Tiny Cories

[RonWill]

Well... I almost tagged along a combined order for 10 or 20pcs of C. hastatus together with a fellow member who was returning to SG from HK, I think. Even though hand-carried, landed cost would have been between SG$6-7 each. Memory isn't what it used to be but IIRC, he was "Scope" or Joe... I really can't remember which.

Due to foreseeable unpleasant changes with work (and the worst did eventually happened), I had to bail out before the final count was completed. There are 2 breeding groups of C. hastatus that I know of and if luck would have it, I might be getting my grubby hands on them. These do not belong to me (although I wished they did) but still, I'd love to see little 'hassies' scooting around.

For now, I'm just happy that the C. habrosus have spawned and I'm caring for about 10 'habbies', growing out in a plastic tub (too unsightly to present) but will upload some pics when they've grown larger.

Together with another kaki, I've also ordered 100pcs of C. pygmaeus 'Peru'. Half of these will join my harem and yep... I plan to breed these again as well. If Wright is reading this, I pray he's doing well and hasn't given up hope on receiving these tiny cories.

[vannel]

I wouldnt have expected that people would be turned off by $6-7 per piece of C. Hastatus..! I would be quite glad to pay that amount of money. Considering so many people are looking for it in Singapore to no avail, that would have been quite the steal, imho.

Anyone has an overseas contact for them C. Hastatus..? I'd love to combine my order and get a group of them in after a few years of not seeing them in the market. In fact, I would be interested in getting my hands on the other 3 rare dwarf cories (C. Gracilis, C. Xinguensis, C. Cochui) just because they are -that- much rarer.

[YeoQK]

Hi. i'm new here. Just wanna ask some of the ways to raise c.habrosus fry?

Regards
yeo quan kai

[soltari007]

Has anyone ever tried buying cories from overseas websites? I have been wondering about aquabid and other U.S. based merchant sites but am unsure if I am allowed to ship fishes into SG. Also, has anyone ever tried buying C. Hastatus from overseas? I've always wondered why none of the LFSes are bringing in this particular subspecies anymore. I don't think they are that rare in other countries like Hong Kong, Taiwan or the U.S. Is it just a matter of shipping costs?

It is probably a matter of DOA of this particular species, they don't travel very well.

[vannel]

That's very sad news. However, that being said, I would probably take the leap of faith and order some in future.

[RonWill]

I would be interested in getting my hands on the other 3 rare dwarf cories (C. Gracilis, C. Xinguensis, C. Cochui)

You're not alone in wanting them but danged... they're gonna cost an arm, probably a leg too

BTW, Samuel, I was beginning to wonder when you'll be popping into this thread
Edit: I went through your blog and can confirm that C. oiapoquensis and C. hasbrosus will thrive and breed in our local climate, albeit during the monsoon season. I've also just acquired a small young-adult group of C. atropersonatus and will be working on these, together with Benny's C. napoensis.

[vannel]

I am always jealous that I can only ever have 1 tank in my room. Cant wait till my house is built.. Then, I'll probably be able to start up alot more tanks.

On another note, is anyone actually using ketapang (or any other) leaves in their cory tank? Especially for those cories hailing from blackwater rivers (like my recent C. Habrosus purchase).

Also, google has done nothing but make me wonder even more on the question of water flow in a cory tank. Some sources say to use a sponge filter for mild flow. Others say their cories love the current and they really overfiltrate with external filters. Anyone ever come to a verdict? Perhaps I should really sign up for membership to corydorasworld and read upon what the experts have to say.

[RonWill]

I use ketapang leaves in most of my tanks or at least use their tea for specific purposes. Don't mind the brownish water caused by tannins or the detritus it leaves behind.

IMHE, the flow rate is not particularly important but cories love to 'surf the tide'. What's more important, I think, is a comfortable temperature that is conducive to their well-being and for breeding.

BTW, Vannel, I'm Ronnie. How do I address you?

[vannel]

Hey Ronnie, it's Dennis here. I actually spoke to you whilst at the shop. You would probably remember me speaking about getting myself some C. Hastatus when I travel to HK during the year end. I sure hope that they are in season (which they should be since September marks the start of the low water season where C. Hastatus are caught. A source of mine told me they will only be able to efficiently catch wild specimens when the water level is lower.) then and I'm going to need alot of luck to find them in the maze of aquariums there.

This being said, I am also currently trying to contact some overseas suppliers to see if they would be willing to ship some over to Singapore for me. Fingers crossed on that one. Might ask on the forums to see if others might be interested so that we all save on shipping costs if the supplier replies positively.

[RonWill]

Heh... you spoke to the 'other' Ronnie, the shopmaster, but it's ok. We're in constant contact or at least we try

Whilst in HK, I think most will visit 'Goldfish Street' and perhaps those who have visited the said area can provide more location details, etc. Thinking aloud, it's somewhat sad that some of the crème de la crème fishes never hit our shores for the simple fact that other places are more willing to pay premium prices, and it isn't just Corydoras species.

Hopefully the hastatus aren't gonna cost a gazillion bucks or I'll have to scale down my targeted numbers. Will be searching through local channels and we'll see what turns up.

[vannel]

Ah! My bad on the mixup. Somehow I just associated you and him together since he's also into Corydoras as well and has the same name (granted I don't really know his surname). Haha.

Anyway, I think the C. Hastatus in HK's famed Goldfish Street don't cost alot. At least not from reading through the various chinese websites/forums. I am also looking forward to anyone bringing in the said species of Corydoras into Singapore. Should you feel like you wouldn't mind spending abit more on those cories, do tell. We could combine our orders for it and have them shipped into Singapore. I know they don't travel very well, but hey, as they always say "no pain no gain". I'm quite willing to pay for any form of express international shipping should you find a respectable vendor.

Keep me updated!

[Wackytpt]

Hastatus are poor travellers. So be preapre to have heavy casualties. They are one of my favourite and am search for them.

[ahkiatz]

Been experiencing sudden death from my C.Habrosus this few days. Bought them few months ago, quite stable til the day before yesterday. Ever since, i've been experiencing death of my C.Habrosus everyday. Anyone got it before? Tried change water, put in quarantine tank but they're still dying one by one.

[vannel]

Hastatus are poor travellers. So be preapre to have heavy casualties. They are one of my favourite and am search for them.

Just wondering. I have read in previous AQ threads about the C. Hastatus being "poor travellers". However, how much of that is true? I haven't really read anywhere where someone has said that they have attempted to ship some of them into Singapore and have had heavy casualties from the process. Also, how heavy is heavy? 50%..? I'm really just trying to get a feel of things before I jump on the bandwagon and buy some cories from overseas. I reckon after so many years of breeding C. Hastatus by people in TW and HK, we should have a good stock of C. Hastatus in the immediate region even if they are not wild caught. People in other countries are getting it.. So, why not us?

[vannel]

Been experiencing sudden death from my C.Habrosus this few days. Bought them few months ago, quite stable til the day before yesterday. Ever since, i've been experiencing death of my C.Habrosus everyday. Anyone got it before? Tried change water, put in quarantine tank but they're still dying one by one.

Have you tested your water params? Did anything change lately (added new plant? added new rock? changed your conditioning product? temperature?) in your tank? Are the rest of them still eating well? Sorry for the many questions, but without information, it's really hard to do any form of diagnosis.

[ahkiatz]

Have you tested your water params? Did anything change lately (added new plant? added new rock? changed your conditioning product? temperature?) in your tank? Are the rest of them still eating well? Sorry for the many questions, but without information, it's really hard to do any form of diagnosis.

Ph 6.7. Nth new added except change of anti-chlorine from NutraFin to Seachem Prime. All my other cories, i.e sterbai, metae, pygemus and dupli are doing well. Only C.habrosus having sudden death.

[vannel]

Hrm, Seachem Prime is a well known product with awesome reviews. I'd probably rule that out as the problem. What about the other parameters (No2, No3, Kh, Gh)? I'm at a loss as well since the rest of the cories in your comm tank seem to be doing well, especially since you do have a smaller cory in there as well (which would rule out the C. Habrosus getting pushed around). Have you noticed any of their barbels in bad condition/lost..?

Perhaps it would be best if you are able to do abit of sand/gravel vacumn to get rid of anything unwanted which might be causing the issue. Also, I reckon you should continue with the water changes to ensure water quality is top-notch.

[ahkiatz]

water changes is thrice a week 50% each time. Just clean the sand, but found nothing. All dead with barbels intacts. Guess i have to solve the problem myself. Thanks.

[vannel]

Sorry about not being able to help you out in this respect. I'm not an expert in this field and alot of other people would probably be better suited to help you out. I've barely just started out on keeping Corydoras myself.

[RonWill]

water changes is thrice a week 50% each time

Is there a reason for THAT MUCH water change 3 times a week??? What are you feeding??? Danged... I'd be happy if I could do 10% once every 3 weeks!!