What kind of cories do you have Granny? I have albino paleatus (4 adults and 3 young ones) and a paleatus peppered and then I have 5 sterbais. The albinos and peppered are not shy at all - always busy but the sterbais are more nervous. The sterbais are still juvies so I'm hoping as they grow they'll get braver. I'll have to do more research on them to be sure their behaviour is normal.
Bottom Feeders Keep Dying...Help!!
- Thread starter platyprincess
- Start date
pp:I float the bag for 20 mins or so to acclimate new additions.
I just tested my water
GH: 120ppm
KH: 0ppm
pH: 6
NO2: 0ppm
NO3: 20ppm
The low pH must be shocking them to death.
Something may be wrong here as a GH of 120, which is hard, should be accompanied by some KH.
Does your tap water have a GH of 120?
I am assuming that you have checked PlanetCatfish for the habitat information of your plecos.
http://www.planetcatfish.com/core/index.php
IMHO, the problem is not the low Ph but the instantaneous changes in the Ph due to the low Kh and hence inducing some type of calcareous material into youe tank or filtration process would be appropriate.
Calcareous materials include crushed coral, crushed shells and limestone rock.
The induction of the these calcareous materials will "buffer" your water and decrease the instantaneous changes in the Ph of your tank water.
TR
I am not sure now LOL! there small, I am thinking there going to be small. one looks like it has armor on it. I will try to take some pics and you guys can tell me. I love them, there pretty fun little giys.
Do you have a bucket that's not used for household cleaning? Corys and plecs allegedly don't like being floated in bags, and can get majorly stressed over it (I remember David Sands writing about it years ago and have never floated catfish since)- you'd be better off releasing them into a bucket with a couple of plastic plants or something for them to hide under, and slowly siphoning water in from the tank to the bucket over a period of about half an hour. This should acclimate them to the water conditions and get close enough on temperature- as lots of corys and plecs require cool water changes to spawn temperature is less important anyway, within reason.
Thank you so much for all of your help. I'll definitely try acclimating in my water change bucket (I don't use it for anything else).
I've read that using larger gravel causes toxins to accumulate in pockets between them and can kill bottom feeders as they dislodge it. Would changing to a finer gravel help too?
I've read that using larger gravel causes toxins to accumulate in pockets between them and can kill bottom feeders as they dislodge it. Would changing to a finer gravel help too?
I've got some cories in a tank which has a very thin layer of gravel. I also have some in a planted tank with a thick layer of gravel. If your tank isn't planted I'd go with a thin layer. I don't think it's the size of the gravel that matters as much as the smoothness of it. It shouldn't be sharp gravel which can damage their barbels. With a thin layer it's easier for them to get at their food. Regular vaccuming should take care of infections since they are on the bottom.
I think (as 3 of us have mentioned) slow acclimation in another container until the water in the container is mostly tank water. Making sure the fish you bring home are the largest and healthiest and building them up with lots of good food. Hiding spots for security. If none of that works I'd say it's the supplier who's bringing in bad fish.
I think (as 3 of us have mentioned) slow acclimation in another container until the water in the container is mostly tank water. Making sure the fish you bring home are the largest and healthiest and building them up with lots of good food. Hiding spots for security. If none of that works I'd say it's the supplier who's bringing in bad fish.
I actually like larger gravel, but you probably need to make sure it's not too deep (not more than 1"), and gets a thorough stir around when you do a gravel vac. I know a few people who swear by sand, but I'd avoid it like the plague as my one "tank of death" this year was caused by switching to 3/4" of sand as the substrate.
Just wanted to wish you luck.. I've been having my own cory blues for the past six months or so (mine tend to do well for a few months, and then die). I've not acclimated in the separate container before, but I can certainly say mine did not like acclimating in the bag. If I decide to get more, I will get a dedicated container.
Folks:
My only cory experience is with sterbai but based on this experience I am surprised at the lack of joy, per your posts, with cories.
I received seven of these cories which were very young juvies two years ago subsequent to getting my main tank up and going.
Six of these cories have survived all of my adventures in fish keeping.
TR
My only cory experience is with sterbai but based on this experience I am surprised at the lack of joy, per your posts, with cories.
I received seven of these cories which were very young juvies two years ago subsequent to getting my main tank up and going.
Six of these cories have survived all of my adventures in fish keeping.
TR
