Corydoras Adolfoi help

[cpfc]

I have become hooked on Adolfoi Corys by accident. We bought some in March and we suspect they may have been ill and they had a high death rate in a healthy tank. They were acclimatised slowly. There are three left there in the community tank.

I have just obtained another four and set them up in a 20l tank with a sandy substrate, sponge filter, 100W heater, air stone and a couple of small Java ferns on wood. They were skinny at first and had only been in the shop a couple of days. They are eating NLS Grow at the moment and algae wafers overnight. Hopefully they will turn into fat fellas and there is little detritus or leftover food in the tank so I guess I am not overfeeding.

KH=3 GH=4 and pH is about 7.6 but I need to monitor as I do water changes and the tank ages. Temp is about 26. The sponge filter is mature from a grow out tank.

I am reading that water softness is more of a priority over a low pH hence I am going to try a hands off approach at first. What do you do to keep ideal water for the cats and how do you keep it stable.

Another thing I have learnt is the fish are from a blackwater river (Rio Negro) and was wondering if I should replicate that. I have read about Indian Almond Leaves (Ketapang) and may try that. Anyone else tried this or am I being silly?

[corybreed]

You are not being silly in trying to replicate the adolfoi's Rio Negro water parameters. I use almond leaves to stimulate spawning for some species of corys. That being said I have bred adolfoi many times without any special water conditions.

Mark

[cpfc]

Thanks Mark. I guess I am asking if the way I am going around it is right. I will see if I can obtain some leaves. It is a shame I am on the wrong side of this continent to grow the tree.

You are not being silly in trying to replicate the adolfoi's Rio Negro water parameters. I use almond leaves to stimulate spawning for some species of corys. That being said I have bred adolfoi many times without any special water conditions.

Mark