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I have a 20 gallon high with a Penguin 200 on it. It seems like the Lemons and Cories are getting swept around a little bit on that side of the tank but are fine on the other end.

I don’t think your filter is too strong; it is capable of filtering the water 10 times per hour, which is a pretty good rate. Mine is 300 Gallons per hour for a 29G, so basically the same flow rate.

Do your Lemons and Cories like to swim in the current or do they only hang out at the other side of the tank? If they swim in it then it is definitely ok.

Personally, I believe both fish like some current to play in.

Ingo

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Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club

Yeah they actually prefer the side that the filter in on.

My filter is turned up nearly all the way, and my lemon tetras don't mind the current at all. I also used to have a powerhead running on the tank, and the lemons simply avoided the really strong current and hung out where it was milder. Lemon tetras are fast little fish, and can take more current than you think. As long as they have a place to go where they can rest without being swept away, they're fine.

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And when he gets to Heaven, to Saint Peter he will tell: "One more Marine reporting, Sir! I've served my time in Hell."

I also think that the Corydoras & Lemon's like the current & are quite capable to swim through it.


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My Lemons take fairly strong currents in their stride. And as for the Pandas, well they're just nuts ... they'll surf the powerhead bubbles for the sheer fun of it.

The majority of 'typical' aquarium Characins (Lemons, Rosies, Rummy Noses, that general grouping of small fishes) will happily accept fairly strong currents because in the wild, they live in flowing rivers. Okay, not seething rapids, but then most people don't turn their filters up to jacuzzi levels

I suspect Neons and Cardinals may be a slight exception to this, preferring milder currents, although my Cardinals have no problems alongside the Lemons with my fairly beefy powerhead driving the undergravel filter. In any case, the output is directed to produce maximum flow at the actual water surface (where gas exchange will be most efficient) and they tend to occupy the lower reaches of the aquarium where the current has been moderated by repeated encounters with plants, bits of bogwood etc.

Personal experience suggests, however, that some Pencil Fishes might prefer more mellow currents. My Beckford's Pencils tend to prefer those parts of the aquarium away from the powerhead flow, and experience a struggle swimming against the current if it's too strong. Other than that, however, the majority of small aquarium Characins can not only live with a decent current, but may appreciate it because it not only replicates their wild ancestral home better, but also increases gas exchange and keeps the water nicely oxygenated. Which, of course, is something that fairly active shoaling fishes need.

Hope this helps


Panda Catfish fan and keeper/breeder since Christmas 2002

Thanks all.

I must say I enjoy watching my green hi-finned and pandy cories more than the lemons.