Corydoras not surviving

**sage08** · 3rd Jan 2006, 16:18

My 2 albino cory and 1 leopard skin cory died not too long ago. I am left with only one leopard skin cory. I was wondering is it due to my water too deep (depth:- 45cm) or the subtrate (inert fine rocks) or because they starved to death due to no food reaching to the bottom as most will be cleared by the middle and surface swimmers. There r lots of plants and algae though. It's a 6 months tank. Can anyone shed some light as i thought tht corys esp albinos are quite hardy.

**|squee|** · 3rd Jan 2006, 17:21

They died of disease or hunger?

I thought corys needed food for themselves, like algae wafers and stuff like that. They shouldn't be scrouging on the bottom for leftover fish food.

**Justikanz** · 3rd Jan 2006, 17:33

Corydoras spp. are not algae eaters. They would appreciate being fed though in nature, they are known as scavengers. Try feeding live worms or bigger food pellets that sink to the tank floor faster than the fish can grab. The bigger size will prevent the fish from swollowing it before it hits the tank floor for the corys.

Also, it is important to ensure that the gravel used do not contain large grains with sharp edges. The corys' barbels are sensitive and can be cut/worn off by the sharp edges and setting off secondary infection, killing the fish...

**jja** · 3rd Jan 2006, 17:51

Originally Posted by sage08

My 2 albino cory and 1 leopard skin cory died not too long ago. I am left with only one leopard skin cory. I was wondering is it due to my water too deep (depth:- 45cm) or the subtrate (inert fine rocks) or because they starved to death due to no food reaching to the bottom as most will be cleared by the middle and surface swimmers. There r lots of plants and algae though. It's a 6 months tank. Can anyone shed some light as i thought tht corys esp albinos are quite hardy.

i have some cories that i wish to clear. interested?

**sage08** · 5th Jan 2006, 11:59

Hi jja,

Thanks. Where's the collection point and what species are they?

**jja** · 5th Jan 2006, 12:28

Originally Posted by sage08

Hi jja,

Thanks. Where's the collection point and what species are they?

Most of them taken up this morning.. Will check what I have left

**taz_boy** · 5th Jan 2006, 13:24

My 3 corys also now left 1, the other 2 not sure how they die. Found 1 of the bodies under my taiwan moss mesh during my maintainance recently.

I bought 1 bottle of pellets meant for bottom feeders, but they don't eat....don't know why....

**cs_sg** · 6th Jan 2006, 01:17

I feed my pygmy cories with sinking algae wafer. You may want to try that

I feed my angels enough first (to distract them) before dropping in an algae wafer which I break up into smaller pieces.

**mordrake** · 6th Jan 2006, 11:19

fishes die from hunger, disease from poor water condition, incompatible water parameter, bullying (attack), etc.

assuming that the reason for your cories' demise is hunger, i would strongly recommend you to get hikari algae wafers. it sinks fairly quickly and cories love it.

**taz_boy** · 6th Jan 2006, 17:52

alamak,wasted $$ to buy bottom feeders pellet, should have bought algae wafers instead

**cs_sg** · 6th Jan 2006, 18:00

Originally Posted by taz_boy

alamak,wasted $$ to buy bottom feeders pellet, should have bought algae wafers instead

I don't know why your cories won't eat those bottom feeders pellet.

I only feed my fish and shrimps 'Tetrabits' and Hikari Sinking Algae Wafers.
My cories do eat the tetrabits if its not 'snatched' by the fish and yamatoes.

Maybe you can get some floating pellets to lure the fish and use a tweezer to place the sinking pellets near the area where your cories usually hangout?

**Justikanz** · 6th Jan 2006, 22:46

Corys are NOT vegetarian... They WILL eat the sinking pellets as well as the algae wafers. Please do not force them to keep to eating only algae wafers. Give them variety.

Anyway, if enough food falls to the tank bottom, they will start to forage... If they are slow, try feeding after the tank lights are off to lower the competition from the tankmates...

**mordrake** · 6th Jan 2006, 23:38

yes, variety is always good for the fishes.
algae wafers works cos it sinks n breaks down slowly giving the cories a chance of getting to the food.
i feed a variety of bits, bloodworm, flakes, mysis, pellets, brineshrimp, cyclopeeze to my fishes. the cories will just whack whatever they can find on the bottom.

**Ah_ZhaN** · 7th Jan 2006, 06:46

Originally Posted by Justikanz

Corys are NOT vegetarian... They WILL eat the sinking pellets as well as the algae wafers. Please do not force them to keep to eating only algae wafers. Give them variety.

Anyway, if enough food falls to the tank bottom, they will start to forage... If they are slow, try feeding after the tank lights are off to lower the competition from the tankmates...

Yes bro, stick to this advice and nothing will go wrong for your cories.

Occasionally cories will greatly appreciate tubifex worms too...