Cory Fever

[mchambers]

The Wet Spot is also a really nice tropical fish store in Portland, Oregon. Worth a visit if you're in the area.

I've only ordered from the Wet Spot once, as a part of a group buy, but the fish were what I wanted. They certainly have a great selection of interesting fish.

 

[CSnyder00]

I just ordered the duplicareus through them. Waiting for a reply. Thanks folks for all of the suggestions and info. I'll post some pics once they are here and settled.

Matt,
What pH and what temp are you keeping yours at?

 

[mchambers]

Mine are usually in DC tap water, which is around 7, the last time I tested (a long time ago - I hate pH testers). From time to time, I use rain water in their tank, to try to stimulate spawning.

I've been keeping them at 78F lately, but have kept them at lower temperatures, too. Can't say I've noticed any correlation between temperature and spawning.

 

[CSnyder00]

Thanks, folks. Fish should be here this week. Will post pics once they get settled in. Any suggestions for type of sand?

 

[mchambers]

I use pool filter sand.

 

[CSnyder00]

I have that and I also have all natural play sand. My cories before loved the play sand because it was very fine and smooth, so they could sift it through their gills really easy. I think I'm going with that.

 

[b considine]

Smooth is the key word regarding sand. I've got some play sand but moved to pool filter sand when a pool supply store in Glen Burnie went out of business a few years back and had it on sale for $6 a 50 lb bag.

Blaise

 

[CSnyder00]

Yeah. This stuff was so fine and smooth that they could take whole mouthfuls of the stuff, burry their heads in it, and generally act like a cory should. It's nice stuff. It actually feels soft in the hand.

Keep in mind, in the wild, the sand they are in is not always perfect. We just want to replicate it to the best of our abilities.

 

[b considine]

True, but then again, they aren't confined to an area with unsuitable substrate.

Blaise

 

[finzz]

I've run into problems when the sand is too sharp-edged. It can damage the barbels of the fish and then they don't "smell" well. Once they lose the sense of smell they'll hardly eat and eventually die.

 

[CSnyder00]

Right. I would prefer black sand, but there isn't any out there that is small/fine enough and smooth enough to work for them. NatGeo sand is really nice, but it's too sharp and too large IMO.

 

[CSnyder00]

Tank is up and running. Seeded with mature filter media and mature driftwood and rocks. Fish arrive tomorrow. Can't wait! Will post pictures once they settle in.

 

[b considine]

Looking forward to fry in the auction come November.

Blaise

 

[CSnyder00]

Fish were here at 8 am. All happy and healthy. Just got a quick feed of blackworms and devoured them readily. Swimming in a nice group. I'm so glad I took my time and picked out the right fish. Pics to come once they have settled for a day and color up a bit.

 

[CSnyder00]

Here they are drip acclimating...

 

[CSnyder00]

As promised....

A few Green Lasers I picked up Saturday...

And a few more for good measure of Cory activity...

Enjoy! I know I am!

 

[CSnyder00]

So...the duplicareus are laying eggs on the plants today!! How hard will it be to pluck them off of the plant roots and leaves?

 

[mchambers]

So...the duplicareus are laying eggs on the plants today!! How hard will it be to pluck them off of the plant roots and leaves?

It will be easy, in my experience. They have fairly big eggs, and you can roll them off with your fingers.

Congrats!

 

[Beanie Seagus]

wow that was fast! Looking good cory!

 

[CSnyder00]

It will be easy, in my experience. They have fairly big eggs, and you can roll them off with your fingers.

Congrats!

Thanks, Matt. I figured they would be, but I know she was going deep into the plant stems, so I may have a hard time finding them all.

wow that was fast! Looking good cory!

Yeah, I know. I haven't had them long and I've been feeding them mostly pelleted food, with a few meals of frozen here and there, so I'm surprised they started this quickly.