Doing some reading on small cory catfish - Aquarium Advice

**An t-iasg** · 09-12-2003, 01:21 PM

I was considering getting one small cory catfish for each of my bettas. They would be algae eaters and company for the betta, hopefully.

My [acronym:ef9c860696="Local Fish Store"]lfs[/acronym:ef9c860696] (not Petsmart or Petco) said that would be ok, but is it?? This is what I read: For one thing, the corys like water that's 72-76 degrees, and my water is 82 degrees. The cories do best in schools of around 6, and get shy or skittish when alone. They also do best with a sand substrate so their barbells aren't harmed. I have Estes brand gravel in my tank. It's not sharp, but it's not round and smooth either, and it may not be the best thing for the cory. I read about the cories at http://www.corydorasworld.com, and I clicked on either albino cories or bronze cories.

Yes, I strayed from this site...I'm sorry...It won't happen again!

Anyway, they are cute little fish and I'm sorry it seems like they won't work out in my tank, but I don't want them or my bettas to be unhappy.

On the corydoras world site, under general articles, there is a really cute poem. Check it out if you're over there.

lmw80 · 09-12-2003, 02:15 PM

Corys are not algae eaters. They will eat an algae tab if dropped into the tank, but they are not likea pleco or another classified "algae eater". They are bottom feeders, and while they do eat leftover food, they will usually not eat rotten or decompsing food.

Corys are schooling fish, but also do well in pairs. I would not recommened putting only one cory in a tank. He will be shy and reserved and not really happy.

What size tanks do you have for your bettas? Bronze/albino corys get to be as large as 4" to 4.5". If you do get corys, make sure you get the species that will best fit in yout tank. There will be no problem as far as compatibilty goes.

Substrate. Corys to prefer sand, however, gravel..not too big or sharp/pointy is ideal for them as well.

The temperature should not be a problem. Some people keep their community tanks around 82 degrees to ward off ich.

Phew, I think that's everything, lol

TankGirl · 09-12-2003, 02:48 PM

If it is algae that you want to control, get two or three otocinclus cats, as they stay very small.

I think the cories would be fine with your gravel and with your temp, but it is very true about them being lonely. You do need to feed them food that will sink. There are some pygmy cories but if we are talking 2-3 gallons here then you might be pushing it to have more than 2, and they are definitely happier with more of them.

Cherry Barb · 09-13-2003, 12:01 AM

Antiasg, I personally keep corys myself and love every one of them, so I'm gonna give the best advice I think I can. I would not put corys and bettas together.

First, as said above, corys are not algae eaters. Mine do not eat algae pellets either. (I have [acronym:14132c92f6="Siamese Algae Eater"]SAE[/acronym:14132c92f6] who do, but corys do not.) They eat sinking shrimp pellets and that sort of food.

Second, they are very skittish and I have a school of 5 in my 20 [acronym:14132c92f6="Gallon"]gal[/acronym:14132c92f6] tank. They hide alot during the day. So, hiding places for corys are essential.

Plus, bettas are known to be fin nippers and several species of corys have somewhat longish fins. I think your betta would nip like crazy.

Depending on the size of your tank and the temperament of your betta, I would look into the otos or even the "true" Siamese Algae Eater. They are docile, but get up to about 6" long.

Corys are wonderful fish to have, mine are characters I guarantee ya, but i would look into something else in your case.

[acronym:14132c92f6="Hope this helps (or) Happy to help"]HTH[/acronym:14132c92f6]

**An t-iasg** · 09-13-2003, 01:57 AM

Thanks everyone,
I don't think I will get cories, at least not for the betta tank.

I just want some other fish, but I will have to be patient until we are ready to start another tank. These bettas are my first fish ever and they are so fun to have. You really do fall in love with them!

Sorry about thinking the cories are algae eaters! The [acronym:a5514b9682="Local Fish Store"]lfs[/acronym:a5514b9682] guy said they would eat algae pellets, so I thought they would eat algae.

If I get anything else for the betta tank, I think it will be a ghost shrimp, after I get some real plants, and then see how much algae forms.

vega · 09-13-2003, 07:00 AM

Get oto(arnold's sucker fish) or ghost shrimp. Cory is not a algea eater. ALso careful on pigmy cory as they are not a bottom feeder actually and they need a school.

tkos · 09-13-2003, 08:56 AM

My cories love to get the occasional algaea tablet. I rotate shrimp, complete and algae tablets every 3 days. At first they didn't want them but then they grew to love them.

Of course that doesn't mean they will eat the algae off your plants. So I too would suggest that otto cats are the way to go, of course they tend to be rather prone to dieing so careful with them.

If you have at least a 10 gallon tank then a school of cories and a betta would be fine. At least it worked fine for me. Occasioanlly the betta would chase the cories around but never was there a fight or any fin nipping. Even on my blind cory.

09-12-2003, 02:15 PM	#2
lmw80 Aquarium Advice Addict Moderator Emeritus Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Bristol, Pa Posts: 4,805 Images: 40	Corys are not algae eaters. They will eat an algae tab if dropped into the tank, but they are not likea pleco or another classified "algae eater". They are bottom feeders, and while they do eat leftover food, they will usually not eat rotten or decompsing food. Corys are schooling fish, but also do well in pairs. I would not recommened putting only one cory in a tank. He will be shy and reserved and not really happy. What size tanks do you have for your bettas? Bronze/albino corys get to be as large as 4" to 4.5". If you do get corys, make sure you get the species that will best fit in yout tank. There will be no problem as far as compatibilty goes. Substrate. Corys to prefer sand, however, gravel..not too big or sharp/pointy is ideal for them as well. The temperature should not be a problem. Some people keep their community tanks around 82 degrees to ward off ich. Phew, I think that's everything, lol __________________ -Lori Join the Eastern PA/Greater Philadelphia Forum! Click here: http://www.aquariumadvice.com/groupcp.php?g=7825 Aquariums are like jello - there's always room for more.

09-12-2003, 02:48 PM	#3
TankGirl Aquarium Advice Addict Moderator Emeritus Join Date: May 2003 Location: Richmond VA Posts: 8,279 Images: 16	If it is algae that you want to control, get two or three otocinclus cats, as they stay very small. I think the cories would be fine with your gravel and with your temp, but it is very true about them being lonely. You do need to feed them food that will sink. There are some pygmy cories but if we are talking 2-3 gallons here then you might be pushing it to have more than 2, and they are definitely happier with more of them. __________________ TG Central Virginians click here and join the Regional Forum! View My Gallery Here

09-13-2003, 12:01 AM	#4
Cherry Barb Aquarium Advice Activist Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Kentucky Posts: 171 Images: 12	Antiasg, I personally keep corys myself and love every one of them, so I'm gonna give the best advice I think I can. I would not put corys and bettas together. First, as said above, corys are not algae eaters. Mine do not eat algae pellets either. (I have [acronym:14132c92f6="Siamese Algae Eater"]SAE[/acronym:14132c92f6] who do, but corys do not.) They eat sinking shrimp pellets and that sort of food. Second, they are very skittish and I have a school of 5 in my 20 [acronym:14132c92f6="Gallon"]gal[/acronym:14132c92f6] tank. They hide alot during the day. So, hiding places for corys are essential. Plus, bettas are known to be fin nippers and several species of corys have somewhat longish fins. I think your betta would nip like crazy. Depending on the size of your tank and the temperament of your betta, I would look into the otos or even the "true" Siamese Algae Eater. They are docile, but get up to about 6" long. Corys are wonderful fish to have, mine are characters I guarantee ya, but i would look into something else in your case. [acronym:14132c92f6="Hope this helps (or) Happy to help"]HTH[/acronym:14132c92f6] __________________ To the world, you may be one person, but to one person, you may be the world.

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09-13-2003, 07:00 AM	#6
vega Aquarium Advice FINatic Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Malaysia Posts: 575 Images: 6	Get oto(arnold's sucker fish) or ghost shrimp. Cory is not a algea eater. ALso careful on pigmy cory as they are not a bottom feeder actually and they need a school.

09-13-2003, 08:56 AM	#7
tkos Aquarium Advice Addict Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Canada Posts: 1,423	My cories love to get the occasional algaea tablet. I rotate shrimp, complete and algae tablets every 3 days. At first they didn't want them but then they grew to love them. Of course that doesn't mean they will eat the algae off your plants. So I too would suggest that otto cats are the way to go, of course they tend to be rather prone to dieing so careful with them. If you have at least a 10 gallon tank then a school of cories and a betta would be fine. At least it worked fine for me. Occasioanlly the betta would chase the cories around but never was there a fight or any fin nipping. Even on my blind cory.