Make Sterbai Happy

[jameson_uk]

I have 10 Sterbai Cory that have been in my tank for nearly six months now. They started out quite active and would come out for food a few minutes after it was added but after a month or so they became more withdrawn and now spend most of their time sat under driftwood or ornaments and don't even come out when food is on offer.

I do see them out scavenging after dark but very rarely during the day. They also used to do a bit of swimming but they never seem to leave the substrate now.

When they are visible they are rarely far from cover and will disappear as soon as anyone approaches the tank.

Food is Hinkari sinking wafers, new era catfish pellets and frozen bloodworms but they are never in any hurry to eat (can leave it 25 mins and they often don't touch it)

Parameters are OK
Temp: 25.5C
Ammonia: 0
Nitrite: 0
Nitrate: <20
pH: 7.4

The tank has inert sand which was recommended for corys (Unipac Limpopo).

I am aware that the tank has high lighting and previously I had a circulation pump blowing over the substrate. Have been doing some experimentation and now have changed the flow so the circulation pump is at the top of the tank and also tried to add a bit more shade from the light. This seems to have made them a little better but I am concerned they are stressed.

Tank is laid out like

So wondering whether they want a bigger open swimming area?

Should I be concerned for them and what can I do to help them?

[torusle]

Nice tank. I really like the layout.

Regarding your Corys, how much do you feed them? In the picture you've posted I see a lot of food pallets on the floor. That looks waaay to much to me. Maybe they're just full and spend most of the day digesting? Corys can eat stupid amounts of food, but they don't need much.

I have 14 Corys in my 180 liter tank and they get one block of frozen food or a teaspoon of dried food per day which they share with the other fish. In general they don't get extra food unless they're actively searching around for something to eat.

Btw, I've seen some algea spots here and there on the stones and glas. Have you considered adding a small bristlenose pleco? He would totally love to clean up that mess for you

[jameson_uk]

Nice tank. I really like the layout.

Regarding your Corys, how much do you feed them? In the picture you've posted I see a lot of food pallets on the floor. That looks waaay to much to me. Maybe they're just full and spend most of the day digesting? Corys can eat stupid amounts of food, but they don't need much.

I have 14 Corys in my 180 liter tank and they get one block of frozen food or a teaspoon of dried food per day which they share with the other fish. In general they don't get extra food unless they're actively searching around for something to eat.

It was 1 wafer per cory. I have amano shrimp in there who run off with the wafers and some dwarf rainbowfish who help themselves too. When feeding frozen they get one cube. They get very little dried food as the dwarf rainbows see to that. How many wafers should I feed (assuming a few will get pinched)? Will try putting them on a diet

Btw, I've seen some algea spots here and there on the stones and glas. Have you considered adding a small bristlenose pleco? He would totally love to clean up that mess for you

Yes I have . I have 10 amano shrimp, five otos and a SAE who do their fair share of cleaning but I have some issues with too much light. I originally ruled out a BNP and now I am too well stocked to add one.

[backstreetgambler]

Make sure that cirkulation pump really swirls the surface. I've noticed on my own corys that they get bolder and more active with increased oxygenation. They often spawn too right after a filter cleaning. And yes, it is cause for consern - if they don't snap out of it they will eat less and less and get ever weaker. I had that happen to a group of C. arcuatus. Lost 6 out of 7. They hunkered down all day just like yours. Good luck w yours!

[jameson_uk]

Make sure that cirkulation pump really swirls the surface. I've noticed on my own corys that they get bolder and more active with increased oxygenation. They often spawn too right after a filter cleaning. And yes, it is cause for consern - if they don't snap out of it they will eat less and less and get ever weaker. I had that happen to a group of C. arcuatus. Lost 6 out of 7. They hunkered down all day just like yours. Good luck w yours!

Will do. Might put the air bar back in too (but ended up taking it out last time as half the fish were terrified if it, even after 3 weeks and just because how noisy air pumps are)

They are eating but appears it is only at night but I am not keen of leaving some food in overnight for them. The ones I see look healthy enough but there are 10 in there and I only ever see a few at a time (indeed it has been a very long time since I was able to count 10 of them)

[N0body Of The Goat]

It wasn't a perfect mix in terms of temperature requirements, but a few years back, I put my group of 11 young Brochis splendens in with my 10 Corydorus sterbai. It made them far more confident and it looked amazing, they moved across the tank floor like a flock of birds.

[jameson_uk]

It wasn't a perfect mix in terms of temperature requirements, but a few years back, I put my group of 11 young Brochis splendens in with my 10 Corydorus sterbai. It made them far more confident and it looked amazing, they moved across the tank floor like a flock of birds.

Unfortunately I am pretty much fully stocked
10 Sterbai Cory
5 Oto
11 Black Neon Tetra
9 dwarf Neon rainbowfish
10 amano shrimp
1 SAE
In my 180l tank.
Came across http://www.planetcatfish.com/forum/view ... hp?t=33492
Which seems a bit similar (no idea how I could even replace the grey stone background without tearing down the tank). Their Otos were also shy but mine are really active.

Interesting point about sound though... The circulation pump is causing some resonance with the tank lid and vibration on the glass (thus in the water). I am wondering whether this might not be helping