Panda Cory aggression?

[Wolfgangs246]

Hi Guys,

Wanna check with all of you if you happen to know about Panda Cory's and if they can be aggressive?

For the last few days I've been noticing that out of my 4 panda's, 2 of them seem to pursue and harass a single member of the group. I don't know why and I don't know enough about them to tell if they are trying to mate or if they are picking on him/her.

It doesnt look like play because they never seem to stop, even if that single stops to rest these other 2 will land and butt at it until it takes off running again. I'm afraid of them stressing it out till it dies. I've tried tapping the side of he tank and it seems to break them up. Can anyone give me some advice?

[stormhawk]

Hello Adrian,

To answer your question, it is possible that your Pandas are beginning to spawn. Males will nudge the sides of a larger female to induce her into spawning. They are not known to be aggressive fish.

[Wolfgangs246]

Thanks Stormhawk. I have a couple more questions.
1) Is it common for more than 1 male to pursue a female at a time during this process?

2) Are there signs that I can look out for that would indicate a difference between a female in heat and one being harassed?

3) Assuming it really is a mating ritual thats happening, is there some place you can recommend for me to read up on the appropriate care that I will need to give them to have a successful pregnancy?

Thanks so much for your info!

[stormhawk]

Hi Adrian, glad to be of help. I'll answer your questions to the best of my ability.

1) Yes it is common for several males to pursue a female throughout the day.

2) It's hard to say. Females ready to spawn would be pretty plump to begin with. The males will pursue any female relentlessly.

3) A mating pair of Corydoras will assume a T-position, with the male perpendicular to the female. The female will nudge the male's flanks as he curves his body into a C-shape. During this time the female will produce a few eggs and hold them in her pelvic fins which form a pouch of sorts. The male will release sperm as she nudges his flank. After this the male remains in a curled position for a few seconds before moving off, and the females goes to find a spot to deposit her eggs, usually the tank wall or some plants near a water outlet or where there is a current.

There are many sites out there to answer your queries regarding successful Corydoras breeding. Some people will use breeding mops to collect the eggs like how some people breed non-annual killifish, or just scrape off the eggs gently from wherever they are laid in the tank. The fry stand a better chance being raised in a separate tank with a sponge filter, or in a fine-meshed breeder cage in the parents tank. They will feed from the bottom most of the time, so infusoria and microworms will usually be used for the first few days. After which you can move on to BBS, daphnia and other fry foods.

Corydoras fry will change pattern and finnage as they grow up. They initially look like tadpoles before the tail, dorsal, adipose and anal fins start to form.