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I've always loved the appeal of a tank loaded with schools of small fish. I'd probably add a moonlight gourami or some other fish that is big, yet tame. This would drive the schoolers to school

I did have pictures linked in the Photo Booth, but the link went during the 'year zero' archiving business.

Hang on a mo, I'll point you at my album to the aquarium pics ...http://groups.msn.com/CaliLasseiasGiantPhotoCompendium/shoebox.msnw?action=ShowPhoto&PhotoID=315

Keep clicking on 'next picture' or whatever to see the detail shots. Oh, while you're browsing my album, you can see my other fish pictures, including the Pandas spawning from 2003, and if you like such things, my wacky art collection

Last edited by Calilasseia at 26-Nov-2004 09:24

Panda Catfish fan and keeper/breeder since Christmas 2002

Got pictures?

If anyone has pics of setups to spark my creativity I would appreciate seeing them.

Cory_Di, you could do what I did with my Pandas. Bogwood arches and similar artefacts covered in Java Moss and java Ferns. Judging by the way my Pandas use them as playpen-style climbing frames, your habrosus would probably do the same. Plus, I've found that having some sprigs of Hornwort sprouting from among the Java Ferns not only gives the smaller juvenile Pandas a 'leg up' as it were (although given the way mine could surf the powerhead bubbles, they didn't really need it!), but provides more play opportunities for them. It also has the benefit of giving the Otocinclus a leg up to the surface too when they decide they'd like it!

If you can get hold of a bogwood 'boot' like mine (I call it this because it is shaped like a worn out old boot!) with lots of holes in that provide intricate caves for them to explore, you'll also find that your habrosus like playing tag in the caves if they're anything like my Pandas. This is now covered in a lush green fur of Java Moss, and the Pandas love it!

Panda Catfish fan and keeper/breeder since Christmas 2002

i've wanted to try something similar in my tank for ages, but its too small...

you could make something similar to a 'staircase' only instead of blocking it in, leave it open so it would be a series of cave / over hangs, mix that up with some diff rocks & driftwood! this way the water would be able to flow through nicely, and you'd be able to grow more plants at different hights (foreground plants like half way up the tank kinda thing) plus if you had any slightly more shy fish then they could always hide in a cave / over hang.

think that could look fantastic, esp with a nice background maybe cork or something that you could grow some plants up / out of?

Hmmmm.... that is an idea.

Maybe make a caved, staircase. That is, one that would allow oxygenated water to flow through to keep bad gases from building. At the same time, shape it in such a way as to allow cories to "sniff" their way upward and take naps along the way

im just taking a stab in the dark here, but could you build a "staircase" out of those fake polystyrene rocks?? or they make those airated concrete type rocks, that are very light. Love the idea
(*wishing i cud afford a bigger tank*)

I really wanted a staircase of rocks in my 20 long. The only challenge in my mind is to not build something that would allow food to get trapped where it would be nearly impossible to get out. And, to not build something that could foul because oxygenated water can't filter through it. I've actually thought of having the staircase built into a corner that could be sealed off permanently with silicone on a 125. It would be cool to have a "molded "rock" that wound it's way up towards the surface. I want this specifically because I believe that cory's need stimulation. That is, the ability to "sift" and search for food. The more places they can stick those whiskers, the happier they are. I watch them exploring my mopani wood that is stacked. They hunt every crevasse.

Last edited by Cory_Di at 17-Nov-2004 21:33

[font color="#000080"]The idea of having a 125 community tank and having the stairs idea sounds real nice , it makes me wonder[/font]

For those of you who have successfully kept habrosus cories (below), what is the deepest tank in which you have kept them?

I'm hoping to move in the spring and if I do, I would probably get a 125 gallon or something of that nature. I want small, community fish and will end up transferring all of the inhabitants of my 20 long. I know they need to get up to the surface for gulps of air, but I'm thinking of creating steps, since these guys typically do explore leaves and decco at all levels.

Would it work? I'd like to have just one, big community tank. This would leave me with a 36 gal with two goldies and the community.

This is "Mini-Me". She has 5 companions now. You gotta like them barbels considering she didn't have any to speak of when I first got her. Tank she came from had high nitrates. This was about 4-6 weeks after I got her.

Cory_Di attached this image:



Last edited by Cory_Di at 15-Nov-2004 17:36[/font]

I've heard that the smaller Cories like shallower water, but the idea of a shelf is intriguing. I've seen plastic ones at the LFS which are fairly realistic, and one I remember was a two tiered effect. A couple of those, along with some larger swords with broad leaves, should make a nice home for those cute lil' guys (not that I like 'em or anything ).

Last edited by joe fishy at 16-Nov-2004 10:16

Very nice fish, I haven't seen them available in my area. I've become quite a fan of pygmy cories though, which are similar. Mine tend to enjoy resting on anubias leaves.

Like Cory Addict said, in the wild the fish are in water a few feet deep and the depth of a standard 125g is 22" so that shouldn't be a problem.

I think a 125g community is a fantastic idea. When talking about larger tanks many people tend to go with larger fish.


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There is water at the bottom of the ocean

You don't have go out of your way to create steps though, keep in mind that corys in the wild come from relatively deep water (at least a few feet).

Last edited by Cory Addict at 15-Nov-2004 22:56

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I'm not your neighbor, you Bakersfield trash.

That's kind of what i'm picturing. I'd like to find a creative way to make a natural staircase without adding too much weight to the tank.

I'm only dreaming right now. First, I have to move .

They shouldn't have a problem getting to the surface, but steps seem like a nice idea anyways. Maybe just use a stack of rocks, arranged sort of like stairs. (if that makes any sense:%))

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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 just love it when they "clean" the leaves and hornwort off, all the way up to the highest levels of the tank, and even swim upside down.

I'm really glad to hear they will do ok in a 125. I am hoping to find a longer tank that is shallower, but I may end up with a standard 125.

I had habrosus in my 125, and they seemed to have no trouble getting to the surface. Lively little guys, great fun!

-Molly
Visit shelldwellers.com!

Size relative to other cories in the tank:



Cory_Di attached this image: