Multi-Race Cory Schools?

**Lord_Spank** · 03-11-2013, 02:49 AM

Pardon me if I was off by referring to the different corydora species as, "races." And pardon me again if I had just referred to the many racial groups of cory's as species! Now with that out of the way, here's my conundrum. When initially setting up the tank I was given a Swartzi cory from my fish Sherpa. After some investigation and little deliberation, I decided to purchase 3 meta corys, the the swartzi and two of my meta corys socialize and occasionally shoal where the third cory is typically hiding. It is rare that they shoal or are out too often Now, before I remedy this with another surge of cory cats... Should I possibly buy two more swartzis and have six corys all together? Or, two more meta corys and complete their school. Two complete schools of both, "parties," we shall call them, is not an option. I have a 20gal tank which is already over capacity, with no one willing to take in refugees. What are everyone's thoughts? :)

**Lord_Spank** · 03-11-2013, 02:51 AM

...Apparently "meta," corydoras do not exist. I have three, "peppered," corydoras... Can you say, "genius?" ;)

**Honey Badger 1** · 03-11-2013, 03:34 AM

Well, if your tank is already over stocked and there is no one to take any fish off your "hands", what can you do? Adding more fish to an already over stocked tank isn't a good option, but the cory's do need more of their own kind to thrive. If this was my problem, I would buy another tank and get proper sized groups of each species, one species of cory per tank, and spread some of the other fish around, which would also help with that over stocking. I believe your meta cory is a bandit cory or masked cory, scientific name; Corydoras metae.

And I would find a new fish Sherpa, Preferably one who gives social fish away in appropriately sized social groups.

**Lord_Spank** · 03-11-2013, 03:42 AM

Thank you for the input! Will definitely need to extradite some of my dudes outta the tank

**talldutchie** · 03-11-2013, 05:19 AM

Seems like the best idea.

Cories are known to school in different species. Key is behaviour patterns that are as similar as possible and size. Colouration seems to be a bit less of a factor.

**Lord_Spank** · 03-11-2013, 06:58 AM

Can't seem to find anything about my Swartzi and Peppered Cory's being compatible, any thoughts?

**talldutchie** · 03-11-2013, 09:08 AM

OK... just thinking out loud really....

peppered, Corydoras paleatus . 70mm max. Prefers a bit cooler water, say 18-23c. Corydoras schwartzi, similar size, likes water of about 22c. body shape looks very similar. I'd say there's a good possibility these will join up.

If your tank is already maxed out adding fish is not the best option.

**Lord_Spank** · 03-11-2013, 09:55 PM

I'm beginning to make progress in sending some of them out, once I'm back below capacity I'm going to try and establish a proper school! Should I meet in the middle with three schwartzi corys, or 2 more peppered?