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I have a rather large problem finding any store that constantly has Panda Cories. Unfortunately my only real options are Petco, Petsmart, etc. Around the area I live there are pretty much no stores that just specialize in fish. So, all I have are these big chain stores. (Whether or not that is a good thing, I don't know.)

Petco is the only pet/fish store around here that even has the Panda Cories right now. While I was in the store the other day I noticed that there were only three in the tank. (I definitely plan on getting at least 6 for my 20g tank.) I asked the lady in the fish department how likely it would be that I could get 6 at the same time. She said that the Pandas are a quick seller and they normally come and go very quickly. (Which is why there were only 3 left at the time I was in there.)

However, here is the question I pose to you all... The lady said that my best bet of getting 6 at one time is to do a special order through them and reserve the Cories along with the fish orders that the store itself places. Is this really a good thing to do?

I don't want to just buy three out of the tank and then end up not coming across any others for a while (and the three be unhappy). However, at the same time I don't know how really safe it is to order the Cories and then get them right after being shipped to the store...

I hope all of that makes sense and I hope that someone here can give me some advice or at least offer an opinion. Thanks!

I'm not sure if there is one right answer to this question. It is definitely safer to let the cories adjust to a PetCo tank after shipping. If you reserve cories, maybe they will hold them for a couple days for you.

Another option is to go to the AZ Gardens website. Shipping is expensive, but the cories are younger and cheaper.

If it were me, I'd go ahead and buy the three. I'd rather them be unhappy in my tank with better care than unhappy at PetCo.

I think it all depends on one factor...whether or not you have a QT tank.

Typically I don't trust any chain stores, but it honestly depends on the management; some are better than others.

I would special order the group of 6, and prolly order 8 incase a couple don't make it. I'd then QT them for a minimum of two weeks, preferably longer though, before adding them into your main display.

*shrugs*

Dunno if this answered your question. :%) HTH

-Formerly known as the Ferretfish

Unfortunately I do not have a QT tank. My living arrangements really do not allow me to have more than my 20g tank.

I think I will talk to the people at Petco and see if they will be able to hold them for a couple days so that I don't just get the straight out of the shipping truck.

If that isn't an option, I could find out when they plan on getting more in. If I know the day they will recieve more, I could go ahead and get the three that are left in the one tank now and then just pick up the others whenever they come in. I agree that they would probably be happier as three in my tank than as three in the Petco tank. (Plus, that helps cut out the chance that only one of them will be left alone while the others are sold or something like that.)

I figured that getting the straight out of the shipping truck might not be the best thing, but I definitely appreciate you guys giving your opinions.

I just got a pair of Cherry Barbs to get my tank through the cycling process, so I won't be ready for the Pandas for a little while yet. So, perhaps when I am ready there may be 6 available.

Thanks again guys!

Go get them, but take LOTS of time acclimatising them. And to help with the acclimatisation, have some live food handy to perk them up. Spend a good hour or so gradually acclimatising them to your aquarium water, then let them settle, and once they show signs of moving about, drop in live Bloodworm if you can. This should help you have happy Pandas. Later on, add some more Panda playmates until you have 6 or 8, and you'll never need a television set ever again

Panda Catfish fan and keeper/breeder since Christmas 2002