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SubscribeA Couple Cory Questions
Beefshank
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male usa
Hi all! I'm new here, so let me start by saying the site is great! I've already read a lot of useful info. I'm so glad I found it.

Heres my story [followed by my question ] I have 1 emerald cory. He lived in a 5 gallon tank with a Betta. They got along great, but then the betta passed away. I got a new betta, and after several months, it became apparent that the new betta was picking on the cory. I won't bore you with the details (any more) but the little cory got really stressed, so I took him out and put him in a 10 gallon tank by himself last week. The tank was set up just for him, but I added a handfull of the other tanks gravel, and the foam media out of the filter to seed the tank. He is doing better, but still mostly just hides under a decoration, and rarely swims around (I add sinking food for him).

In a couple of months, I plan to get a 50ish gallon tank, and he will live in it, hopefully as part of a school.

Now, my questions:

Knowing that the 50gal tank is coming, should I maybe add a couple more emerald cats in with him now? Will an old cat school up with new ones? Will it help him de-stress?

If so, should I wait for the tank to cycle? Will a 10 gallon tank cycles with just 1 little ( 1-1/2 inch) catfish? Or would three actually be better knowing that I seeded the tank?

Any advice or ideas would be greatly appreciated.

thanks alot!

-Dennis
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 12:04Profile PM Edit Report 
bensaf
 
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male ireland
Hi and welcome aboard. You'll find the people here will be glad to help, especially when it comes to Cories !

Yes you can add a few more cories to the 10g. Actually you could keep a school of 6 in there until the 50 is ready. The old cat will be more then happy to school with new ones, he's probably praying for it !Yes, it will most certainly de-stress him.

As for the cycling, seeing as it's seeded I think 3 would be ok, and then complete the school when the cycle is finished. If nothing else the Cory is probably already stressed from being alone and then the additional stress of the cycling may prove too much, by adding some pals at least you are reducing one form of stress.

50gal is nice size tank, any ideas yet what you are going to put in ?


Some days you're the pigeon and some days you're the statue.

Remember that age and treachery will always triumph over youth and ability.
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 12:04Profile PM Edit Report 
Beefshank
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male usa
Hi, and thanks for the quick reply!

I was hoping that would be the answer

I want very much to make him a happy fish again. I will hopefully have time to pick a couple more up tomorrow. And I was planning on having 6 in the bigger tank, but I suppose I could have them all in the 10 gallon after the cycle. Cool!

As for what else is going into the 50 gal, I only have a rough idea. I want a peaceful community tank, and I know I like the idea of schools of little fish more than several bigger fish. I know I'd like a school of Neon tetras, or...is it "cardinal" tetras that have the longer red stripe? Anyway, one of those schools. That and the school of corys is all I am "planning".

I like dwarf guramies(sp?), guppies, and glass fish (non-painted of course ) I think these can go together but I haven't really researched it much yet. I, of course will before I buy anything.

Oh, and a big fat Oscar!!!......just kidding.

-Dennis

[span class="edited"][Edited by Beefshank 2004-07-07 21:05][/span]
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 12:04Profile PM Edit Report 
jasonpisani
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male malta
You can get him more friends in that 10gal. tank. Maybe 3 more & after a few weeks, you can add another 2. You'll see the difference in the Corydoras, when they are in schools. They'll be more active & show you that they're really happy. Just don't leave him on his own.

In the 50gal. you can have 2 large schools of Tetra + the Corydoras. South American style.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/corydoras/
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http://www.maltaaquarist.com
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 12:04Profile MSN PM Edit Report 
Beefshank
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Thanks!

I didn't want to risk over-crowding a new tank, so I just bought 2 more emeralds. The are still floating in the bag, so I don't really have much else to report yet.

About 15 minutes to go....
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 12:04Profile PM Edit Report 
Beefshank
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Ok, they're in. One of the new ones started hanging around with mine right away. The other stayed off on his own. So far, he sometimes stays with them, and sometimes not. But of course, he could need time to adjust. But my original one (his name is Buster, because he's like a dust buster) is swimming with his new friend and is already more active than I have seen him in months (except when he is freaking out scared of course).

So far, I'm very happy.

-Dennis
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 12:04Profile PM Edit Report 
bensaf
 
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male ireland
Good news !. Wait until you get 6 or more. Non stop action , well except when one of them decides to sunbathe on top of one of your plants


Some days you're the pigeon and some days you're the statue.

Remember that age and treachery will always triumph over youth and ability.
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 12:04Profile PM Edit Report 
Calilasseia
 
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Beefshank, it's nice to hear you're being careful and adding the fish incrementally so as not to overload the biofilter. Good start.

Let's see, 50 gallons? Yes, definitely go for Cardinals. Nice decent sized shoal of 12 obtained in batches of 6 once the Corys are settled in. And, you could then add something like Rosy Tetras if you can find them, which you will ADORE if you see them 'live'! Again, another group of 12.

Oh, and I'd also recommend Otocinclus as your algae eaters because they stay small, and live in the wild with Corys and Tetras. You could easily put 6 in alongside your Corys, and have fun watching the Corys play tag with them like my Pandas do!

Panda Catfish fan and keeper/breeder since Christmas 2002
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 12:04Profile Homepage PM Edit Report 
Jubs
 
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male usa us-washington
All start by saying welcome to FP and that emerald cories aren't technically a "cory" that are in the same family of Callichthyidae but they are actually Brochis Splendens the main differences are the dorsal fin ray count and somewhat the body shape of the Bronchis from the Corydoras. They are great fish though they are always on the move in my tanks looking for food. They will doing much better if a group. As with all Callichythydae. good luck and let us know if there is anything else you need help with as well
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 12:04Profile PM Edit Report 
Alkyne
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male canada
Almost all callichthyidae- barbatus and a couple others should not be kept in groups.
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 12:04Profile PM Edit Report 
Cichlid Kid
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male usa
Calilasseia,and Beefshanks i wouldnt go getting an otto they are so delicate it is not worth is. calilasseia i replied to or you replied to one of my topics about ottos and told my that if they make it for the 1 week they should live and mine lived for 2 1/2 weeks. it wouldnt find or eat the algea. Why is this? I only have algea on the right side of my tank but it is plentiful and i want it cleaned up. i want another plecostomus but am in fear it will die as one of my others did or it will not find the allgea, or it will find the algea and will eat it up to quick and end up starving. any suggestions? i cant get a snail because i have salt in the water.
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 12:04Profile AIM PM Edit Report 
Alkyne
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male canada
Cichlid Kid-htat might be the problem right there-the salt. Many catfish do not tolerate salt well at all, depending on the amount you use that might be the very cause of the deaths.
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 12:04Profile PM Edit Report 
Calilasseia
 
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There's your problem Cichlid Kid. Salt plus Otocinclus equals dead Otocinclus. They will NOT tolerate salt at all. Remember they're Amazonian natives and like soft, slightly acidic water with a low mineral content. Add salt to their water, even a small amount, and you'll effectively pickle them

Panda Catfish fan and keeper/breeder since Christmas 2002
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 12:04Profile Homepage PM Edit Report 
Beefshank
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male usa
Ok, it's been several days now with 3 catfish, and they seem pretty happy. Sometimes Buster (the original fish) gets startled by movement in he room, and the new fish take off with him, but he certainly swims around the tank al lot more than before. I think the cycle is going well, amonia is gone, nitrites are about .75ppm, and nitrates are about 30. I have been reading all the suggestions on fish for the bigger tank, and appreciate all the advice. I'm sure as I get closer to getting it, I will have many more questions.

thanks again, and I'll keep you informed about the cats!

-Dennis
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 12:04Profile PM Edit Report 
LEE_WILMOT_706
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male uk
My black finned corys swim away when you go to close to the tank. I think that they are so cool when they all swim around together. I just like to say good luck with your fish !!

Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 12:04Profile PM Edit Report 
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