Panda Cory Glass Surfing Behavior

Hello.

Couple weeks ago I had 3 Panda Cories. These 3 liked to glass surf on the ends of the tank a lot. Up, down, up, down over and over.

Then I added 3 more. This behavior drastically lessened.

About a week after that disease hit the tank and I lost 3 of them. I fully believe that they were the new 3. The tank is now undergoing treatment.

The remaining 3 are starting the glass surfing again.

Is the answer for why they are doing this the obvious answer? Inadequate school? If I add 3-5 more (after quarantine this time) should this behavior lessen or stop?

Also, in the end I really want Sterbais in this tank (20 long by the way) for temp compatibility reasons. Should I try to get 6 Pandas before moving them? Or start adding Sterbais, move the Pandas and up their numbers, and then finish the SterbaI school?

 

What about using the new tank the Pandas will go into as a QT, get both kinds (if they're from the same tank/store) and quarantine them together, then after the quarantine period is over move the sterbais into the first tank and the old Pandas into the new "QT".

 

I have 8 julI cory's for about 6 months and throught out the day but mainly in the morning I have a couple that will "glass surf" I haven't had any disease in the tank. I think its normal.

 

Yes, I believe the inadequate school size contributes to them glass surfing more often.

 

What about using the new tank the Pandas will go into as a QT, get both kinds (if they're from the same tank/store) and quarantine them together, then after the quarantine period is over move the sterbais into the first tank and the old Pandas into the new "QT".

Few reasons actually. The new tank I'm planning on is a 30. I don't actually have it yet. Plus I have a 10 for quarantine in case I have to treat something. Also, 6 Sterbais and 3 Pandas figure up to roughly be $81 plus tax. I can't spend that much on fish in one pop.

Guess I should just stick with Pandas until I get the new tank. That way I don't have a divided school.

Still having trouble deciding if I want a total of 6 or 8 in a 20 long. Suggestions?

 

Do 8.

 

I agree with 8. The bigger the school the happier they are and safer they feel. I just got some Cories actually ( 5 JuliI and 2 Sterbai, it was all the had left)
I noticed that the Julii's I had before would "glass surf" all the time even though I had 9 of them. I think it's a pretty normal behavior. But I have noticed that Cories tend to do what the others do. So with the 3 new ones be a lot more calm the other 3 probably just followed suit.
Since I just got mine yesterday they are still getting comfortable, but they all seem happy schooling together so far.

I will say that the Pandas I had before would only school with other Pandas. Maybe it was just mine, but maybe not.

 

Do 8.

8 Sterbais in the 20 long?

 

I agree with 8. The bigger the school the happier they are and safer they feel. I just got some Cories actually ( 5 JuliI and 2 Sterbai, it was all the had left)
I noticed that the Julii's I had before would "glass surf" all the time even though I had 9 of them. I think it's a pretty normal behavior. But I have noticed that Cories tend to do what the others do. So with the 3 new ones be a lot more calm the other 3 probably just followed suit.
Since I just got mine yesterday they are still getting comfortable, but they all seem happy schooling together so far.

I will say that the Pandas I had before would only school with other Pandas. Maybe it was just mine, but maybe not.

I've heard that Pandas are particularly selective when it comes to schooling. You would say 8 Sterbais in a 20 long though? I ask because they get bigger.

 

Oh for some reason I though the Sterbai's were going in the 30. In that case I would do 6. You are right, they can get very big. I got one yesterday who is at least 2" long and very robust. lol

Oh and if it makes you feel any better my Cories have started "glass surfing" this afternoon. I think it is completely normal behavior, unless they do it constantly.

 

Oh for some reason I though the Sterbai's were going in the 30. In that case I would do 6. You are right, they can get very big. I got one yesterday who is at least 2" long and very robust. lol

Oh and if it makes you feel any better my Cories have started "glass surfing" this afternoon. I think it is completely normal behavior, unless they do it constantly.

Yeah, they can be very playful. Their favorite games are follow the leader and tag. Lol. I was just a little concerned because when they glass surf they do it for a while. They usually calm back down on the bottom eventually though.

 

In that case I think it's fine.
That's what I love about them. They are so much fun to watch.

 

I have another question about Panda Cory behavior. I've noticed that when there's only 3 of them, there's usually always one by itself. They group up for a while, and then 2 go off and the oddball stays alone. Is this normal? Especially since in the short period of time there were 6 there were 3 pairs in different places. They too would group up for a while and then PaI back off.

 

My Sterbais do that. They're pretty comfortable in their tank now with no competition (their only tankmate currently is an old betta) so they will often go off and do their own thing in smaller groups, occasionally gather together then head off again.

 

My Sterbais do that. They're pretty comfortable in their tank now with no competition (their only tankmate currently is an old betta) so they will often go off and do their own thing in smaller groups, occasionally gather together then head off again.

Okay. Guess I just need to get 3-5 more in quarantine ASAP so they can all be together. Can't wait. Want them, 2 more harlequin rasboras, and then keep my eyes open for a young (probably), beautiful (non-red), good tempered betta. Then I'll be mostly stocked besides finishing up with my inverts.

Then I can start bigger and better tanks again. Like the 30 for the pandas to move to.

 

You'll be blown away by the change in behavior when you get more. I have 7 now but had 4 before and now they're all bounding together in the current, it's amazing. I'm curious as to how they do in water harder water. I'm considering adding crushed coral to my filter only. I'd like some ciclids from the lower congo. There's kribs breeding in there now and a SAP cruising around up top in a 90gallon no real issues yet. It's had the same stock for a few months now.

 

You'll be blown away by the change in behavior when you get more. I have 7 now but had 4 before and now they're all bounding together in the current, it's amazing. I'm curious as to how they do in water harder water. I'm considering adding crushed coral to my filter only. I'd like some ciclids from the lower congo. There's kribs breeding in there now and a SAP cruising around up top in a 90gallon no real issues yet. It's had the same stock for a few months now.

Yeah, I had 6. That unfortunately didn't last long though. Can't wait to get some more (quarantined fist this time).