What corys to go in a 4 gallon?

[cutechic]

I've heard that some people have corys and a male betta in the same tank. I am getting a betta for my 4 gallon and would like to know what type of cory to put in with him. I like the look of panda and skunk corys. Any suggestions?

 

[cutechic]

I forgot to add that I don't really want bronze corys, because I'm going to put some in my 10 gallon. I know they're smaller than the other corys though, so if you guys think they are the only type of cory that'll be happy in a 4 G tank, I'll get some of them.

Thanks in advance!

 

[cherrybarbbaby]

My bronze cory is a little over 3 inches! and he is not very skinny!

My julies however, are very small

With that said -I had one betta one bronze and 2 ottos in a 5 gal (I upgraded to 7 gal thanks to second hand tank).

 

[cutechic]

Would it be possible to have to skunk corys in the tank? They're my favourite cory.

 

[rollntider]

People will get tired of me posting my favorite , but try the pygmaues cory and the habrosus, or the hastatus. They look like all the other corys but are full grown from 1 to 1.5 inches.

 

[cutechic]

I already have some pygmaues corys, and unfortuantely my lfs doesn't have any other kind of dwarf cory. I think I'll just get some bronze corys. I can always transfer them to my 10 gallon later.

 

[cometcattle]

You could do pandas. Mine were small, but very timid in my 29g community. Just build a small cave with a piece of slate and a couple of rocks. I agree they are very cool looking corys.

 

[cutechic]

I would prefer pandas, but I'm just worried about overloading the bioload (2 pandas and a betta might be too much for a 4 gallon, even with frequent water changes)

I'm going to the lfs tonight, so I'll take a look at both the pandas and the bronze corys, and hopefully a voice inside my head will tell me at that time which to get!

I also need to see how much slate costs (there isn't any in nature around here). I'm getting flower pots and am planning to make a cave from pvc pipe, but I won't be able to until next week.

 

[cutechic]

Update: I went to the lfs and fell in love with the panda corys. The man at the lfs wouldn't sell them to me at first because I told him I wanted to put 2 pandas and a betta in a 4 gallon. I completely respect him for that, but when I told him I would do frequent water changes (bi-weekly water changes and gravel-cleaning once a week) he relented. They were $8 each, so I think I got ripped off. I don't even really mind since they're so cute!

I also bought a piece of slate for $0.75, but I don't have anythingto secure it onto the rocks I want to put it onto (to make a cave). Hmm. I think for now I'll just stick is in the gravel as a kind of wall which the corys can hide behind. Oh, and I bought a black background for the tank, too. It looks kind of gothic with the black gravel, black background, and the black hood, but the lighting brightens it up some.

Alright, enough of my ranting. I'm going to go introduce my new babies into their home

 

[cometcattle]

I don't think you got ripped off. I paid $7 each for mine. That was 4 years ago. When my 10g cycles, I want a pair. Good luck.

P.S.
Black gravel w/ black background is so cool. I bet your Pandas look great in there.

 

[Inchworm]

Hi cutechic

Congratulations on the new pandas!

You made a great choice. As much as I my bronze corys, they would get too big for that small tank. The pandas should do fine. IMHO, with the water changes you do, you could even have another one in there.

All you need to do to make a great cave for them is to put a regular rock in the tank and rest the slate on it to make a lean-to cave. They will be perfectly happy with it and depending on how you angle it, they will get the shade they need and you will be able to see them too.

 

[cutechic]

I don't think you got ripped off. I paid $7 each for mine. That was 4 years ago. When my 10g cycles, I want a pair. Good luck.

That makes me feel better (less guilty )

Black gravel w/ black background is so cool. I bet your Pandas look great in there.

I thought it would look ok, especially since I'm getting a white betta which should contrast nicely. But now I noticed I have scratched on the back side of the aquarium, which are pretty noticeable with the black background. I don't really want to spend money on a scratch-remover product, so I'm planning on getting some plants to cover them up.

Congratulations on the new pandas!

You made a great choice. As much as I my bronze corys, they would get too big for that small tank. The pandas should do fine. IMHO, with the water changes you do, you could even have another one in there.

Thanks I've had them less than a day and I already them to death! i'm a little worried because the pH is lower than it should be. They aren't active at all- just sitting on the gravel. Hopefully they aren't sick. One has his fins ripped a little, I noticed that after I brought them home.

All you need to do to make a great cave for them is to put a regular rock in the tank and rest the slate on it to make a lean-to cave. They will be perfectly happy with it and depending on how you angle it, they will get the shade they need and you will be able to see them too.

I'll make the cave now, and maybe it'll cheer them up! Tomorrow I'm going to get pvc pipe, so they should have another cave by the end of the weekend

 

[cherrybarbbaby]

sounds like you have got everything under control.

I'm soo jealous you got pandas! I them but i can't find them in my area.

My cories were really shy for a few days they didn't move much but now....
up down up down up down the sides of the tank they go.

When I first got my cories they were soooo still I though they were dead!

Your tank sounds nice as well.. A "Goth" fish tank.....they will be the coolest fish on the block 8)

Good luck!

 

[Inchworm]

... Hopefully they aren't sick. One has his fins ripped a little, I noticed that after I brought them home.

Hi cutechic

Just keep an eye on that. The fin could have been nipped by another fish at the lfs, but it might also be the start of finrot.

Since your water is very clean, it should heal nicely. If it doesn't or if it gets any worse, treat it immediately. This is one of the common problems that occur when you get new fish, since they often have to put up with less than good conditions while they are in transit to the lfs, and their immune systems are frequently weak.

 

[cutechic]

I added Stress Coat to the water, so the aloe vera should help some. The two pandas that I bought were the only ones in the tank at the lfs. They seem to get along, so I hope that doesn't mean my little guy has fin rot. His fins are blacker than my other panda's, but the whole fin is uniformly black, not just at the tips.

Uh oh, I just checked in my tank. The panda without the ripped fin, who used to be active, was shaking violently in the corner. I don't know if this is "shimmying", as I have never had a fish do this before. He's stopped now, but it looks like he was in pain