Pepper Corys

[Fintastic!]

I have 2 peppered corys and I'm wondering if they're suitable for my tank. My temp is currently set at 24 celcius, ph is 8.2. I'm asking as I plan on upping their numbers but I just want to be sure I'm doing the right thing as I read something about peppers needing a certain temp. I also have albinos and a molly and platys and I'll be introducing other fish in the future.

 

[barb218]

How big is your tank? How many Litres/Gallons?

 

[Fintastic!]

It's 180 litres Barb.

 

[barb218]

I would think it would be ok but others might disagree

 

[pablothebetta]

and a molly

Aren't mollies better in brackish setups rather than freshwater?

 

[scotty]

personally i would try to lower the ph in your water,maybe add a piece f bogwood

 

[This Old Spouse]

I'd add some bogwood to bring the pH down naturally, then up the numbers to at least 6-10 on the peppers. You have plenty of room. Mollies do not require brackish water. They're freshwater fish. Salt isn't good for corydoras either.

The temp is good for cory, but I'm not sure about the mollies. I'm thinking they might like it a bit warmer. But I wouldn't think a few degrees would be hazardous.

 

[Fintastic!]

Thanks for that guys. I have redmoor wood in and the ph went up to 8.4 for a couple of weeks when it went in but now it's back to 8.2. I'm hankering after some serbais (unsure of spelling) or one of the more stunning types. Which of these do you reckon would be ok in my tank?
Also regarding bogwood, would a small piece be enough to lower the ph as my redmoor is quite large?

 

[laura120381]

hi there,

i don't think that sterbai would be a good choice for your tank. certainly not at the temperature you have it set at at the moment. sterbai like higher temps than most cory species. i used to keep them with discus at between 28 and 30 degrees celsius! stick with the peppers if i were you!!

L

 

[Fintastic!]

Ok, thanks Laura.

 

[This Old Spouse]

Please up your pepper numbers to at least 6, as they're shoaling fish. I think they're really nice fish. I think you could get some sterbai also.

 

[Fintastic!]

Thanks Old Spouse. If I keep them (probably will) I'll deffo up the numbers. I have 3 albinos and I plan on upping them first with 3 bronze as I know they're happy together. Then I'll up the peppers and work on a further stocking plan (can't wait!).

 

[This Old Spouse]

I do love my corydoras. I'm still working on upping my number of ambiacus, delphax and trili, although I may be out of luck with the first two. They're not common in these parts.

Good luck with yours ... let's see some pics!

 

[N0body Of The Goat]

hi there,

i don't think that sterbai would be a good choice for your tank. certainly not at the temperature you have it set at at the moment. sterbai like higher temps than most cory species. i used to keep them with discus at between 28 and 30 degrees celsius! stick with the peppers if i were you!!

L

Sterbais are perfectly happy at 24C, my group certainly were last year and I believe keepers have had successful spawns, the association with being Discus tankmates at 28C or more puts them at the high end of their tolerance.

On the other hand, Peppered Corydoras would not do well at 24C as their regular temp, in the wild they are found in waters that go as cool as 15C. While hobby specimens do not require the relatively extreme cool periods of their wild counterparts, they will do far better in a temperate tank setup with other fish like Zebra/Leopard Danios; Rosy Barbs; Redline Torpedo Barbs, WCMM etc. that has no heater and typically stays below 21C for most of the year.

 

[Fintastic!]

Thanks NotG, I have to do some soul searching! I've been advised before to bring them back to the lfs. What's stopping me is that they'll most likely be kept at a similar temp (or higher) to what I'm keeping them at. Poor little guys.