I currently have a 10g tank that houses 5 zebra danios, 2 cory cats, and an oto. Initially I only had 1 cory cat, but after reading how very social these little guys are, I went out and bought him a buddy (only 1 because I obviously do not have room for 6+). Unfortunately I cannot figure out exactly which kind of cory cats I have since they came from a PetSmart "spotted cory" tank, but they resemble the false julli or the C. trill...something. The folks at PetSmart swear these fish will get to be around 4 inches, but I have read that some species (that are very similiar looking to mine) only reach 2.5 inches. I cannot post any pics as I don't have anywhere to upload them 1st and I read that you can't just upload them to this site from a computer. So my 1st question is how long does it typically take for these fish to be full-grown so I can be sure? My 2nd question is, if they do in fact only reach 2.5 inches, is it possible to fit 1 more cory in my tank w/o being too overstocked? I am guessing that some may think my tank is already overstocked, but I will take the chance at asking. So far imo the stocking is fine and my parameters are where they should be, although I will admit it seems my psychotic danios could use a little more swimming room. It's not possible to upgrade my tank at this time since my landlord will not allow anything bigger than a 10, otherwise I would have at least a 75g and these questions would be irrelevent!
Cory stocking questions
- Thread starter snflwr78
- Start date
First let me admit that I've had a lot of bad luck with cories lately (read my recent posts, heh), however in my research I've come to realize that they really must be in larger groups, at least 4 or 5, and preferably 6 or 7 (especially for ones like panda cats), with really good hiding places.
They are fabulous fish, though!
I'll leave it to the experts on tank stocking suggestions, but I thought I'd chip in with my 2 cents
They are fabulous fish, though!
I'll leave it to the experts on tank stocking suggestions, but I thought I'd chip in with my 2 cents
As you have said, your danios need more room. A 15g is a bare minimum, but with their tendencies, a 20 long is much better. If I were you, I would take back the danios and cories, get 6 tetras or a betta, and finish off with 4 panda cories or 5 dwarf/pygmies (6 if you had 20-25g worth of filtration).
Does it look like this:
http://www.planetcatfish.com/catelog/image.php?image_id=994
If so, it is a C. Trilineatus. I got my cories from PetsMart out of the "spotted cory" tank also. And mine are definitely a C. Trili.
One died one me this week. It had some fungus, for I don't know how long - there are lots of hiding places for them in my tank. After I got it in a hospital tank, it died after a couple of days :cry: I want back to PetsMart yesterday, and their "spotted" cories are really spotted cories now :angryfire: They don't have any Trili, so I couldn't get a friend for my other cories. I wanted to keep them in a group of 5. But 4 will have to do for now since I can't find them locally now that PetsMart has the real spotted cories.
I'll have to check out that spotted cory tank at PetSmart. I've heard of fish mix-ups happening at Walmart too and of people walking away with bargains.
I agree that the danios should go and that you should either get something smaller or just stick with cories and get a couple more. I have a 25 gallon just for cories and I really enjoy them. I have good water circulation and lots of hiding places for them. Do you have a problem with the danios grabbing all of the food and not leaving any for the cories? I know what you mean about psychotic, I had some danios before and they were way too busy and aggressive for me. I enjoy a peaceful tank. About getting pandas, I love them and I've tried 3 time to keep them and they've always died on me. The fishstore sells them too small and they're stressed beyond belief before you even get them home. I'm sure I'll try again but I think the way to go with those is to get them from someone who's bred them at home.
I agree that the danios should go and that you should either get something smaller or just stick with cories and get a couple more. I have a 25 gallon just for cories and I really enjoy them. I have good water circulation and lots of hiding places for them. Do you have a problem with the danios grabbing all of the food and not leaving any for the cories? I know what you mean about psychotic, I had some danios before and they were way too busy and aggressive for me. I enjoy a peaceful tank. About getting pandas, I love them and I've tried 3 time to keep them and they've always died on me. The fishstore sells them too small and they're stressed beyond belief before you even get them home. I'm sure I'll try again but I think the way to go with those is to get them from someone who's bred them at home.
C. Trilineatus is what I have, thanks! Any idea on their full-grown size?
I do worry that the danios get all of the food, but I have been repeatedly told the corys eat things I can't see and will be fine. Maybe I will give more thought to getting rid of the danios if they would be happier. I just hate to put them through all the stress of uprooting them. Plus, I just read an 11 page thread on another site about some of the horrible stupid things folks put their fish through out of ignorance, and it scares me they will end up in a home like that.
And thanks for the pic tip, I will use it in the future.
I do worry that the danios get all of the food, but I have been repeatedly told the corys eat things I can't see and will be fine. Maybe I will give more thought to getting rid of the danios if they would be happier. I just hate to put them through all the stress of uprooting them. Plus, I just read an 11 page thread on another site about some of the horrible stupid things folks put their fish through out of ignorance, and it scares me they will end up in a home like that.
And thanks for the pic tip, I will use it in the future.
We have six pandas in our tank and we were having feeding problems until i found the catfish pellets to drop in the tank, one of the fabulous people on here said to drop them in ten minutes after lights out and it really works. chuck an algae wafer or something easy to suck out in the front of the tank for the danios and then drop the pellets at the back. The cory's will find them eventually. but pandas are definitely the bst, I have three playing amongst the plants right now and they are very cute!
Not trying to get :OT:, but what is the average price tag on Pandas? The only stores that carry them I know of have them 10$ each :22_yikes:, same with hatchets and a few other things, including false jullis (sp.); way too high price wise.