What Is "normal" Cory Behavior?

[jaimeg]

We just got a 10g tank for our son and, against my wishes, we have added fist in the first week. 4 zebra danios and one cory.

I just read here that corie like to school, our local store did not mention that when we got him (although they did mention this with the danios). So, since I've never had fish, I'm wondering if his behavior is normal or if I need to worry about him. BTW, I had the water tested today and it was fine.

We've had him 7 days now. The first few days he was pretty active and sort of seemed to lunge at the danios if they came too close. He would swim up and down the walls quite a bit. He doesn't seem to eat when I feed him, but I think he's eating overnight. Anyway, over the last day or so, he seems to be resting on the bottom. Digging around for food for a few moments, then resting again. Looking sort of lazy. Which behavior is (more) normal. Should I be worried about his apparent "resting" if the water seems ok? I got the most concerned tonight when a danio was feeding off the gravel around the cory and he was just sitting there. But then later he got more active. I know that I can't buy more fish right now, since we haven't even cycled, so I bought him a rock cave, thinking maybe he was nervous and needed some privacy. He hasn't seemed to notice it yet.

Any input on normal cory behavior in a 10g tank would be very helpful.
Thanks!

 

[PC1963]

We just got a 10g tank for our son and, against my wishes, we have added fist in the first week. 4 zebra danios and one cory.

I just read here that corie like to school, our local store did not mention that when we got him (although they did mention this with the danios). So, since I've never had fish, I'm wondering if his behavior is normal or if I need to worry about him. BTW, I had the water tested today and it was fine.

We've had him 7 days now. The first few days he was pretty active and sort of seemed to lunge at the danios if they came too close. He would swim up and down the walls quite a bit. He doesn't seem to eat when I feed him, but I think he's eating overnight. Anyway, over the last day or so, he seems to be resting on the bottom. Digging around for food for a few moments, then resting again. Looking sort of lazy. Which behavior is (more) normal. Should I be worried about his apparent "resting" if the water seems ok? I got the most concerned tonight when a danio was feeding off the gravel around the cory and he was just sitting there. But then later he got more active. I know that I can't buy more fish right now, since we haven't even cycled, so I bought him a rock cave, thinking maybe he was nervous and needed some privacy. He hasn't seemed to notice it yet.

Any input on normal cory behavior in a 10g tank would be very helpful.
Thanks!

Hi Jaimag

Cory can be live by himself but would be better and happy to live in a group. Normally when fisrt introduct fish [Cory] in new tank he will swimming around up and down as you see. In most of the time cory would laid on the bottom of the tank and move a little or hiding during the day, but will active during feeding time.

My corys is laid on the bottom of the tank most of the time [Black Peru] and will be active or aggresive when I feed them.
Also Cory is active at night time. Swimming around and diging the sand for food.


Assuming you Cory is healthy and water condition ok. He didn't move as much maybe he is resting and when he active you miss see him. But most of the time Cory just resting it is normal behavior.

It would be better when your tank is ready for new addition you should add 2-3 more of Corys to keep him happy.

What type of Cory do you have?

Good luck with your Cory

 

[jaimeg]

[/quote]It would be better when your tank is ready for new addition you should add 2-3 more of Corys to keep him happy.

What type of Cory do you have?

Good luck with your Cory
[/quote]


He is a speckled? spottled? cory (not really sure) cory. This morning he is hiding in the cave. He looks so loney in there, but I guess that is why I got the cave! I checked on him in the middle of the night last night and he was sitting in the corner. (I was trying to avoid my 4 & 6 year olds from finding him this morning if it is the worse.) He didn't come out of the cave to eat this morning. I hope he's not sick. If he is fine and just lonely waiting for freinds...When we get more to keep him company, do I need to get his exact type or can I get any other type of cory about his size? Will they school together?
thanks

 

[Lynz781]

If I were to sum up typical cory behaviour, I'd say a bit of sitting doing nothing along with some digging for food, and then ocasionally speeding up to the top of the water for some air then speeding back down again.

If you got anymore it would be better to stick to the same kind.

 

[jaimeg]

If I were to sum up typical cory behaviour, I'd say a bit of sitting doing nothing along with some digging for food, and then ocasionally speeding up to the top of the water for some air then speeding back down again.

If you got anymore it would be better to stick to the same kind.

 

[Lynz781]

Eventually you will get to know the normal behaviour with fish and relax a bit more.

 

[jaimeg]

OK, good...thanks for the quick reply. I am going to stop worrying about him sitting around. It just looks so different than the danios tha to left, right, left, right all day! He does occassionally go to the top for air.


Do you think a 10g tank can support 4 zebra danios, 3 speckled? cories, and maybe 3 other small fish (like tetra?) Now we just have 4 zebra danios and the one cory, and a big snail.

Thanks

 

[Lynz781]

I too have both danios and cories and yeah they are totally different but get on just fine.

Is your tank US or UK gallons?

 

[jaimeg]

I too have both danios and cories and yeah they are totally different but get on just fine.

Is your tank US or UK gallons?

10 US gallons

 

[Lynz781]

So thats about 39 litres or 8 UK gallons. I would certainly get the cory a couple of pals.

 

[jaimeg]

Thanks so much for your input. I wasn't even thrilled to get a tank in the first place, and now I've turned into a nervous mother! I'll get him 2 pals when our tank finishes cycling. Thanks again

 

[scubadoo]

The cory behavious sound ok.

I dont want to seem negative, but TBH 10 galls is not really big enogh for danios. I know that they're small, but they are fast swimmers who like plenty of space to dart about. IMO 20 gal should be a minimum.

 

[jaimeg]

I would agree that the danios seem a little cramped in the 10g tank. I am living your quote..."experience comes from ....poor judgement"! Since we already have them, I'm not sure what to do with them (and my kids are already attached). Maybe we will upgrade to a bigger tank, once I figure this one out!

I'm glad the cory behavior seems normal. I just peeked at him (he didn't see me!) and he was digging around food a little.

 

[Lynz781]

You could always take them (danios) back and get a couple of cories in return?

 

[joloco]

or offer them on the swap forum...

i would make an effort to get you corrie some friends though -
maybe someone has too many corries that you could offer a home to on the swap forum.