Tank Stocking With A Lot Of Cories

[Callum]

ok ive got a 48 (us gallon) with a tetratex ex 1200 running on it. it is 101 x 44 x 48cm bowfront .It isnt heavily planted but has quite a few fake plants in and a large piece of wood. I have sand in it and Here is my proposed stocking.

6 albino cory
6 c. duplicareus
6. sterbai cory
2 keyholes
2 honey gourami
3 platties
7 harlequins

will the cories turn over the sand? also what is the maximum amount of cories i could have theoretically i know that that is a fully stocked tank idea but i just want to know if only had coreis.

 

[Inchworm]

Hi Flame

I do see a few problems with your proposed stocking.

First, I do not recommend keeping corys in the same tank with any cichlids because cichlids tend to be aggressive. Even if they do not physically harm the corys, they are apt to cause them to become frightened and stressed. This could eventually cause them not to thrive and even to become sick.

Second, while the albinos (usually C. aeneus) and the C. duplicareus will do well together, the C. sterbai will do best in much warmer water. Water temperature is probably the single most important factor to consider when looking at tankmates for any corys. If the other fish on your list do not thrive in the same temperature range as they do, it would be best to consider others.

 

[Callum]

thankyou i will drop the keyholes and get 2 pairs of honey gourami. Also could you reccomend another shoal of cories for the tank also

GH 13
PH 7.6
Nitrate 7
Nitrit 0.2 (dont worry i wont get the fish till this vanishes)
ammonia 0

preferably not bronze cories i like panda's and peppered but ive heard these prefer softer water.

 

[Inchworm]

Hi Flame

C. paleatus (peppered corys) and most other corys, are quite adaptable to different water conditions as long as the change is done gradually. If you buy them locally, from a reliable lfs, most species should do fine.

C. melanistius, C. metae (bandit corys), C. melini, and C. robinae (flagtails) are just some of the attractive corys that should do well for you.

http/www.planetcatfish.com/catelog/speci...?species_id=311

http/www.planetcatfish.com/catelog/speci...p?species_id=24

http/www.planetcatfish.com/catelog/speci...?species_id=118

http/www.planetcatfish.com/catelog/speci...?species_id=253

 

[Callum]

thanks inchworm do you reckon i could get away with 18 cories also i found out the tank is a 55G (us) not a 48 but its a 1m tank will there be plenty of floorspace for the cories?

Also i was thinking

6 c. duplicareus
6 c. metae (these look like pandas but are they a lot hardier ive heard pandas can be pretty dam week
6 c. aneus albino
4 honey gourami
7 harlequin
5 platties

also have you ever kept c. duplicareus or known anyone that has, they must be quite rare never seen them in a fish shop before but i can get my hands on a few for cheap

 

[Inchworm]

Hi Flame

I got my C. duplicareus from someone at my aquarium society who was breeding them, but don't recall ever seeing them at the lfs. Mine were small when I got them, but they are growing up nicely. They are pretty fish and I think you'll like them.

I'm not familiar with the dimensions of tanks in the UK, but you can always take some of the fake plants out if you find they need more room. The total number of fish you can keep is usually related to the amount of nitrates you have in your tap water. If you live in an area where it's naturally high, it would be best to understock until you find out how hard it's going to be to control the nitrate level in the tank. You can always add more fish later.

 

[Callum]

i havnt tested my tap but in my 20g the highest ever was about 25 in my current its about 7

 

[jollysue]

Oh! Inchworm, that C. melanistius is adorable!

I always like smaller fish--more fish per gallon