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Hello,

A couple of weeks ago I moved six false-Jullis from my son's tank into my tank. The move had to be done because my son wasn't following my advice on cleaning and feeding and had a horrible ammonia level. His corrys were being VERY shy and hid most of the time

I had nine Panda corrys in the tank when I added the false-Jullis. At first everyone had a good time and the new corrys weren't hiding but out having fun. Both groups were schooling together. Some of the false-Jullis joined the male Pandas in 'glass cleaning'.

Now after a couple of weeks the false-Jullis are again hiding most of time and so are the Pandas, this is new for them. No more glass cleaning, no spawing dances. They only seem to come out to eat. Could the false-Jullis have had an affect on the Pandas that would change their behavir? Are the Pandas upset with the new tankmates?

Any and all information and advice is very welcome

Thanks

Eric

I find that Corydoras are usually pretty active for the first two or three weeks after being moved to a new tank. It may be their way of exploring a new locale, or if moved to a cleaner tank, they might just be happy about the better water quality. I myself find that false julii cories are fairly shy compared to other species, even when kept in shoals. It may be that yours have "taught" the pandas that they don't have to be active all the time. Another possibility is that the panda cories can sense stress (due to the reserved nature of the other species) and feel that they need to hide as well.

What were the pandas like before the addition of the other cories? What kind of cover is in your tank for the catfish, and how much of it is there? Lastly, what are your water parameters? Sometimes when fish suddenly become reclusive, it is because of a rise in pollutant levels. It would be great to rule that out in this case.

---

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

One other pertinent pbservation - Pandas can be somewhat more reticent than usual if they have few midwater and top-swimming fish above them. The presence of fishes happily swimming above them seems to reassure them that there is not likely to be death striking from the air in the form of predatory birds, which are likely to be a serious threat in the wild. I've noticed that since I lost my Lemons and most of my Cardinals, my Pandas are less active. Hopefully this should change once they get the new Cardinals as company!


Panda Catfish fan and keeper/breeder since Christmas 2002

I also think that the Julii are quite shy. Mine are really shy, compaired to the Bronze, Albino, Peppered & Schwartzi.


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No, I have a school of Harlequins and Gold White Clouds in the midlevel. But, still the formerly active Pandas are hiding in the plants with the false-Jullis. I really miss them out 'cleaning the glass' and surfing the power head. I wonder if this behavior is due to the other corrys or if it's temporary.

Thanks

Eric

Try the age old trick of a big water change followed by a large banquet of live food. If that doesn't liven up your Corys then I'd say they needed a shrink FAST.

Seriously, though, in my experience quite a few of the spotted Corys are shy and retiring, and have a habit of not coming out of their hiding places. Trouble is, it's entirely possible for them to pass this reticence on to others, which is probably what's happened to your Pandas.

The above trick - namely giving them the conditions that should excite them into spawning behaviour - could reverse this, and lead not only to your Pandas becoming nice and lively again, but possibly even to your Juliis learning that they're in a nice safe happy home and that they can frolic about and play. Sometimes they need the extra shove.


Panda Catfish fan and keeper/breeder since Christmas 2002

I'll give the big water change a try. It's hard to get live food but I do have fresh frozen food....I'll feed them some today.

But, in the back of my mind I'm feeling that I need to get rid of the false-Jullis so that my beloved Pandas can get back to their old ways

Eric

wow, now that is odd. i have Julii's, only 3 of them, mixed in with other corys for a total school of 7, lucky for me they all school together. anyway, the 3 juliis are the most out going and active fish i have, lol! they are so much fun to watch, they love parusing my tank, scrubbing the plastic plants with their barbels to snack on any trapped flake food that escaped the tetras.

even when i had my nippy barbs that were trying to eat the juliis alive they were still outgoing and quite humourus.

if you could supply us with information on your water peramiters,current and former tankmates, foliage and cave coverage, heck, even substrate it might help us figure out why the sudden shy behavior?

A big water change and gravel vac would help a LOT. Drop the nitrate levels in there and they should liven up enormously.

Plus, what's your lighting like? Only if your lighting is too bright, they might be shading their eyes. Corys tend to like shaded spots to gambol and frolic in - if you add some floating plants to the aquarium, this should help them feel more secure as well.


Panda Catfish fan and keeper/breeder since Christmas 2002