catfishlover123

Well, I bought a cory last night and he did not eat or scavenge at all. Do you think something is wrong? This is important!

P.S. My tank water passed the water test at my local LPS.

Nick G

Fish quite often won't eat on the first day, it takes them time to get used to their new surroundings. Your aquarium info says your ammonia levels are 1 and Nitrites 2, is that correct?

mathas

It could just be getting used to the surroundings, it could be looking for food after the lights go off, it might not be used to whatever food you were providing, or it could be shy. Corydoras are a social fish, and will do better with other Corydoras around.

What type of food did you offer, and when? You may want to try a sinking catfish pellet after the lights go off for the night.

And for what it's worth, relying on the store to tell you your water is good isn't all that reliable. Unfortunately, there are many employees out there who either don't know what they're talking about, or will say anything to get a sale. You do well to invest in a good liquid test kit and do your own tests.

catfishlover123

I offered an algae disk. The other fish pecked at it and they were tetras and a gourami. And I forgot to mention that the corydora lays on the gravel on it's stomach. It is not layingon it's side, though.

AlyeskaGirl

you only bought one? Are you gonna get a few more cause they are a social creature.

catfishlover123

Do you mean when the lights in the tank are off or all the lights around the tank?

catfishlover123

I am afraid I am not getting any more because my local LPS doesn't have any more emerald green corys.

Nick G

Corys are much happier in groups, do they have any other types of Corys?

mathas

You might consider breaking the disc into smaller pieces, as a normal algae disc is fairly large compared to a cory. And as was said earlier, try after the lights go out.

You may also want to look into a pellet-type food, such as a catfish pellet or shrimp pellet.

Mike19

You could always try another LFS, your cory may just be getting used to its new surrounding's like most members have already stated. you mentioned that the LFS told you your water was fine. what were the water parameters also it would be good and recommended if you bought your own test kit, that way you can monitor your water.

catfishlover123

Do you mean breaking them in half? I have wardly algae disks. My mom does not want to go back to the pet store. We went every day this week. Do you know why it is on the gravel?

catfishlover123

I will try to get a test kit.

Nick G

Corys ofter lie on the gravel, mine do it all the time when they're not feeding.

catfishlover123

Nick Goody, they have other corys but there is no more room for any of them.

Nick G

He won't be happy on his own, at the bare minumum you should have 2 Corys, ideally 4 or more.

mathas

I would probably go smaller than in half.

Keep in that mind that Corydoras are omnivores and will need a more rounded long-term diet than just algae discs.

catfishlover123

Well, my other cory scavenges all the time. Even when I don't feed him. Do you think the cory will start scavenging when the aquarium lights are off? And do you know why the gouramis and the tetras ate the algae disks?

catfishlover123

I know. Usually I sink some flake food for them.

AlyeskaGirl

Hmmm....think you can at least squeeze in 2 more.....they really are a social creature with each other.

I had 3 corys and two died due to they kept gettin sucked onto the intake tube, they were prob stressed out and weak........anyway, I went out to my LFS to get 2 more and of course they had 1 left in the tank where I got the 3from, different cory though, got him, but the other tank they had a school of them but they werent for sale cause one had ICH. I was like grrrrrrr......anyway when I finally put the one that I got into the tank the other cory came swimmin over and just swimmin on him, around him, just wiggling....really happy to have a friend.

mathas

Probably, though it's hard to say for sure.

Because it's edible and easily seen. There's a picture in the thread in my signature of one of my angelfish stealing an algae wafer out from underneath a plecostomus, even though the angel had just been fed a few minutes prior. Most fish don't seem to have an "I'm full" switch, they eat until the food source runs out.

Nick G

My Oscars steal my Plecos algae discs unless I hide them under the driftwood where only the Pleco can get them. Fish are greedy and will try and eat any food they can.

Mike19

its food, they usually eat my tablets for my corys once they eat the flakes haha. the corys will scavenge or should even when its not feeding time.

catfishlover123

How can I serve the algae disk to the corys?

Nick G

How long has the Cory been in the tank?

catfishlover123

Well, the new one has been her for one night and one day.

catfishlover123

Can someone please tell me how to serve the corys the algae disks??

Nick G

What do you mean? Just break them up and drop them in the tank, the Corys will find them. Corys aren't really algae eaters though.

catfishlover123

You mean just make it into powder?

Nick G

No just cut them into little pieces. Do you feed them anything else?

catfishlover123

I feed them flakes that I sink. Well, now I gave them the little pieces of the algae disk. Both corys have started to scavenge since I have turned off the aquarium lights.