Cory Catfish, Info Needed

I have a 20 gallon tank with zebra danios & neon tetras. I've had cichlids & gouramis before & am looking for something a bit different then those & BottomDweller said they'd be good fish to get. I've always loved catfishes little whiskers lol, they're so cute! I've been researching them today & reading multiple threads on here. I have a planted tank, pretty densely planted so the cory catfish should be happy.

My substrate is gravel, just pea gravel but I've read that cory catfish like &- prefer sand to sift in. Should I change substrate or is gravel okay? I don't want them to get hurt from the gravel & sifting too much. Any & all advice appreciated. Temperature requirements, food needs, etc. I'll probably be getting them in the next few weeks, I'm excited!!

 

What is the temperature of the tank you're going to put them in? There are different species of cory and they each have their own temperature requirements!

If it's rounded gravel they should be ok but they act more naturally on sand as they sift it looking for food. They suck it in their mouths and then you can see it all dribbling out through their gills. The bigger the group the more active they'll be, too!

Is your tank a long or a tall?

 

What is the temperature of the tank you're going to put them in? There are different species of cory and they each have their own temperature requirements!

If it's rounded gravel they should be ok but they act more naturally on sand as they sift it looking for food. They suck it in their mouths and then you can see it all dribbling out through their gills. The bigger the group the more active they'll be, too!

Is your tank a long or a tall?

The temperature is 72 or 73. The tank is tall. Oh cool, how many cories would be good for a 20 gallon tank?

 

That's pretty low. Maybe Peppered Cories? I would get at least 6, preferably more. I would do 10. I have 14 in a 20 long but it's a temporary thing. They will be moved on to bigger pastures. When I had 2 in there they were just kind of cute. Now they're all over the place and never stop!

 

I also have pepper Cories in both my tanks their heartier than panda Cories I recommend them

 

That's pretty low. Maybe Peppered Cories? I would get at least 6, preferably more. I would do 10. I have 14 in a 20 long but it's a temporary thing. They will be moved on to bigger pastures. When I had 2 in there they were just kind of cute. Now they're all over the place and never stop!

Okay, my tank has a heater too. I'm assuming 10 will be okay in a 20 gallon tank? I'm planning to get several more neon tetras & danios. I do not want to overcrowd my tank though obviously.

 

Start with 6, see how they are in the space, especially since you have plants taking up some of it

 

Can you put black sand over gravel? My gravel isn't that thick so I'm thinking of doing this. Also, where do you get sand, does it have to be sterile from a pet store or just like sand from home Depot washed really well? I know nothing about sand so forgive me if this seems stupid lol

 

Over time the sand would just wind up on the bottom of the gravel so I would just switch substrates completely. I have pool filter sand which you can find at a hardware store or pool supply store. Many others also like Black Diamond Blasting Sand which you can find at Tractor Supply if you have one near you. These sands are very safe for aquarium use and many on the forum use them. Just rinse them really well before adding to the tank.

Personally, I would get either panda corys or habrosus corys for a 20 tall as they stay smaller (around 2 inches) than peppers. Around 8-10 would be fine.

Note that corys are carnivores and need a meaty diet like shrimp pellets and live/frozen foods.

 

Over time the sand would just wind up on the bottom of the gravel so I would just switch substrates completely. I have pool filter sand which you can find at a hardware store or pool supply store. Many others also like Black Diamond Blasting Sand which you can find at Tractor Supply if you have one near you. These sands are very safe for aquarium use and many on the forum use them. Just rinse them really well before adding to the tank.

Personally, I would get either panda corys or habrosus corys for a 20 tall as they stay smaller (around 2 inches) than peppers. Around 8-10 would be fine.

Note that corys are carnivores and need a meaty diet like shrimp pellets and live/frozen foods.

Thanks! Any more information I need to know before I get them?

 

This is a good read written by one of our mods and resident cory expert.

Cory Faq