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I had recently posted a similar question to this in the "Getting Started" section. I have since changed my focus a bit and thought I would re-post it here to try to solicit some more input concerning the cory part of my aquarium as I have no personal experience with them.

I have a new (should be up and fully ready in another month or so) 20 Gallon Long (30" x 12" x 12" ) and it has been pre-determined that there will be a pair (1 male, 1 female) of red swordtails moving into it from another aquarium. I will probably add 1 or 2 more females to the tank after the transfer. I had originally been looking for ideas of similar species to add to the tank with them but then decided it may be best to leave the upper levels more open for them as they are pretty active swimmers. My compromise was to add a trio of cory's but my local selection is pretty limited.

Which of the following would be best suited (if any at all) for the situation described above: C. paleatus (peppered), C. aeneus (bronze) or C. trilineatus (false julii/3 line) ? A few of the LFS 's also stock the albinos although I don't particularly care for them.

Thanks!

All three are nice species with the aeneus being the hardiest and largest. I would definately go with 6 instead of three, they are much happier/active the more you have.

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I used to be Snow White, but I drifted.
~ Mae West

Trilineatus are my favorite of the three...I think they have very nice markings and I had mine for quite a long time. They survived a few rounds of ick, moving, and a very agressive tank-mate (unintended).

All cories definitely do better when kept in larger groups.

Good luck

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There is water at the bottom of the ocean

Size-wise, the Corydoras trilineatus would be happiest. C. aeneus and C. paleatus get pretty large, and adult females especially are fairly chunky fish. Though your tank is better than a twenty gallon high tank, it still doesn't have ideal space for the larger Corydoras species. Myself, I'd go with the trilineatus. Definitely try to keep more than three though.

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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."

Does the floor of my 20 Gallon offer enough "grazing" space for more than 3 corys? As they got older and larger, it seems like it might start to get a little crowded and they would be "tripping" (although I suppose one would have to actually have feet to trip) over each other. I'm not doubting anyone's advice, I'm just trying to make really sure that my corys will get off to a happy and healthy start. Additional info: I had planned to have 1 medium/large plant and 1 medium piece of driftwood near the center and several smaller plants toward the back and to the sides. I estimate probably 60% or so of the floor would be unobstructed.

They will be fine with that many cories in there. I have 6 C. Aeneus in a 20 long and they like to sleep in the corner on top of each other. They seam happy enough.

20 Gallon Long:
Aquaclear 300
2 Bolivian Rams, Mikrogeophagus altispinosus: Gumby and Pokey

Trilineatus are my favourite from the 3 that you mentioned & i wouldn't get only 3, but get as much as you can, because they like other Corydoras from the same species. The more you'll have, the more active & happy they'll be.


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Thanks for everyone's response. I think I'll try 5 smaller, younger cory's (trilineatus) to start and we'll see how it goes!