General cory questions from a new guy

lsuber · Post by **lsuber** » 02 Apr 2004, 22:32

I'm relatively new with cory cats, althought I've kept a few without really knowing much about them. I'm thinking of adding several to a 29-gal, and possibly some more to a 90-gal, and have some questions. First, what is an appropriate number for the 29-gal? I currently have around 8 Black Neons and 10 Neon tetras in there. It's a pretty wide-open tank (can supply photo if needed) with lots of swimming room. Also, can I combine C. sterbai and C. julii in the same tank? I LOVE the look of the sterbai's but not sure I"m want to plop down $60 for 5 or 6 of them.

What's a good number (and type) to add to the 90-gal? It's a live plant tank with discus (so the water's about 83 to 84 degrees), cardinal and rummynose tetras, clown loaches, and 5 julii cory cats.

Thanks for the help everybody!

Post by **corybreed** » 02 Apr 2004, 22:46

A 29 gallon tank can accomodate 10 Corys with out trouble. C.sterbai and C. julii can be combined without a problem. The 90 gallon tank in question can hold a large group of Corys. You can combine species in the tanks if you are not interested in breeding them. C. sterbai will do well in the 90, they like it warm.
Mark

lsuber · Post by **lsuber** » 02 Apr 2004, 23:56

Awesome, that's more per tank that I'd assumed would fit. I do wonder about your comment about keeping different species if I'm not interested in breeding. Will cories not breed if multiple species are present? If I have 5 and 5 (sterbai and julii) in a tank, is it not possible that two sterbai could breed, and 2 julii could breed? As you can tell, I have a lot to learn about these little dudes.

I also wonder about feeding them. Right now, the ones I have pretty much get the leftovers that make it to the bottom of the tank, plus some bottom-feeder tablets (Bio-Blend brand). Will that be enough for them?

Post by **corybreed** » 03 Apr 2004, 02:43

If you want to breed Corys it is best to keep them in a single species tank. If you keep different species together you may end up with hybrids when they spawn. As far as feeding you have to make sure the Corys get enough to eat. Do not depend only on scraps making it to the bottom of the tank.
Mark

lsuber · Post by **lsuber** » 03 Apr 2004, 03:04

I'll ask this question, but I sense it's opening up a can of worms. I honestly don't know the deal with this: are hybrids a bad thing? I've never had fish that I was not supposed to let different "types" breed. It's cool if that's the deal with cory cats, I just didn't know!

Post by **corybreed** » 03 Apr 2004, 03:33

As a hobbyist/aquarist it is important to preserve the integrity of the species of fish that we keep and breed. Unlike breeding for different color forms in guppies and bettas Corydoras are best not hybridized.
Mark

lsuber · Post by **lsuber** » 05 Apr 2004, 16:37

I"ve looked around the site a little, and didn't find anything really definitive regarding feeding these guys. What's a good way to feed corys that share a tank with other fish such as tetras (congo's eat EVERYTHING I put in the water). How can I be sure enough of the right type of food makes it to the bottom. And what are the right types of food to properly meet these guy's needs?

Post by **corybreed** » 05 Apr 2004, 18:40

There are many sinking tablets on the market today to feed Corys. Live or frozen worms are always relished by them as well. If you feed just before turning off the lights in the evening the Corys should get enough food.
Mark