Which Corys, How Many, And Can I Mix Species?

[Ben M]

hi, i am considering getting rid of the kribs, and getting some corries. my tank is a 4ft rena, and holds 216l. it is moderately planted, and will soon be quite heavily planted. there is a large open fore ground, and the substrate is 2/3 sand, and 1/3 3mm rounded gravel. (not mixed together, the gravel is in the left third). the current stocking is: 20 copper harlequins, 5 harlequins, 5 SAE's, 3 Otocinclus affinis, 3 serpae tetras, 4 rummynosed tetras, 3 cardinal tetras and 4 kribs. but i am thinking of getting rid of the kribs, in which case i can get some corries. i will also get another 10 Otocinclus affinis, a load of cherry shrimp, a group of kuhli loaches and possibly some more little shoaling fish (possibly another 20 copper harlequins). the temp is 24c. i was wondering which species of corys would be suitable for my tank, and how many i could keep. i like the panda's and trilineatus, but would it be possible to get a group of each species, and also a group of bronze? or is that over stocked? i do 40% water changes weekly.

cheers

 

[lilacamy931]

Hey hon can only advise in certain areas but would definately move the kribs if considering cories. You dont want to overstock so would go for a large group of a singular species or perhaps two smaller groups of two speices, three might be pushing it. It also is heavily going to rely on your filtration as to how much you should or could stock the tank comfortably.

 

[Ben M]

thanks, yes i'll definitely get rid of the kribs before i get the corries. my filter is a rena filstar xp2, but i was considering getting another filter of similar size to run alongside it.

cheers

 

[Harlequins]

Your stocking at the moment is near maximum with the kribs,so replacing kribs with cories,you could get possibly 5 pandas & 5 trilineatus that would probably take you back up to your maximum.another filter would help in keeping the water quality good and possibly overstock slightly,although with what you are suggesting on future stocking it may end up with not much swimming space for the fish,and they'll end up getting stressed.

I'm no expert on stocking,but perhaps you could get different opinions from other peeps

My tank is the same has yours,and my stocking is near maximum but i do have 2 externals running on there...

 

[lilacamy931]

Ok looking at that I would say with the kribs it is 100% stocked at the moment with the filter you have and a second filter would benefit them. I think with the extra harlequins and khulis and otos etc it would probably push it to the maximum..It might be hard to keep good water quality which is essential for cories. But that is just what I think

 

[Ben M]

thanks, so would this stocking be ok?

12 ottos, 5 SAE's, 20 copper harlequins, cherry shrimp, 10 kuhli loaches and maybe some more copper harlequins.

with that stocking, how many kribs could i get. i've read that the kuhli loaches add very little to the bioload.

cheers

 

[Ben M]

thanks, so would this stocking be ok?

12 ottos, 5 SAE's, 20 copper harlequins, cherry shrimp, 10 kuhli loaches and maybe some more copper harlequins.

with that stocking, how many kribs could i get. i've read that the kuhli loaches add very little to the bioload.

cheers

sorry, i meant, with that stocking, how many corries can i get?

i'm thinking maybe 10 trilineatus to start off with. wish they were cheaper though. i like the bronze corries, and they are cheaper, so i might get 10 of those instead. about how big do they grow? i've read from between 5-8 cm, is that right? and do the trilineatus grow to about 5cm? and would it be the limit if i got 10 of one species, or could i get more. i still haven't found another filter, so this stocking will probably be with only one filter, at least, for the time being. all the other fish i have/am getting, are low waste producers, (except the SAE's) and i've been told that i can add more fish, so would 10 be the limit?

cheers

 

[lilacamy931]

I would say so hon and I would introduce the numbers very slowly while keeping an eye on the parameters especially if not going for a second filter. Trialing say 4-5 would let you know if they are right for you, you havent expended too much and also if something does start to go wrong you dont lose a group of 10. I think a tank shouldnt be overstocked to see more but have a happy balanced environment and when adding new fish etc, need to be careful not to tip the balance especially with your current stocking (just my thoughts though)

 

[Ben M]

thanks, so if i was just to go for one species of cory, then i think it would be either trillineatus, bronze or skunks (not sure about the price of skunk corys). have you kept any of these species, and which are your fav? i think i might get the bronze, as they are the cheapest and easiest to breed, which i'd like to have a go at. how big do they grow to? and is it 2 male to 1 female for breeding? and what size is the best to buy them?

cheers

 

[lilacamy931]

I havent had the tris or the skunks, but have had the bronze and these get to a very decent big size. I have to say they aer amongst my favourites (really up there with the most active of cories in my opinion) and I would say it depends what you like! Do you like a striking stripe or pattern or a gold shimmer etc? I just like cories plainly Go to your LFS and have a look at what they can get and see what takes your fancy. Have you considered pandas also? These have very cute markings and a active cory but dont get as big as the bronze. (I would say my full grown bronze are 2-2.5 inches at least for the females).

If you can and plan on breeding with any cories, than 2 males to 1 female is ideal amongst any of the species, but a lot of LFS will have youngsters and so may not be easy to get this ratio, with a group of 5+ (6 being the ideal number) you are at least guaranteed one of each. Best person to ask might be Harlequins as she has skunks, tris, albinos and pandas (not bronze) and perhaps can give a more even opinion.

Also as you have pointed out the bronze are cheapest to buy and also perhaps easiest to keep and breed and would make an excellent first cory

To tempt you:
http/www.flickr.com/photos/27863297@N03/4421953447/

 

[Ben M]

hi, i just like corries in general. i think that the bronze would be the best to start with. i have seen the pandas, and although i like them, i think i prefer the bronze over all. would it be a good idea to buy them separately? because last week, when looking in a fish shop, i saw a large female bronze, in perfect condition, and full of eggs. i would have bought her, but because of the kribs i couldn't. so if i could find a couple of good specimens in each shop, then i could have a group of really good, unrelated fish. is that a good idea? love the bronze corys in the video.


cheers

 

[lilacamy931]

it wont harm getting them from different sources at all as it will introduce different bloodlines and will ensure you can pick teh healthiest excited on your behalf

 

[Ben M]

Thankyou

 

[Ben M]

hi, i've emailed a couple of fish shops to see if they'll swap my kribs for other fish. if they will swap, then i'll swap for bronze corys or if not then maybe some otto's. do you think there is much chance of them taking them, and if so, would they swap many fish for them? i have asked maidenhead's in beverley, and a garden centre near me.

cheers

 

[lilacamy931]

Havent a clue hon as it really does depend on the store whether it is a chain and on their policy, fingers crossed for you x