Suggestions for cory tank

firestar · Post by **firestar** » 07 Aug 2005, 18:12

I have a 5 gallon tank set up that currently houses 2 pygmy cories and 1 habrosus cory. Ideally, I would like to add 1 more pygmy and 2 more habrosus, however habrosus are no longer available anywhere in my city. (I've been looking for months.) Would 2 panda cories be a suitable addition, or would they be a little too big?

Also, I've read that pandas are more delicate then other species. Is this true, and will they be able to adjust to my water parameters? In the tank, my pH is about 7.8 - 8.0 and my hardness is about 160 - 180.

firestar · Post by **firestar** » 10 Aug 2005, 19:21

Anyone? Experience with panda cories?

Starsky · Post by **Starsky** » 11 Aug 2005, 05:03

Ideally, you should keep at least 5 of the same species together. But they will school with other species anyway. I have read that pandas are more delicate than the other species but I have kept 5 of them in a 5 gallon tank with water temp as high as 29 degrees celsius during summertime and I've had no problems at all. The stock I got are locally bred so I tend to think that they have adjusted to the water conditions in my area. A friend of mine was even able to breed them under the same conditions. I'm guilty of not checking my water parameters though so I cannot give any opinions on pH, water hardness, etc. I just treat tapwater with a purifier to neutralize harmful toxins and chemicals and blackwater extract. I'm not an expert but i've had very good experience with pandas. They are more active than the rest of my cories who tend to sit on a rock or under a cave for long stretches of time. Not to mention they are extremely cute. Good luck!

kim m · Post by **kim m** » 11 Aug 2005, 08:00

C. pandas are, IMO, fairly easy fish to keep. I've also heard that they aren't as hardy as other cories, but I've never had any preoblems with them. I keep 8 of the in a 25 litre tank (my breeding stock) and change 50% of the water twice a week. Temp. around 23-24 degrees celcius and a pH og 6-7. I use rainwater, so I think it is fairly soft. I kept them with my pygmyes in a 30 litre tank for a while due to lack of space in my old apartment. That worked actually ok, because when one of the species began spawning, the other species began spawning within hours.

Hope you can use this.

Best regards,
Kim Mathiasen