How Large A Surface Area Would 6 Banded Kuhli And 5 Corys Need?

[Curiosity101]

I currently have 2 adult corys (Sterba and Julii) and 1 Juvenile (Peppered). I also own 6 Juvenile Kuhli's (6-7cm).

The tanks base is 80cm x 35cm so....2.8 square metres. I wanted to get an additional 2 corys ( so I have 2 pairs of the same species and then 1 of one species)

But thinking about it, as the Kuhli's grow will there even be enough room for the fish already on the base of the tank?

Everyone is happy at the moment, the catfish don't seem to mind they aren't the same species as they stick together and I see no bickering at al between catfish and Kuhli loach.

There are plenty of plants...a large bit of bogwood with plenty of hiding places, a bridge, a piece of piping, a rock with a cave within and another rock. Plus the substrate is sand so plenty of burying space. So plenty of ways to get away from eachother.
But I'm thinking to the future...opinions of people with a bit more knowledge than myself would be great.

I'm sure there is a calculator I could use but I would prefer the experience of people who have maybe used a calculator as a guide and know how accurate it is or just generally have a good idea.

There are no other bottom dwellers other than the 6 Kuhli and 3 Catfish.

 

[Inchworm]

Hi Curiosity101

Welcome to the forum!

How many gallons of water does your tank hold?

 

[Curiosity101]

Thank you

It's 27.5 gallons (It's a Juwel 125 if you were wondering).

I'm within my stocking capacity even if I do go ahead with the addition. Tank mates currently are (5 neons, 4 gold barbs and 2 Bolivian Rams )

I was purely wondering if that sounded a bit too crowded for the bottom of the tank because obviously I don't want to stress any of my lil guys out.
And also even if I didn't get any additional catfish I'm still unsure if they will all be pushed for space as the Kuhli grow?

I'd rather catch the problem before it became a problem, but stupidly didn't think it through before buying all the loach.

 

[JustKia]

As far as floor space goes I have 6 Kuhlis, 3 adult albino corys, 3 adult peppered corys and 2 juvenile peppered corys and they have ample floor space. My community tank is a Rio 125L and has the same dimensions as yours.
Kuhlis like to play "pile on" if there is enough of them. Corys also are very sociable and spend time together (can be like a coffee morning at the senior residents assoc sometimes LOL)

 

[loraxchick]

Corys also are very sociable and spend time together (can be like a coffee morning at the senior residents assoc sometimes LOL)


LOLOLOLLLLLL!!!

 

[Inchworm]

Hi Curiosity101

Corys and kuhlis get along well together, and don't seem to mind sharing the same space. You should have no trouble at all keeping them together. However, they are both fast swimmers who like to have room to move around freely. In addition to just picking on the ground, they will swim as a school, across the length of a tank. If you have too many plants or other items on the bottom, and they can't do this, they will be crowded in that respect.

 

[Curiosity101]

Thanks everyone for your replies. I'll take all of that into account!
I'll try and provide enough cover but also 'paths' that aren't neccesarily visible head on. (So it looks really well planted and natural from my view)
But from a fish eye view they'll clearly be able to swim 'lengths' if they want.

You've all made my day by the way. I was really sad at the thought of losing some Kuhli's. They're so funny to watch