Aquarium Stocking Level

[cowboyish1]

Hello all. First post. I love the corydoras. My favorite is the Corydoras Similis. I currently own just a small 12 gallon tank, an Eclipse System 12 with a separate Nitrate Filter. The filtration in the tank is quite nice, and it does provide a bit of a current. The tank is planted and has several little "cave" hideouts. I do regular/weekly water changes (1-2 gallons). I currently have 6 c. similis in this tank. I'm told that it would perfectly acceptable to add 6 Celestial Pearl Danios or 6 c. hastatus. The aqadvisor website agrees. I am skeptical, though. While I would like to add some mid-level interest to the tank, the health of my current shoal is of utmost importance to me. What do you all think? Thanks in advance.

[littletoot2016]

I would increase the water changes to 4 to 5 gallons once a week. 6 corys is enough cats, maybe add a BN pleco for algae control. The 6 Danios would be good, and 6 of the hardier tetras for mid water. Have fun, Harry

[naturalart]

Welcome to planetcatfish cowboyish1. Personally, if I were looking for more motion, in addition to CPD's (Danio margaritatus) I would think: possibly whiteclouds (Tanichthys albonubes) micro rasbora (genus Boraras), ember tetra (Hyphessobrycon amandae), red phantom tetra (Hyphessobrycon sweglisi), neon tetra (Paracheriodon innesi), yes (C. hastatus or pygmaeus), threadfin ranbows (iriantherina werneri) or Pseudomugil ranbows. If I'm looking for more slow motion I would consider one of the sparkeling gouramis (Trichopsis sp.), maybe a betta, the mini cat (Hylobragrus sp.). I will let someone else chime in about dwarf cichlids as I don't have a lot of experience with mixing them and Cories, some challenges there.

After 1 month quarantine (very very important for every fish you ever buy) in another 10g, I would drip acclimate, then add. After that increase your water changes as littletoot2016 suggest. Do your research! my 2¢ ... oh and did I say Welcome!

[MChambers]

CPDs would be good, or perhaps some red cherry shrimp, or green neon tetras. I've kept all of these with various types of corydoras. I don't think the additional bioload is significant enough to be a problem.

[cowboyish1]

Thanks everyone. Much appreciated!!