do fish learn from other fish?

[often dignified]

I got 2 Agasizzi Cories yesterday to go with my 2 Platies in my 10 gallon. I put in more food than normal, pushing some down to make sure it got to the bottom. My Cories quickly discovered the food and ate it.

To my surprise, the Platies were also eating off of the bottom once they saw the Cories do it. These Platies never used to go after food once it sunk, but once they saw the Cories do it, they started to jump in and join. They definitely are not starved... I feed them about 6 medium sized flakes 2 times a day.

Did they learn this from the Cories?

[aquariumfishguy]

I believe its about animal instinct. I mean they see the other fish getting to what looks like food so of course they will try it. They like it, and keep going back for more food. Sounds reasonable to me...;)

[Aquarius0015]

I had a similar experience today. I bought shrimp pellets because I am worried that my ghost shrimp have not been eating enough lately (kind of easy when you can see the contents of their stomachs). It sunk right to the bottom and they started going at it. After a few minutes though, my betta decided to join in, so I had to drop one in for him, too.

I've never of Agasizzi cories. How big do they get, and must they be kept in groups of 3 or more like other cories? I'm looking for ideas for my future 10 gallon.

[often dignified]

oops, it's Agassizi

http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/prod_Display.cfm?siteid=21&pCatId=949

They get to 1.5" and the guy at the pet store said it doesn't really matter if you keep them in a large group... he keeps about 50 tanks really clean and I never see any dead fish so I pretty much took his word on it. I've heard to keep 6 or more together, but 6 would be overkill for a 10 gallon, so hopefully they won't mind just being a pair.

On that site it says minumum of 30 gallons, but many people here said 3 would be fine for my 10 gallon. These critters are cool... they sleep on top of each other and are cute!

[Aquarius0015]

Wow, I want one now. My LFS only has albinos and pandas (and supposedly bronzes and pygmies, but I never see them). Agassizis or jullis would be great in my future tank! Have you actually ordered from the site you linked to Dignified? $2.00 seems like a good price for a julii, but $15 (plus shipping) for a panda is a little expensive considering the LFS sells them for $4.

I'm very desperate for a few good cories! As much as I dislike the idea, does Petsmart stock a variety of cory species?

[yashinfan]

I have only seen one Jullii ever in a pet store and it was not a Petsmart. It was at this really small store called Little Critters for $3.55 but they only had one and I really want to get a small school. I keep seeing skunk and panda cories for decent prices but they are just not as attractive as Julliis. :sad

[often dignified]

No I bought them at a local store... I paid $3.99 each
All Cories are pretty much the same, it's just a matter of picking the ones you think look the coolest ;)

[Hawaii_Fantails]

I have four panda corys in my 10 gallon and they are nice creatures to watch... They really do look like pandas! We had some Julii in out lfs this past time I went, but I like my pandas better... LOL

Aloha!
Hawaii_Fantails