Which Cory's

[mpoulton12345]

Hi everyone, i realy fancy some cory's. I know the tank needs to be mature but how old should it be? I have gravel in the bottom but i have a couple of granite rocks which could be sharp. Which species are easier to look after.
matt

 

[mpoulton12345]

Come on people, can i keep cory's in a tank with a sharp rock?? whick cory's would be best for the beginner??

 

[geo7x]

well, none of the cory species are going to be less prone to being cut on sharp rock than others, so that is something to be cautious of, but if its going to be a danger, then chuck the rock, cories are great fish, and i would rather chuck the rock and get cories, than keep he rock and not get cories. Also, how coarse is your gravel? since cories rummage around in the substrate alot, coarse gravel can wear down their barbels, which they need to find food, as well as worn down barbels make them at risk from infection. Less hardy species to avoid in a new tank would be panda cories and bandit cories, any other should be fine, but be aware of the points ive just made. How big is the tank? Be sure to put the cories in groups of 3+, ideally more, as 3 is borderline.

 

[mpoulton12345]

The tank is 36x12x18 and the gravel pieces are about 5mm. i've got plenty of space to add 4 or 5 but the set up is only six weeks old.

 

[AQUAKING]

What fish do you have at the mo?

AQUAKING

 

[geo7x]

The tank is 36x12x18 and the gravel pieces are about 5mm. i've got plenty of space to add 4 or 5 but the set up is only six weeks old.

Ok, thats a good number, are there fish already living in it then? It's fine to add most cories for a 6 week old tank, apart from as i said it may be best to avoid panda and bandit cories as they are not very hardy, and dont do too well in new tanks, but any others should be fine.

p.s. and as aquaking said it would be good to know what fish are already in it.

 

[mpoulton12345]

I've already got black neon tetras, harlequin rasboras and a pair of rams.

 

[ulster exile]

So what temp are you running your tank at, as the harlies and rams would prob be at a higher temp?

That may affect your choice of corys, though offhand I couldn't tell you which!

 

[mpoulton12345]

normally at 25 but the hot weather has taken it up to 27 this week.

 

[ulster exile]

normally at 25 but the hot weather has taken it up to 27 this week.

ignore me mate - I was under the impression that both harlies and rams needed to be at higher temps than that, but obviously not.

My corys prefer the cooler end of the spectrum, about 23C so I run my tank at 24C to keep the rest of the fish happy!

Best of luck in choosing!