Why keep cory cats?

[greedythief]

I'm at a loss as to why corydoras catfish are so popular in the hobby.

they aren't attractive fish

they may clean the substrate of food but still add to bioload by pooping

they have to be in schools of at least 6 so take up a lot of "space" in terms of 1 inch per gallon guideline.

they are expensive fish (at least in new zealand) - the cheapest i've ever seen is $8 for a bronze cory.

Please everyone argue against me!

[heyitsmeallen]

I just added a School of Albino cory cats to my freshwater tank the other day.. I think they are quite attractive and add life to the bottom of my tank.. I only had to pay $2.50 each for them as well.


The albinos tend to shimmer more than the other types of corys I saw at the pet shop. I think that makes them look more attractive than the normal kind.

They also only get about 3 inches large.. that Is good for someone who might have a smaller tank but still wants a catfish in it.


thats my reasons so far... But its only been a few days lol.

[Cliff]

I don't see why you would want to start a argument about a certain fish.

People like different fish for different reasons. What fish you choose to put in your tank, and the reasons for that, are mostly personal preference.

[madagascariensis]

Well, as cliff mentioned, it's everyone's own taste to what fish they stock, but in defense of the cories, here are some reasons I can think of:

- they are really cute even though they might not have gaudy colors
- even though they need schools, they generally are the smallest and most easily obtainable bottom dwellers
- they do interesting things ( versus some attractive tetra that does nothing but hang around looking pretty)

[Lady Hobbs]

The one inch per gallon is not a rule anyone uses. It's bad information spread all over the internet. A school can (and should be) as many "over" 6 that you can have. A school of 6 is just barely a school at all. Actual schools are in the hundreds. If you are trying to figure the one inch per fish, then chances are you may be over-crowding your fish.

What counts with stocking is if fish are compatible and how active they are requiring more swimming room. Danio's, for instance, might be small fish but do not belong in a 10 gallon due to their activity level.

[Brhino]

they aren't attractive fish

Saying they're not attractive is your opinion. Many people would disagree... and they come in a wide variety of different colorations and patterns, so if you don't care for a particular type there may be another that suits your fancy.

they may clean the substrate of food but still add to bioload by pooping

Every fish poops. If you're only looking at a fish wondering what benefit it can provide to you, you're doing it wrong.

they have to be in schools of at least 6 so take up a lot of "space" in terms of 1 inch per gallon guideline.

Some people LIKE schooling fish. You say it like it's a bad thing but it's a fun behavior to watch.. and Corydoras are by far the most common small schooling bottom feeders.

they are expensive fish (at least in new zealand) - the cheapest i've ever seen is $8 for a bronze cory.

I don't know why they're so expensive in New Zealand but from my experience here in the states they're no more expensive then the rest of your standard community fish like tetras or livebearers.

Please everyone argue against me!

Other benefits:
1. They have unique swimming behaviors that many people find cute.
2. They're one of the easiest egg-laying species to breed successfully if you're into that sort of thing.
3. They're completely peaceful. They don't fight amongst themselves or with other species.

[Honey Badger 1]

People get cory's because they like them. If you don't like them don't get them.

[Goes to 11!]

I am at a loss as to why I would feel compelled to defend a differing & wholly subjective opinion that you obviously already made up your mind about.

[korith]

Different people like different things. I like corydoras pygmaeus, small little cories under an inch in size. Very active as well which can be nice at the lower levels of the tank if you have just fish that stay in the middle level.

Now albino cory cats on the otherhand I can't stand, albino fish freak me out!

[Angelfish11788]

cause they are the shIp..lol I dont get the guppy craze, but i aint gonna b#tch about it....:)