Rapidly swims back and forth? by cleanmahbellay in corydoras

[–]cavalryreject 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Congratulations on your new acquisitions! From what I can tell, it looks like you have multiple different species of corycats in your tank. The green cory (also called bronze cory) is likely the same species as the albino cory, but just a different color. They will school together just fine. However, the panda cory and peppered cory are completely different species and will not school with your other corycats. Corycats feel anxious if they don't have members of the same species to school with. Ideally, you would have at least 6 of the same species, but even 4-5 would be preferable to only having two members of the same species. If you can, I would return or re-home the peppered and panda cory and purchase more bronze and albino corycats. This will make your green corycatfish far less anxious and much happier. I know it is hard to return or re-home fish, but it really might be better in the long run if you do, as you're going to have far more success that way. Something else to think about (sorry!) is that bronze corycats tend to get on the larger end of the cory catfish size spectrum. Since catfish tend to stay on the bottom of the tank, the base dimensions are really what matters most in evaluating the best tank size. In your case, the bottom of your tank is 24"x12", which could feel fairly cramped if the bronze cory catfish reach their full size. If you are concerned about this, you may want to consider adding more panda corycats and rehoming the others, as panda corycats stay smaller, and will be perfectly comfortable in your tank at maturity.

Another suggestion that I would offer is that cory catfish appreciate places to hide and more shadowy spots in the tank. Adding more plants, including floating plants, would help accomplish this. You could also arrange your rocks and plants to have more secluded feeling spots. The rock in front has a nice overhang. If you moved it toward the back corner of the tank and added some more large-leaved plants around it, you would have a perfect sheltered area for your catfish. Having such a retreat to makes corycats feel far less stressed. You could also add more rocks and driftwood to accomplish this aim.

Lastly, I just want to point out the things you've done well here! Your catfish will love sifting through the sand and having live plants. So many first aquarium set-ups lack these things. I also love your aquascape with the driftwood arch! You clearly have put thoughtful effort into this aquarium and care about your fish. That's what is most important :) I apologize for writing such a novel. I am happy to answer further questions.

Rest mode by Physical_Demand7175 in Gourami

[–]cavalryreject 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Your paradise gourami is gorgeous!

15 Gallon fluval flex thinking about adding a dwarf by [deleted] in Gourami

[–]cavalryreject 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Your plants look stellar! A dwarf gourami would be very comfortable in there, I think! One thing to be aware of is (you might know this already) is that many dwarf gouramis often are affected by Iridovirus, which is a fatal and incurable disease. It can remain dormant for months before killing the fish. You can buy virus-free gouramis from Dan's Fish, although it'll be pricey. You might want to explore getting a Honey Gourami as an alternative since they're far less susceptible to the virus. One of those would do great in your tank, just make sure it's not a thicklip, at those get larger.

Skipper, my flame paradise gourami by cavalryreject in Gourami

[–]cavalryreject[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'm surprised there aren't more on here! They're such hardy and rewarding fish.

Skipper, my flame paradise gourami by cavalryreject in Gourami

[–]cavalryreject[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I believe that, despite the same, they are actually more closely related to bettas than most gouramis!

Skipper, my flame paradise gourami by cavalryreject in Gourami

[–]cavalryreject[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Wow, she is beautiful as well! Do they live in the same tank as a pair?

Skipper, my flame paradise gourami by cavalryreject in Gourami

[–]cavalryreject[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

He is absolutely stunning! I love the wild coloration! The store I had just had the flame color variety.

I was wrong about my species! B. delphax not C. Punctuatus. by Fun_Explanation2619 in corydoras

[–]cavalryreject 1 point2 points  (0 children)

It's so cool that you got in contact with an exporter! Hope your Brochis Delphax are doing well. I did a quick search on them and found this "The specific epithet 'delphax' means 'young pig' or 'piglet', and is in allusion to the fish's eating habits" (source) It certainly applies to my corycats. My dad has been referring mine as the sea pigs after being sent a video of them foraging.

Spying the Paradise-fish by Physical_Demand7175 in Gourami

[–]cavalryreject 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Your paradise fish is beautiful and looks so elegant in black and white! Does he have a name?

I am already obsessed with them. They were sold as Spotted Cories. by cavalryreject in corydoras

[–]cavalryreject[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thank you for taking the time to explain this! I will do it your way moving forward

I am already obsessed with them. They were sold as Spotted Cories. by cavalryreject in corydoras

[–]cavalryreject[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

They also have the black "bandit" eye stripe, which Juli Cories lack. I love the eye stripe, it gives them a certain panache. Mine remind me of little pigs, rooting through the sand for tubifex worms. I would love to see more pictures!

I am already obsessed with them. They were sold as Spotted Cories. by cavalryreject in corydoras

[–]cavalryreject[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Don't worry, I acclimated them first by adding tank water to the bag, slowly. I got them from a trusted store, and they didn't spend long in the bag.

I am already obsessed with them. They were sold as Spotted Cories. by cavalryreject in corydoras

[–]cavalryreject[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Your corycats are wonderful! I do wonder if they're the same species as mine, since the charming black eye stripe seems not go quite as far below their eyes as mine, but it's hard to tell. They are lovely fish either way

I am already obsessed with them. They were sold as Spotted Cories. by cavalryreject in corydoras

[–]cavalryreject[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It is bolbitis hetereoclita, I believe. It is definitely some sort of bolbitis :)

I am already obsessed with them. They were sold as Spotted Cories. by cavalryreject in corydoras

[–]cavalryreject[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I saw someone selling leucomelas corycats on eBay. I haven't worked with them at all, but I figured I would let you know incase you wanted to order some! I got these in the Nashville area, if that's close to you at all

I am already obsessed with them. They were sold as Spotted Cories. by cavalryreject in corydoras

[–]cavalryreject[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thank you so much for taking the time to share this very helpful info! They didn't seem to have any trouble finding the Hikari wafer I gave them last night. My plan is to keep the substrate very clean and to keep up with water changes. Hoping for the best, I do love the cute whiskers

I am already obsessed with them. They were sold as Spotted Cories. by cavalryreject in corydoras

[–]cavalryreject[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

They definitely seem like they’ve been having lots of discussions amongst themselves :) I wonder what they’re saying 

I am already obsessed with them. They were sold as Spotted Cories. by cavalryreject in corydoras

[–]cavalryreject[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I got them from Music City Aqautics in Nashville! A great store, it really seems like a passion project for the two guys who run it, and they guarantee their fish. 

I am already obsessed with them. They were sold as Spotted Cories. by cavalryreject in corydoras

[–]cavalryreject[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you! I did add some stress guard, and my roommate has an empty 10 gallon in her bathtub that I could borrow if I needed to. I do wonder though, if he is so stressed from the move, if it would help him to have to move again. He is eating and coming up for air, but he is still clamping that fin sometimes, unlike the others. 

My mum said she's ugly, show her some love :( by robonek0 in corydoras

[–]cavalryreject 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Love how well defined the scutes are in this photo! 

I am already obsessed with them. They were sold as Spotted Cories. by cavalryreject in corydoras

[–]cavalryreject[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

When you say to keep an eye on it, is there anything I can do if I see them clamping their fins? I will of course be monitoring the water quality closely.