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Looking for a Cory species that will thrive in water specifically tailored for raising Cardinal Tetra breeders. The tank water will be 80°F and between 6.5 and 7.0 Ph, and softened with added RO water to get hardness down to 4dH or less, under 100uS at any rate.

I need some bottom feeders to help take care of the Grindal worms and other live foods I am conditioning the Cardinals with that sink to the bottom. But I don't want to torture catfish in the process because not even snails live long in that soft acid water.

Any suggestions?

Tom

I think a lot of corys would do well there. I used to spawn trilineatus at pH 4.5. TDS was higher though, but softer water should be easier to manage I would think.
Cheers,
Eric

I agree, many cories do well in soft water, but keep an eye on the temperature requirements. Some prefer it much cooler and will not do well in continuous high temps.
Personally I’d go for a group of one of the golden-shouldered types from the Rio Negro basin: adolfoi / duplicareus / burgessi etc. They should be fine with soft water and 80F, and they’re pretty too. On a diet of grindalworms you’ll find then spawning too.

Corydoras sterbai! They do well at higher temperatures. And they are pretty too!

Thanks for the recommendations guys, lots to consider.

Tom