Pygmy Corydoras hiding all the time

[Ivan Choo]

Happy Lunar New Year to all forumers!

I introduced 5 Pygmy Corydoras to my tank about 2 weeks ago. They were swimming well and exploring the tank on the first day, but have since hide most of the time. I can occasionally spot them coming out and school with the Espei Rasboras, but would quickly retreat into the thick plants when I approach the tank. They would come out and rest on the carpet/plants only after lights out.

I've been dropping micro pellets and food behind the driftwoods and plants just so they won't starve (seems to be working as they don't have sunken bellies).

My tank is heavily planted with lots of hiding spots. All my other faunas are doing well (actively swimming, no signs of stress, no gasping of air), and my CPDs hardly ever hide.

Tank: 60-P (3 months old)
Lights: Led 36w at 80% intensity for 7 hours
CO2: 2.5bps (Drop checker green) during photo-period
NO3: 10~20ppm
PO4: 1ppm
pH: 7.5/6.5 +- (pre/post CO2)
kH: 3
gH: 6

Plants: Thick bushy Rotala background, full Monte Carlo carpet (very little exposed substrate), Anubias, Blyxa J.

Fauna:
- 10x Espei Rasboras
- 9x Celestial Pearl Danios
- 2x Otocinclus
- 3x Nerite Snails
- 12x RCS

I'm thinking of swapping out my CPDs for more Pygmy Corydoras (maybe 5~10 more). Will this help to make them less shy and not hide all the time?

[TheAquarist]

Isnt 5 abit little for pgymy?


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[Ivan Choo]

@TheAquarist: The 5 Pygmy were given to me, hadn't kept this fish before (I'm quite new to this hobby).


Would the lack of exposed substrate make a less conducive environment to keep them?


I'm just afraid of introducing 10 more fishes that hide all the time. I think extracting them from the tank is near impossible short of a teardown.

[qool]

More fishes will tend to make them braver and come out more often.

One tip try luring them out with Sera O nip if you have feeding tray (place in out in front) just place 1/4 tablet there and observe. I did that with my hastatus now they are auto train to come out even when hiding cannot resist the taste.

[Ivan Choo]

@qool thanks for the tip! I've been dropping the Sera O nip behind the driftwood and can spot them feasting on it. Will try your method!