has suddenly taken to playing in the gravel. It is fine gravel but I don't want him to hurt himself. He's swimming across the tank really fast and then diving on the gravel sending it flying. It's not constant behaviour - I saw him/her do it about 3 times yesterday having never seen it before (I've had them for about a year-ish). I guess he wouldn't do it if hurt right?

Is it normal - is he playing or could there be a problem?

Thanks for your help.

Vicky.

 

[Kuhni]

A Cory's Barbels are much sturdier then you may have been led to believe, fine gravel will have no effect and it is in a cory's nature to act silly. One of mine loves to squeeze thru the 2mm gaps betweens stems of the plants.

 

[AlexAndCarmen]

Cories generally dig through the sand looking for food. They forage all the time eating scraps from previous feeds. It's totally normal behaviour. Odd that you've never seen him/her do it before, as I have a tank full of panda fry and they do it all the time too.

 

[Vicky99]

Thanks guys! Hopefully then I have very happy pandas! Hooray!

 

[ThinIce]

The only possible caution I can add is if he's turning himself partially on his side whilst doing it - I had an outbreak of some parasite or other and my cories and rams would accelerate into something and flick their sides / gills against it (in general they only had sand and plants to do it on in my case )

 

[chibi]

Teehee, panda corys are very playful. Like everyone said, I'm sure he's just playing around. I wouldn't worry unless you saw him looking injured.