Betta Sorority With Cories?

Yolkeedoke:

My betta sorority has been up and running for a few months now and other than the expected (already solved) hiccups, is stable and happy.

I'm trying cories for the first time and currently have them set up in a quarantine tank.

The tempting next step is to try a small school in my betta sorority pond, obviously-
So I thought I'd welcome experienced opinions before proceeding- does anyone have experience with this pairing? Thoughts? Comments? Questions?

 

What type of cory?

 

What type of cory?

Good question. They're the Craigslist special. Larger(1 & 1/4") guys seem to be some mash up of bronze/albino. A couple of the tiny (1/2") guys seem to be peppered, but being a noob, I honestly couldn't say. I've tried to photograph them, but the camera on my tablet is beyond ridiculous.

 

Bronze and albino should be fine but peppered need cooler water than bettas. Also albinos and bronze will school together but other types will all need to be in schools of 6+ of their own type.

Edit: How big is the tank/pond?

 

This is in a pond? What temp does it get?

 

Yolkeedoke:

My betta sorority has been up and running for a few months now and other than the expected (already solved) hiccups, is stable and happy.

I'm trying cories for the first time and currently have them set up in a quarantine tank.

The tempting next step is to try a small school in my betta sorority pond, obviously-
So I thought I'd welcome experienced opinions before proceeding- does anyone have experience with this pairing? Thoughts? Comments? Questions?

I don't have experience with that exact pairing. But, in my experience in the hobby... I have learned many things, and sometimes what works for one person might not work for you, and vice-versa. I have a thriving Betta sorority, and a pair of Earth-Eater Cichlids sharing the tank with my beauties! (you probably wouldn't believe the inhabitants of my 75 gal tank! lol) Diversity can work... lol! =-)

 

Bronze and albino should be fine but peppered need cooler water than bettas. Also albinos and bronze will school together but other types will all need to be in schools of 6+ of their own type.

Edit: How big is the tank/pond?

Thanks- if any of them do turn out to be peppered, I'll build them their own pond, or house them with the goldfish in the summer months(~70°F).

I did a little research and did read that they generally prefer their own subspecies, and require a good size group to thrive. I won't be trying any of the smaller, less-identifiable ones in with the bettas, anyhow, to minimize the girls' prey instinct.

The ponds are non-traditional, at best. They are much smaller volume than recommended, but wide, long, and only 6 inches deep at the deepest point. The sorority is well established and parameters are optimal and consistent. The pond in question evaporates roughly a half gallon a day, and gets treated water added as often as necessary.

This is in a pond? What temp does it get?

Indoor pond. The sorority's pond is ~75°F.

I don't have experience with that exact pairing. But, in my experience in the hobby... I have learned many things, and sometimes what works for one person might not work for you, and vice-versa. I have a thriving Betta sorority, and a pair of Earth-Eater Cichlids sharing the tank with my beauties! (you probably wouldn't believe the inhabitants of my 75 gal tank! lol) Diversity can work... lol! =-)

Love it! My set-up always raises eyebrows, but it works!

 

I like the sound of a betta pond. Sounds pretty awesome. Can you see through the sides or can you just view them from above? Above or below ground?

 

Indoor pond. The sorority's pond is ~75°F.

Seems a bit too cool for bettas as they prefer it around 78-80.

 

I like the sound of a betta pond. Sounds pretty awesome. Can you see through the sides or can you just view them from above? Above or below ground?

You cannot see through the sides, which is the worst drawback. They're black plastic.
Above "ground"- they sit directly on the carpet, but I decorate the exterior sides with rocks and moss, so it looks more natural.

Seems a bit too cool for bettas as they prefer it around 78-80.

That's textbook, yes. The situation is not textbook, but I take my cues directly from the fish. They are active, spry, and alert.

 

So, anybody with cory/ betta sorority experience? In all likelihood I'll probably try it anyway(after quarantine, and getting to know cories a bit better), and just helicopter parent until they settle, but I'd like to hear others' experiences...

 

So, anybody with cory/ betta sorority experience? In all likelihood I'll probably try it anyway(after quarantine, and getting to know cories a bit better), and just helicopter parent until they settle, but I'd like to hear others' experiences...

I have a sorority with kuhlI loaches. So not exactly the same but still bottom feeders! After a few days of girls nosing them to see what they were. They are pretty much left alone. The only "issue" is when I feed them. The girls tend to follow them and try to steal their food. I just a put a few extra pellets in after the lights go out to ensure they get some.

It would differ in each sorority depending on the temperament of the girls And how territorial they are. So definitely keep a close eye on things!!

So, anybody with cory/ betta sorority experience? In all likelihood I'll probably try it anyway(after quarantine, and getting to know cories a bit better), and just helicopter parent until they settle, but I'd like to hear others' experiences...

 

I have a sorority with kuhlI loaches. So not exactly the same but still bottom feeders! After a few days of girls nosing them to see what they were. They are pretty much left alone. The only "issue" is when I feed them. The girls tend to follow them and try to steal their food. I just a put a few extra pellets in after the lights go out to ensure they get some.

It would differ in each sorority depending on the temperament of the girls And how territorial they are. So definitely keep a close eye on things!!

Thanks! Pretty much my assumption (common sense, care, attentiveness), but it's nice to gather info.