Would Like To Add Corys

[OrbWeaver]

Hello everyone,
I have recently fallen in love with Cory fish and was thinking adding a few to my tank. I was wondering if it would be OK to add about 6 (not sure which type yet).
I have a well established 55 gallon community tank (temp kept at 78 degrees) with 2 yo yo loaches (about 3 years old and a good size) 1 bristlenose pleco, 3 mollies, 1 platy, 2 male guppies and 15 neon tetra. I also clean my tank alot. (atleast 8 gallons every other day with a 20-25% water change every 2 weeks).
Thank you very much for your help. It is very much appreciated.

p.s. i am also running 2 Whisper 60 filters

 

[the_lock_man]

I'm not particular good at stock levels on larger tanks, however, cories are shoaling species, and I would recommend a minimum of 6. I will leave it to others to comment upon whether you have the capacity for them or not.

 

[DevotedToDiscus]

I have Corys, as do many here, but to be honest track down username "Harlequins" on the forum for some top Cory advice

 

[OrbWeaver]

I'm not particular good at stock levels on larger tanks, however, cories are shoaling species, and I would recommend a minimum of 6. I will leave it to others to comment upon whether you have the capacity for them or not.

Me either, I can never understand the stocking rule. I get all kinds of conflicting info in books and online...

Minimum of 6 Corys? Ok, thanks much. I will change that in my OP. My book says 4 thats why I thought 4 but, if I am able to add them, I want them to be as happy as possible so I will see if 6 would be OK or if thats just too much for this tank. I am planning on getting another tank in the next year or so, so if I can't put any Cory's in my existing tank they will definitely be first on my list for my next tank.

Thanx so much for your reply and advice.

I have Corys, as do many here, but to be honest track down username "Harlequins" on the forum for some top Cory advice

Ok, will do. Thank you for the reply.

 

[the_lock_man]

I'm not particular good at stock levels on larger tanks, however, cories are shoaling species, and I would recommend a minimum of 6. I will leave it to others to comment upon whether you have the capacity for them or not.

Me either, I can never understand the stocking rule. I get all kinds of conflicting info in books and online...

Minimum of 6 Corys? Ok, thanks much. I will change that in my OP. My book says 4 thats why I thought 4 but, if I am able to add them, I want them to be as happy as possible so I will see if 6 would be OK or if thats just too much for this tank. I am planning on getting another tank in the next year or so, so if I can't put any Cory's in my existing tank they will definitely be first on my list for my next tank.

Thanx so much for your reply and advice.

There really aren't any rules as such about stocking, because it depends on too many factors for there to be one hard-and-fast rule. Much better, in my humble opinion, to post your proposals on here and get the advice of loads of experienced experts.

 

[eaglesaquarium]

There are no "rules" just guidelines. (I assume this tank is rectangular in shape and has a fair amount of substrate?)


The temp is a bit on the high end for most corys, knocking this down to 72-75 would benefit the cories, depending on the species, but would not be preferred by the loaches. Also, you have mollies in the tank... What is the hardness of your water? Generally, mollies prefer hard water and cories prefer soft water. This might cause some conflict in water preferences. Again, you want to be a little careful regarding the specie choice. Sterbai can handle a bit more temp and a bit higher kH than others, but not too high. Take your time acclimatizing them and it should be fine assuming you don't have ridiculously hard water.


I will agree that "Harlequins" is probably the most knowledgeable cory keeper on the forum, and usually spends a lot of time in the Corydoras forum, not so much in this forum.

 

[BigbruiserAl]

Sterbai a good at higher temp and often kept with discus at the 29c mark

 

[Baccus]

Strebia may tolerate warmer temps than most cory's but I have found my mob of 15 odd strebia are happier around the 25 degree mark, they also breed well when kept at the lower end of the range. Cory's are a great addition to any tank (that can house a good shoal of them) but please make sure you use sand or at best an extremely smooth gravel for the cory's and loaches. They will be much happier and healthier with the sand and you will get to see they displaying their natural snuffling habits and filtering the sand to find tid bits of food.

The Molly really wont be terribley happy in a pre fresh/ sost water tank but I have known some mollies to live for years (breeding all the time) in cattle toughs and old cut open water tanks that mostly only got filled when it rained or maybe from underground water being pumped in. Platties and guppies can go either way with soft or hard water, my guppies are all in soft water and are thriving showing good colour, I used to have platties in soft water as well and they where constantly expanding their numbers too.

The Bristle nose will be fine with the cory's they tend to work different shifts in the tank any way just ensure the Bristle nose has a favourite hollow/ hiding spot and they will all be happy.
I have 4 Pakastani loaches (yo-yo's) with my mob of strebia and a breeding pair of bristle noses and they all get along just fine, yo-yos can get a tad boistrous with other fish and are shocking sticky beaks to any new tank inhabitants, but otherwise they are well behaved and don't go out of their way to bully or fight other fish. My Pakastani loaches also have cherry shrimp in the tank and the cherry shrimp numbers have not delined so I think they are adlut shrimp safe.