Panda or Bronze Cories?

[MitchLikesFish]

Hello, I was wondering if I could fit either 5 bronze or panda cories into my 20 gallon tank? The current inhabitants are a Pearl Gourami, 4 Black phantom tetras(lost 4), and a bristlenose pleco. If I can, what would be a better fit, bronze or panda cories?

My ph is 7.4 if that'll help with the decision.

[Fishalicious]

Both would do fine in your tank so pick the one you like more :19: Panda's also stay smaller... I recommend getting 6 at least

[MitchLikesFish]

Hmm, I heard that panda's prefer a lower ph, is that true?

[Lakea]

Yeah I would go with pandas, they are very cute! I have bronzes, I love them but they just don't have those cute little panda markings on them.

One thing I hear a lot of is fish will do alright in pretty much any pH as long as it is stable, corys tend to be hardy fish so I don't think your pH will cause a problem, do you know your pH?

[MitchLikesFish]

my ph is 7.4

[Fishalicious]

Panda's are fine upto a PH of 7.6... as long as your PH is stable there is no problem :19:

[MitchLikesFish]

Alright.

Will 6 overcrowd my tank? And will my pleco be aggressive towards them?

[Fishalicious]

You could get 6 Panda's ... Bristlenose should be fine with them...he might give them a push aside at feeding times but nothing aggressive

[MitchLikesFish]

Alright, I was thinking of ordering them online since none of my lfs's carry them.

Problem is, the website I was looking at(Liveaquaria.com) has them at $5.00 each. Can you guys think of any websites that sell them lower, or are they very high in demand/low in supply? I'm guessing the quality of them must be pretty good, plus they've got a 7 day guarantee, so that makes me worry less.

Does anyone have experience with liveaquaria.com?

Edit: Grrrr, Minimum order of $30.00, plus another $35.00 for shipping, I might just ask my lfs to order the fish and pick 'em up there!

[Ryuu]

Asking your LFS to order them would be a good idea, but they may charge extra for the order.

[mac]

Hi MitchLikesFish,

my ph is 7.4

Sorry I have never ordered fish on line and never will, sorry cant help there.

Yes Panda Carys would be fine in that tank.

I personally would not place the Panda Corys in that pH. I would try and lower it a bit.
I know that fish can grow a custom to high pH, but it is getting out of there range. I would think it crule to force a fish to live in a enviroment with water parametor that are out of there naturel enviroment. And exspesually with modern stuff which can lower the pH. Hope this helps,
macquatic

[Incredulous_Ed]

Try [Only Registered Users Can See Links.]. You may be able to find them there for less.

Pandas are very sensitive to nitrates. Ive lost a few just by doing my water changes a day late.

[Jacko]

[Only Registered Users Can See Links.] would be the best place to look, but most people sell groups on there. I think the smallest group of Pandas I've seen there (though I don't cruise the cory section often, usually it's just bettas :P) is 6. So you might be able to find them for a decent price and just 6.

[MitchLikesFish]

Hi MitchLikesFish,



Sorry I have never ordered fish on line and never will, sorry cant help there.

Yes Panda Carys would be fine in that tank.

I personally would not place the Panda Corys in that pH. I would try and lower it a bit.
I know that fish can grow a custom to high pH, but it is getting out of there range. I would think it crule to force a fish to live in a enviroment with water parametor that are out of there naturel enviroment. And exspesually with modern stuff which can lower the pH. Hope this helps,
macquatic


mm, I was told that messing around with the pH could put stress on the fish? Is it just a product that I add to the water each time I change the water?

[NickFish]

Your pH is fine. 7.4 is nothing.

I have bred panda cories in 7.6, and they can be kept as high as 8.2 if you acclimate them properly.

pH is important, but the actual number is not. What is most important is the stability of the pH. If you want to lower your pH, use peat or CO2 or driftwood, do not use those pH down products.

You can keep panda cories no problem in that pH, just keep it stable.

[mac]

Hi,
I may be different from you guys. But some of you seem to have your fish, in water that is so high in pH. I dont think it is right to keep fish with pHs way out of there normal zone. I understand acclimatizing them slowly will work. And more important is to have a stable pH. But why would you want to keep them in that High a pH for. I think it is cruel on the fish. It's like saying yes we could get a person to volunteer for a experiment. You put hiin a room. That imitates ones house. Then raise the temperature to say 50'c gradually. Then gradually give him the same amount of water as you would drink on a 30'c day. He might be fine if he is fit and healthy. And could live like that quite fine. But that is not a perfect environment for him. It is the same for the fish.
Back to Pandas, they have a lower pH than 8.0.

Our local tape water, is 7.5. The water in my tank stays at 6.9. Because of the Co2. Now I dont want to stress my fish every time I place new water in the tank. So I lower it. But that is the reason I lower it.

But back to the topic. I think we as fish keepers should try to keep the fish we keep in water conditions of their naturel environment.
Please dont get offended.
Cheers,
macqauitc