Why are my corys...?

[ecto1]

I have two small corys, each only about an inch. I'm unsure of what kind they are - they are a tan color with a black band down the back and a black band running down their face over their eyes - the fish store didn't say what type they were.

Anyways, I've had them for about two weeks, and in the past few days I've noticed them darting back and forth from the bottom of the tank to the top and back down. I've also noticed that one of them doesn't really move much at all, it just sits in the corner.

I've checked the water, and it seems fine. The two corys are housed in a ten-gallon tank with 5 platys.

 

[Fishy411]

sounds like breeding behavior. Also sounds like panda cory's to me. Cant think why one would be in the corner but this definately sounds liek breeding behavior. Have you recently done a water change?

 

[Inchworm]

Hi ecto1

One inch long corys are still young and they will normally be very playful at times and quiet at others. If they both look healthy in every other way, they are fine.

Just be sure that you keep their water clean with weekly water changes and bottom vacuuming.

Here's a link to a site that has pictures of the various kinds of corys. If you can give us some idea about what they look like, we can help you figure out which ones you have, since they are not all available at the lfs.

http/www.planetcatfish.com/catelog/calli...ra/g_thumbs.htm

 

[ecto1]

Inchworm, thanks for that great site! My corys are "Bandit" corys, Corydoras metae. I knew the name started with an M.

I moved the corys to another tank, a 20 gallon, and now they seem much happier.

 

[Inchworm]

Hi ecto1

I'm glad to learn that your corys like their new home.

If you have room, why not consider getting one or two more corys? They are schooling fish and are most comfortable because they feel more secure when they are kept in larger groups.

 

[ecto1]

I like that idea! I really like my corys, so maybe after the holidays I will add a couple more.

 

[white]

Hi,
I have 2 alnbino and 1 peppered cory.
Firstly they love to play in the waves from the filter and will do so for hours.
They also make mad dashes for the surface but this is normal. Remember that they can take in air from atmosphere and you will see them releasing this occaisionally as bubbles.
They are intriguing creatures. The peppered one plays for dead if a larger fish approaches and sometimes lies on the botton on its side or back for quite a while. It has even persuaded me that it has expired but then quite happily carries on swimming. Another trick it has mastered, is to swim upside down at the surface to ensure that it gets its share of food. The albinos seem to be picking up the trick from it.
All in all harmless and fascinating little creatures.
Roy

 

[Griz]

My corys seem to enjoy tearing around the tank together, especially in the evening. They swim up and down, back and forth, all over the front of the tank, sometimes hitting the surface. I don't believe that this is feeding behaviour. Could be breeding behaviour I suppose, they really seem to be having a good time and it's a lot of fun to watch. All four swim together in a close group and take turns playing follow-the-leader.

 

[Inchworm]

...They swim up and down, back and forth, all over the front of the tank, sometimes hitting the surface. I don't believe that this is feeding behaviour. Could be breeding behaviour I suppose,...

Hi Griz

Your corys are just playing. All corys, especially young ones, act like that from time to time. Having a school of them makes a usually sedate aquarium a lot more interesting, IMHO.

What is really fun to watch is a whole tankful of young corys growing up. They are, by far, my very favorite fish!

 

[Griz]

Whatever it is, they sure do seem to be enjoying themselves. Corys are one of those fish that just seem to have fun. Not many fish find time to 'play' with each other the way these guys do.

I know that this has been said many many times around here but it's "on topic" so... Years ago I used to keep 1 or 2 corys as bottom feeders in my tanks. (Back in the dark ages, I didn't know any better) They sometimes exhibited this sort of behaviour but mostly just slept and ate. I have a group of 4 now and boy do these fellows seem happy. What a difference! I'm considering getting a few more.