Feeding Corys

I try to do what Fishieluv does - use flakes and sinking but some go for the sinking (they smell so darn good) and abandon the flakes.

 

Yeah, I have to use foods that stay near the top while I am feeding my bottomfeeders, to keep all the big fat mollys (and LokI the biggest fattest platy ever) away. Thing is, doing this long enough, they just learn food up top instantly means sinky food underneath.
What I've resorted to doing is mixing up the order I introduce foods, where in the tank (left or right side) I introduce it, and other things, just to keep things from being so predictable. I have a variety of foods to feed them with anyway and each behave a little differently, so this helps.

Still not certain if one big wafer (plus 'fallout' from floaty food that stops floating) is enough for eight teeny juvenile corys. Certainly in my case one whole wafer per cory would be far too much, but mine all average out to an inch long at most if I include tail fins. My pandas are wee babies.

 

Whoa... maybe I'm not feeding my cories enough, but they don't get that much. I have 5 false juliI and two albino. They're all fat and happy. I feed my fish flakes every other day. I usually alternate between feedings for the bottom feeders, with two pellets or an algae wafer. I often drop these in at night when I go to bed because the guppies and the DG sleep then, and they're the ones that will go after the sinking food the most. There is a little bit of competition with the snails but neither of my boys have really learned how to cover their food yet so it's not very tough competition

My cories also really, really love the snail jello I make sometimes (I think it's Junne's recipe). When I still had some around I dropped a couple of small pieces in like once every two weeks or so...

 

Yeahhhh, I should include the fact I only feed my fish once a day. Once a week at most I have a fasting day, and once a week at most I drop in shelled pea halves instead of wafers.

I've taken to loading mushed pea-insides (two peas at most for me) into a little syringe I have so I can prevent any one fish from stealing all the goodness, but this is mmmmostly so I can play with them all. One pea for the corys, one for all my mid and top feeders heh.

 

So I just got 2 Corys (I plan on getting more) and I bought algae pellets for them to eat, as instructed by the lady at petco. However I don't really see them eating it. I put a full pellet it (I have the thin ones since they're very small) and they went up to it and messed with it, but it doesn't seem like they are it. So I tried crushing it up for them and they still just swim right around it. Of course, my ghost shrimp love it, but they can't eat the whole thing and I don't like having bits of algae pellets sitting in my tank if no one is really eating them. Am I doing something wrong??
Also my catfish will swim around and they're so adorable, but sometimes they just plop down and look dead. When I first saw it I thought they had both died, only to find out they were taking a cat nap. Is this normal behavior or could something be wrong with my fish?
Thanks!

 

Welcome to Fishlore
Unfortunately you were misinformed on what to feed the corys, they aren't algae eaters & although they will eat the wafers if there's nothing else on offer they get little nutrition from them.
They need a good catfish pellet as a staple & frozen or live food such as bloodworm, brine shrimp etc.
Can you better describe their behaviour or even better get a short video of them doing it & more information on your tank, water stats, size, tank mates etc?

 

Welcome to Fishlore
Unfortunately you were misinformed on what to feed the corys, they aren't algae eaters & although they will eat the wafers if there's nothing else on offer they get little nutrition from them.
They need a good catfish pellet as a staple & frozen or live food such as bloodworm, brine shrimp etc.
Can you better describe their behaviour or even better get a short video of them doing it & more information on your tank, water stats, size, tank mates etc?

Well they swim around and do their normal stuff and then they just plop down and stop moving. It mostly seems like a nap, honestly, and they look dead.

 

Is that a red tail shark in with the cories? What size tank? They require at least a 50 gal tank minimum.

 

Is that a red tail shark in with the cories? What size tank? They require at least a 50 gal tank minimum.

It's a rainbow shark
Yes I've only just learned this information. I was extremely misinformed by the people at petco and pet smart yesterday and I plan on returning the sharks or giving them to a friend with a bigger tank.

It's a 10 gallon
The lady said 2 would be perfect for the 10 gallon, which clearly is not true.

Here are some videos of what they normally do and when they're 'asleep'

 

That looks like normal cory behaviour to me, they can spend a lot of time just resting

 

That looks like normal cory behaviour to me, they can spend a lot of time just resting

Okay, I just wasn't sure. Thanks!

 

Agreed, there seems to be different behavior between individuals. Some patrol all day, while other chill a bit more often.

 

Seems normal to me too. They are shifters, so even when the pellets are sitting in front of them they will just go around looking for the small pieces, but they will need special pellets for bottom dwellers.

As for the naps.... Mine do that in the morning, all 8 of them, until they see movement in the room or lights and think they are getting fed

 

Ive never fed mine pellets, but you could try that. Ive just kept them with sloppy eaters,

 

To me they are two far to thin Trilineatus at non suitable gravel. I call this "algaewafer-syndrom" lacking the right nutrition for some time (shame on the LFS). Follow Coradee 's feeding-advice and get some other substrate. Rehome the redtail !!!

 

Are you upgrading from the 10g? That size won't be enough for cories either.....unfortunately.

 

Are you upgrading from the 10g? That size won't be enough for cories either.....unfortunately.

Yep I told the OP that 10 gallon is too small for cories in another tank already.

 

So I have 5 JulI Cory catfish, 5 ghost shrimp, a platy, and a small guppy (I think). I have been feeding my catfish shrimp pellets and the tetra flakes. I typically put the flakes on top first and then put some in the water so they will sink for the catfish, then add the pellets. I am afraid, however, that they are not getting enough to eat/enough nutrients so I went out today and got freeze dried blood worms. It turns out they float and simply won't sink no matter what I do. I was wondering if there is anything I can do to make them sink so my catfish can eat them? I read somewhere about putting food in a cucumber?????
Thanks

 

Get some catfish pellets and some shrimp tabs. Putting them in at night with the lights out will thrill your Cories. New Era makes a Catfish food that I use that the cats go crazy for. Food goes in at night after the lights are out. With the lights off, it also prevents a lot of the regular fish from eating the food. The lights go out, for Cories and many other species because they usually feed at night. If you have a dI'm moonlight setting on your lights, drop some catfish pellets or Shrimp pellets in and watch.Thrown some algae tablets in for the Plecos as well. Every nocturnal creature that is in your tank will start coming forward. It's like a reunion in the tank! Plecos, Botias, Loaches, Cories all congregate up front at their local restaurant.

 

Cories are primarily carnivores so cucumbers would not do any real good. Try Omega One shrimp pellets, they'll go crazy for them.

 

Cories are primarily carnivores so cucumbers would not do any real good. Try Omega One shrimp pellets, they'll go crazy for them.

Well I already have shrimp pellets for them but the cucumber is for putting food in and that will help it all sink to the bottom

 

Have you tried pre-soaking the bloodworms in tank water for a few minutes before putting them in? I hear they sink if you do this.

 

The New Era Catfish food sinks right to the bottom like a lead weight. Great for bottom feeders.. I'm certain that there are others. Just get the right food for them and you won't have to come up with a way of sinking the food. The catfish pellets will fall without floating around and sit on top of the substrate ready to be consumed. Flakes can get a little messy if you are feeding enough where they sink without the other fish getting it first. If you drop the catfish food, it drops to the front of the tank and doesn't float around. That way, if they don't eat it all, it is right up front to vacuum out when you do your water changes.

 

Have you tried pre-soaking the bloodworms in tank water for a few minutes before putting them in? I hear they sink if you do this.

Yes I've tried soaking them for a few minutes and for an hour and it helped a little bit, but not much.
I'm really trying to get these tk work because I already spent the money on it and I have an incessant amount of worms now. I mean- at least my other fish are getting more protein, I suppose.

 

Yes I've tried soaking them for a few minutes and for an hour and it helped a little bit, but not much.
I'm really trying to get these tk work because I already spent the money on it and I have an incessant amount of worms now. I mean- at least my other fish are getting more protein, I suppose.

Completely understand. Fish food is not cheap. Do you have an HOB filter? If so, have you tried dropping them where the water flows so they are forced down to the bottom? I've done this with flakes and they go down to the bottom for my corys.

 

Completely understand. Fish food is not cheap. Do you have an HOB filter? If so, have you tried dropping them where the water flows so they are forced down to the bottom? I've done this with flakes and they go down to the bottom for my corys.

I actually have done this and it doesn't work either, they still float right back up to the top

 

Hmm.. not sure what else to suggest then because all those methods have worked for me. You may need to just get some more food that will sink just for the corys when you can afford to. A varied diet is always good anyway.. try peas once a week that have been heated, deshelled and mashed (if you're on a budget). They always sink right to the bottom and all my fish including the corys enjoy them!

 

There are times that you will just have to buy different foods. It's just a nature of the beast. Again..get a food that will sink and not fall into the cracks on the gravel. If you have sand...GREAT! It will sit on top. The NEW ERA catfish pellets (sticks) are great. They will solve your issues without making a mess of your tank and creating more of a problem. Sinking fish food is easily done by just sticking your fingers with the food inside the tank, wetting it and letting go. You COULD just stick your hand all the way down to the bottom and release the food so that its not floating everywhere...but I would opt for a cleaner method myself.

 

There are times that you will just have to buy different foods. It's just a nature of the beast. Again..get a food that will sink and not fall into the cracks on the gravel. If you have sand...GREAT! It will sit on top. The NEW ERA catfish pellets (sticks) are great. They will solve your issues without making a mess of your tank and creating more of a problem. Sinking fish food is easily done by just sticking your fingers with the food inside the tank, wetting it and letting go. You COULD just stick your hand all the way down to the bottom and release the food so that its not floating everywhere...but I would opt for a cleaner method myself.

Yes I've done all of this
Soaking it for about 8 hour seems to work so I guess I'll just do that and continue with my other foods that I give them.

 

Yes I've done all of this
Soaking it for about 8 hour seems to work so I guess I'll just do that and continue with my other foods that I give them.

With flake food..you don't need to soak it. Just dip your hand into the tank, (clean hands and arms), with food in your fingertips..and by the time you get to the bottom, you can release..and it will fall right down to the bottom.

However...I wouldnt take the time to soak my food for 8 hours...although I doubt it takes THAT long...and get some dedicated catfish food! You do have to spend SOME money on this hobby.

IDEA: Maybe the LFS will give you a sample. You can go there and ask what they feed the catfish, and then ask if you could try it out to see if the catfish LIKE it before you spend the money. They'll probably give you more than a pinch or two. You'd be surprised!

 

With flake food..you don't need to soak it. Just dip your hand into the tank, (clean hands and arms), with food in your fingertips..and by the time you get to the bottom, you can release..and it will fall right down to the bottom.

However...I wouldnt take the time to soak my food for 8 hours...although I doubt it takes THAT long...and get some dedicated catfish food! You do have to spend SOME money on this hobby.

IDEA: Maybe the LFS will give you a sample. You can go there and ask what they feed the catfish, and then ask if you could try it out to see if the catfish LIKE it before you spend the money. They'll probably give you more than a pinch or two. You'd be surprised!

Well I already do that with the flakes and that works fine.
I just soak the worms over night and use that. Idk I already spent the money so I may as well do what I can to make it work, and at least my other fish will get more protein.

 

Hey everyone, today is the day I found that my 30 gallon aquariums biofilter has matured and am now ready to begin stocking slowly. I cycled with 11 tetras which are still in the tank. My current plan for stocking is going to be the 11 tetras that are in there, 2 angels (getting babies and when they outgrow the tank they will be rehomed) and 6 corydoras of different varieties. I'm now ready to add corys but I was wondering what the best diet for these guys would be and what brand of food should I go with. Also I know that the angels and be aggressive or eat the tetras so if that happens I'll deal with it but do you guys think my stocking plan is suitable, will it be overcrowded?

 

For the corys a sinking catfish pellet as a staple & if you can get it frozen or live food such as bloodworms, brine shrimp, daphnia etc a few times a week.
Btw corys should really be kept in single variety groups not mix & match, as you're having angels I would go with a group of either sterbaI or bronze as they can handle the higher temperature the Angels prefer.

 

For the corys a sinking catfish pellet as a staple & if you can get it frozen or live food such as bloodworms, brine shrimp, daphnia etc a few times a week.
Btw corys should really be kept in single variety groups not mix & match, as you're having angels I would go with a group of either sterbaI or bronze as they can handle the higher temperature the Angels prefer.

What I meant by variety was I wasn't sure which kind I wanted to put in but thanks to you my options are a lot slimmer so thank you! Are there any specific brand of pellets you prefer to use with your fish?

 

I use New era catfish pellets, it's been rebranded in the US as Balance aquatic nutrition, New life spectrum is also good, I've also seen people here use wardley shrimp pellets.
Really when feeding, a variety is good as what one food may lack another will make up for.

 

Mine get tetra's prima sinking pellets amongst frozen foods (brine shrimp, bloodworm etc) and any flakes that make it down to the bottom.
I occasionally throw a couple of hikarI catfish wafers in as well

 

I feed mine a variety of sinking food. HikarI sinking wafers, Omega One Shrimp pellets and even though they are not the best food for corys, HikarI minI algae wafers. I also have regular sizes algae wafers for my plecos and it is impossible to keep the corys out of it so they get their fill on those too. I also make sure some of the freeze dried bloodworms go to the bottom for the corys. They also go after any thing that makes it to the bottom while feeding my middle and top feeders. I do think they enjoy variety and I think it is better for their health.

Some of mine even go after the veggies I feed my plecos but I am thinking that is because I hide the algae wafers in there

 

I feed NLS pellets, Omega One micro pellets and shrimp pellets, HikarI sinking catfish wafers and frozen brine shrimp/bloodworms. They'll also nibble on some of the veggies I leave for my snails.

What kind of tetras do you have?

 

I feed NLS pellets, Omega One micro pellets and shrimp pellets, HikarI sinking catfish wafers and frozen brine shrimp/bloodworms. They'll also nibble on some of the veggies I leave for my snails.

What kind of tetras do you have?

They are neon tetras

 

They're not temp compatible with angels and will most likely get eaten by them. If you're not planning on keeping the angels long term, I'd choose a different fish. What about a dwarf gourami?