Cory Questions?

[GeoPappas]

I am looking into getting some Sterbai Cories.

What type of substrate do Corys need? Round gravel? Sand? And how deep?

How many should I get to keep them happy?

Any other special requirements?

FYI: I am looking into purchasing a 40 gallon breeder tank (36"Wx18"Dx16"H)

 

[Sploke]

Cories will do well on most sand and gravel substrates. I had some on fluorite, which seemed too sharp at first, but they didn't show any problems so I guess it wasn't an issue. You could get a nice group of 6 or 8 in a 40 breeder, lots of bottom area, depending on how many other fish you put in there. I had a few die at first, but the ones that survived the first few days in the tank have proved to be fairly hardy fish. They do better in groups, so I would plan on getting at least 4-5.

 

[davexstumpe]

i believe smooth gravel is the best for them, so they don't harm their whiskers. And 6+ would be best.

 

[MIKE D]

I have 4 julii cory in my 30 gal breeder/community tank with round gravel and they are doing awsome. so I say a min of 4

 

[jpappy789]

sand is best but smooth gravel works for me as well. plan on more than 4. the more the merrier. provide a lot of hiding places and as they feel more secure the will roam around the tank most of the day.

 

[mostlycichlids]

Sand is best But soft round gravel is fine. They like to dig for food particles so gravel is not the first choice.

 

[ct-death]

Keep species together in groups of 4+

Basically any substrate will do just fine. I think they do better in loose gravel, but sand and even corse gravel works too. See Avatar for my substrate. I have a lot of Cories and they all just push the surface gravel if that for food.

3" I think is standard aquarium fill for the bottom, they don't dig per say, just root around mostly, so you'll fine with just about anything.

They are truely a great fish! Enjoy!

 

[TKOS]

I am not sure why people think sand is less sharp than some gravels? Sand is fien pparticles but it can be very sharp edged as well. I mean they don't use it for sand paper for nothing.

Regardless pick a substarte you like. Cories will do fine in either sand or gravel. I agree that you should have at least 4 but really aim for 6 as a min. If there is a death then you will have a largish group still.

 

[mostlycichlids]

The reason sand is perferred over gravel is because it can cause problems, such as barbel errosion. It's to due bacterial infections from scraping them on jagged gravel. That being said I have kept a number of corys in sand and gravel and both have been full of energy and happy. The ones I have kept in sand substrate seemed to grow their barbels faster and were more healthy looking than the ones kept in gravel. BTW I keep some corys now that are in a gravel substrate.

 

[Sovran]

I have three albino corys - should I get more? The 3 Muskateers seem as happy as clams, but hey, there was a 4th Muskateer!