Cory behavior & Molly Suggestions

Fish Kate

Fish Kate

Don't Eat the Puppies
Sep 9, 2005
126
0
0
Chicago
I recently introduced a small cory to an established tank (see #2 in my signature). Not sure exactly what kind he is but he's not supposed to get over 2.5" (he's about 1.5" now).

I've been doing extra 30% water changes daily, the water temp is 78, and I haven't seen an amonia spike but I have noticed him occassionally swimming crazy fast and then settling on the bottom of the tank.

Is this normal cory behavior? I never had one before.

I did not QT him (bad bad bad, I know!)

He is eating and his color has improved a little (more contrast in his spots) since I brought him home a few days ago.

Also, I'm thinking of adding some mollies to this same tank. I have observed them in LFS's and really like them...would they be better in a single pair or more or ... other suggestions?

Thank you!
 
i'd strongly urge you to keep corydoras in groups of 5 ... they do far better this way as they appreciate the company of their own kind. as for his behaviour, give him a week to settle in and then you can determine whether he's healthy or not.
 
Only in groups?

liv2padl said:
i'd strongly urge you to keep corydoras in groups of 5 ... they do far better this way as they appreciate the company of their own kind. as for his behaviour, give him a week to settle in and then you can determine whether he's healthy or not.
Click to expand...

5??? Should I take him back, then? I only have a 10gal.

If I moved my betta to another tank, could I even have 5 cories in a 10 gal?
 
5 cory's in a ten gallon tank should be no problem. yes, i'd move the betta but i'm not sure it's absolutely necessary.
 
Even a group of 3 is better than a single cory, they prefer company of their own kind and places to hide to feel secure in their environment. The crazy swimming could be him getting used to the tank. Do you have driftwood or a cave and some plants for him to hide in? I would say a male betta and 3 SMALL cories in a 10 gallon should be fine (try to get the same type you already have) but am not sure about the large mystery/apple snails, I read they produce a lot of waste and get quite large. Make sure the cories have room to swim around, too.
 
I have two small resin & plastic foliage caves on opposite corners in the tank -- the betta uses the larger one as his hideout and regular lair. Also there are some plastic plants in the corners and some floating (I'd prefer real but the snails have eaten everything I tried). Maybe I should plan for a "snails only" tank down the road....

The cory was the only one of his kind at the LFS -- he was the only cory in a tank full of mollies (which is what gave me the mollies + cory idea in the first place). If I can't find any more like him what should I do? If I post a picture, can you help me identify him? I've looked at a zillion pictures at other sites and none of them look exactly like him.
 
Photo

Here is my cory
attachment.php


Can anyone positively ID it?

Thanks

cory cat.jpg
 
I have three cories, and the behavor is normal... mine use to do that, even swim, or seemed more like jumped to the top of the tank, then back to the bottom...

they dont seem to do this much anymore, but when they were younger they use to do it alot..

I started off with only one corie, but then bought him two friends, and i can just tell by his personality that he is much happier, waiting to buy myself afew more... i love them..
 
I have an albino cory and he zips around the tank back and forth up and down, etc. I have a lyretail molly, an albino tiger barb, a regular tiger barb, and 4 ghost shrimp.... all very happy. I say go for the mollies! :dance2:
 
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