Substrate for Cory

[rolo866]

Hi all,

New to the forum. I have a new addition to my tank - a little Cory - think it is a trilin... although I wanted a Julii - can't get him to sit still long enough to check his spots.

QUESTION - I have fairly large gravel as substrate. I know it would be better for smaller gravel for the cory - am looking for recommendations - just smaller gravel, sand?

Also - how to go about this? You can see tank pics if you go to my site in the sig - I thought about getting a smaller gravel and mixing in gradually with what's there - I don't want to have a mini cycle if I can help it - but to put on the top layer to fill in the bigger cavities in the big gravel...

Thoughts?

Thanx!

[saphphx]

Sand is always best for cory :) I would recommend keeping no fewer then 3 cory though - 6 is best, as they are very social, and I have seen a lone cory sulk to death.

When I did my tank, I got some panty hose and a net. I used the net to scoop out ALL of the gravel and put it in the panty hose, which I then laid on the sand for about a week. Best to rince the panty hose first :) then it lets the good bacteria get on the sand and you can remove the gravel with ease :)

[saphphx]

Just saw the tank, didn't realize it was so small. I would at least have 2 just the same. My first tank was one of those with 2 albino cory, and they did well. I wouldn't add any more fish after that though.

[fishcatch22]

you cns't really have that cory alone in your tank, he will get too big, the tank is too tall, plus your tank is already a bit overstocked as it is.

to answer your original question, yes, it would be good idea to use a finer grain gravel, but read the above.

[Hagermanfd]

i have 7 cory cats in my 55 gallon with a gravel substrate, and everyone is doing just fine, you can prob. only get about 2-3 in your tank

[saphphx]

you cns't really have that cory alone in your tank, he will get too big, the tank is too tall, plus your tank is already a bit overstocked as it is.

They really aren't to tall. They are not more then an inch higher then most standard tanks.

I know a lot of people with 2 adult cory in those type of tanks, though I wouldn't do it myself as they love ground room to swim, it is possible. I only use them for holding tanks and sick tanks, or holding until you get a bigger tank :)

[fishcatch22]

They really aren't to tall. They are not more then an inch higher then most standard tanks.

I know a lot of people with 2 adult cory in those type of tanks, though I wouldn't do it myself as they love ground room to swim, it is possible. I only use them for holding tanks and sick tanks, or holding until you get a bigger tank :)I know how tall it is, I have one, and it is too tall to be good for cories IMO. cories really should be in groups of 4 or more, and he is already slightly overstocked. adding more fish at this point is not a good idea.

[saphphx]

I know how tall it is, I have one, and it is too tall to be good for cories IMO. cories really should be in groups of 4 or more, and he is already slightly overstocked. adding more fish at this point is not a good idea.

I think it would be better then having one cory on its own. IMO, corys should be in nothing taller then 8 inches of water, in groups of 10 or more, but how many people do that? :P

Not here to argue. A lot of things aren't good for fish but are done, but like I also said above, should be ok as a holding tank til he gets a bigger one and I already mentioned that no more fish should be added, but I do think it would be better to have 2 and be a bit over stocked then have one on its own.

[kuhliloach]

i thought sand could just be easily eatin'?

[saphphx]

i thought sand could just be easily eatin'?

depends on the type of fish. I wouldn't use sand with anything like goldfish and pacu as they are likely to eat a good deal while picking about for food, but smaller fish like cory and endlers will be a bit more careful with their picking and not eat sand for the most part.