Replacement for Pygmy Cories in this Stocking Scheme

[Opicana]

I think I need to come up with an alternative to pygmy cories in the stocking scheme for my 72g. I'm have a difficult time finding them locally and people keep telling me they are rare.

Tank: 72g Bow; Moderately Planted
Here's the old plan:
12 Longfin Blackskirt Tetras
12 Danios
2 Bolivian Rams
10 Otos
10 Pygmy Cories
Plus a few platies and some endlers....the #'s will vary, but they will remain fairly low (I have other the tanks they will go in plus some will be sold/given away)

So....what can I replace the pygmy cories with? My LFS has pandas and they seem quite cute. I like smaller fish so I can have larger schools.

Suggestions for type and #??

[jbradt]

panda cories are awesome! in a big enough school, they show a lot of personality... they also stay relatively small and you could probably fit 8-10.

alternatively, you might think about kuhli loaches. they are active if the groups are big enough (and they have plenty of spaces to hide and feel safe), and i've found that my black kuhli's are quite active even during the hours the lights are on.

[cam191919]

i just got 6 pygmys yesterday. i often get them confused with the least killis in the tank. same size, same color pattern, good schoolers. thats what i would go with but they might be even harder to find. good luck :D

[Opicana]

Thanks!

A school of Kuhli Loaches are planned for my other tank, so I'd like to have cories in this one. But good suggestion!

[irishspy]

Panda cories are lovely, but be aware that (based on my experience and that of others here) they're hard to keep alive. I take good care of my tank and yet I only have a roughly 15% survival rate beyond a few weeks. I have no idea why.

Kuhli loaches are very cool. :clap:

[Opicana]

Ouch! Thanks for the tip, I will look into them more before deciding.

I love your avatar!

[WandaA]

I love the pandas! They stay small and cute. I only have 4, but I've had them for a couple of years with no problems

[jpappy789]

I'd say pandas. You could probably go with 10 of them as well.

[Opicana]

Awesome. Thanks for all the opinions guys! Unless, I happen to come across some pygmies in the meantime, I think I will plan to add some pandas next weekend!

[fishorama]

I haven't seen any pygmys for a few weeks but any corys are cute. Pandas are only a bit smaller but oh so pretty. Get ones you like or wait, some are seasonal & will be available.

[OldMan47]

Pygmies are available almost all the time on aquabid. You can also contact floridaguppiesplus even when they are not advertising pygmies, I have found they have them. I got both habrosus and hastatus from them. Luis of FGP is a good person to deal with and will always treat you right when you deal with him.