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October 11th, 2009
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| | Fish Helper
| How many cories?
I have a planted 10 gallon tank with a single male swordtail that I've been hoping to add cories to, and my LFS just got in a shipment of corydoras. I was wondering if it would be better to get two or three of the little guys. I was planning on two, but if three will fit comfortably, then I'll go for three of them. Such cute, zippy little guys ^^ | 
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October 11th, 2009
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| | Fish Keeper
| I know that plenty of people have only one or two corys, but I have heard that schooling fish such as corys are happier in groups of 3 or more. I have 5 corys (and an unknown number of cory fry) in my 10g and they're a very happy little group. I'm no expert, but from what I've learned on here regarding stocking numbers, I see no problem with 3 corys and a single swordtail in a 10g. They are cute little dudes, aren't they? Hopefully you'll get more knowledgeable advice than mine yet  | |
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October 12th, 2009
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| | Fish Master
| I know people do it, and I'm not saying it's wrong, but IMO a 10 gallon is not suitable for corys, excepy maybe dwarf corys. Operating from the previous disclaimer - a school of 2 or 3 in insufficient for them to feel secure and do normal cory things. Sure you can keep 2 or 3 - they won't die from being in too small a school - but they will just lie around most the time and won't be the zippy fish you bought at the store.
Most schooling fish do best in groups of at least 6. Some need even more to begin acting like a school. With corys - the more the better.
Last edited by Jaysee; October 12th, 2009 at 12:36 AM.
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October 12th, 2009
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| | Fish Keeper
| I apologise if my info is wrong. If Corys need more room, then far be it from me to disagree with that. Mine seem pretty happy ad zippy, and have been spawning which I thought may be an indication that they were comfortable, but I don't doubt they'd enjoy more space.
Last edited by scatty; October 12th, 2009 at 04:25 AM.
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October 12th, 2009
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| | Moderator
| Hello Zoreta.  Although I'm sure the Cory's would enjoy a larger space I think 2 or 3 would be fine in your 10g. A good suggestion for the Dwarf Cory if you can find them. I've had 1 Cory all by himself for many years until recently in my big tank and he has been fine. I just added 3 more.
Keep us posted and I hope you can share some photos with us sometime.
Take care!
Ken  | |
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October 12th, 2009
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| | Fish Master
| I am one who can agree to disagree, but everything I've ever read or heard says 5-6 or more, including this website. | |
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October 14th, 2009
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| | Fish Keeper
| 5-6 is ideal, but they can be happy in groups of three. That I would say is the minimum. And 3 dwarf cories in a ten gallon should be fine. However, I will say that cories are nocturnal, and so they do sit around the greater portion of the day. But as long as they come out to eat and swim around they are perfectly healthy. If they are zipping around 24/7, it is a sign of stress.
Good luck with your cories, they're great little fish! | |
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October 14th, 2009
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| | Fish Master
| Ideal is certainly well more than 5-6. Ideal is as many as possible - same with every schooling fish. Anyone who keeps them in larger numbers will agree.
Can someone show me a source that says corys need a minimum of 3?
Dwarf corys ESPECIALLY need larger numbers in order to thrive.
Corys aren't nocturnal. Many catfish species are indeed nocturnal, but corys are not among them. | |
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October 14th, 2009
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| | Moderator
| Hello Jaysee. Hope you're doing well. Although a large school may be ideal, sometimes it isn't always feasible. Too, sometimes personal experience is much more important than what is written. You have to kind of weigh the two and take into consideration the needs of the tank while taking into consideration the needs of the fish and what will make them happy. 
Have a good day today!
Ken | |
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