Corydoras for an unfiltered outdoor summer pond

tophat665

I have purchased a couple of 100 gallon stock tanks that I am putting outside to raise fish over the summer. I'm in Northern Virginia, so the average temps range through May from high of 72 and low of 47 on May 1 through a high of 78 and a low of 54 on May 31, so I am thinking that I won't be adding fish until June, but mid may, I am planning on filling them and adding substrate, plants, and some sponge filter squeezings to get some green water going, then maybe some daphnia once that's in process. Each tank is getting a Swordtail species and one or more cory species.

Now, I am thinking a dozen corys in each tank over a half sand, half gravel bottom, with some halved flowerpots, some driftwood, Java Moss, and Anachris, maybe some Wather hyacinth on the surface. Wasn't planning on filters, but I could put in a couple of big sponges if I need to aerate them.

Cory species I have on hand (number of adults):
C. aeneus (50+), C. panda (~10), C. oiquapoensis (3), C. paleatus (5), C. ernhardti (12), C. sterbae (~5), C. sp. CW010 "Gold Lazer" (~5), C. pygmaeus (~10), C. Sp. C-89 (3), C. melanistus (6), and Scleromystax barbatus (6).

The guys in blue are breeding just fine where they are (I have more C. aeneus than I know what to do with), but the other guys are ready to go. So far I am thinking all 12 of my ernhardtis in one of the tanks, and leaning towards putting the oiquapoensis and C-89s and maybe one other (Paleatus or CW010) in the other.

Advice?

aunt kymmie

I have no advice but do have a few questions. Are you doing this breeding with the intent to sell? I've looked high and low for C. pygmaeus and here you with your own successful breeders?? Do you ever ship your fish or do you sell them locally instead??

tophat665

I have a self sustaining population of C. pygmeus in a 10 gallon tank. I have enough to keep them at a more or less consistent population, but not enough to sell.