new fishies

NoaDon12

i got sum new fish today, and i'm wondering if anyone knows how to tell if a bloodfin tetra is a boy or a girl. i also got 1 julii cory, i also would like to know if it is a boy or a girl. thnx!!!
-NoaDon12-

Byron

Can be very difficult with both species. We have a section here called "Tropical Fish Profiles" with information on many species; bloodfins are included, here is the direct link:
http://www.tropicalfishkeeping.com/p...loodfin-tetra/
As it will tell you there, males are slightly more colourful and have a small hook on the anal fin. If the fish are quite small (young), this will not be easy to spot.

Another important point: tetras (which are "characins" as in the profiles) are shoaling fish that live together in large groups; kept singly or even two, they will be stressed and this causes health problems because it affects their immune systems. If you like the bloodfins, try to get a few more; a group of 5 is about minimum, but if you have space (say a 20g or larger tank) 7-8 would be better. Same applies to all characins.

Julii corys are not in the Profiles yet, but all Corydoras are the same with respect to external indications of sex: none. Females are usually rounder, when viewed from above, though this is only reliable with mature fish. Also, they must be in a group; corydoras are very social fish, always found in large groups in their native habitat, and they interact continuously. A group of 3 (if you have a small tank, like a 10g) or perhaps 4-5 in a 20g, would be good.

Byron.

NoaDon12

oh, ok! so next time i go to petco, i will get 2 more corys, and 2 bloodfin tetras!!! thnx!!! and p.s. my cory doesn't really eat, is it because he eats lefovers at the bottom of the tank all day, or should i be concerned?
-NoaDon12- :)

Byron

Some fish take a while to settled into a new home. Your cory is on his/her own, so that makes it more nervous too. Just leave it be, fish can go quite a spell without food. You will need some good tablet or pellet food, that sinks. Flake food that just happens to reach the bottom will not be sufficient. Don't overfeed or the water can become polluted.

Byron.

NoaDon12

thanks alot, and one more question about the bloodfin tetras, do they normally have a dominant tetra in a school? i'm just wondering cuz one of them is just bossing around the others. and the cory being alone will be fixed this weekend. thnx!!!
-NoaDon12- :)

Byron

How many of the bloodfins do you have now? In small groups, of two or three, this is sometimes a problem, but with larger groups of 5-6 or more it is less so. All characins (tetras) have a social structure and what many call a "pecking order" so this is natural and rarely in most species does it lead to injury. But again, with 2 or 3 fish it can, because the fish are not in their proper and preferred "element" so to speak.

NoaDon12

ok, another question!!! i got 1 more bloodfin, they are all fine. but i got 2 more julii corys, one of them is acting not normal-ish. just sitting at the bottom of the tank, doesn't move at all. i know he/she is alive cuz he/she blinks every once and a while. i also noticed some fading of colors in the same one. the other new one sits at the bottom of the tank as well, but he changes position every three minuets. however, his/her colors have not faded. i hpe they arent sick!!! are they? pleeeeeeeeze respond!!!!!!!!!
-NoaDon12-

Byron

Probably due to being moved to a different/new tank; corys don't like being moved. Assuming they are OK health-wise, they will settle in which can take a few days or even longer. As long as your water conditions are good, there shouldn't be a problem.

NoaDon12

OK, GOOD!!!!!!!!!!!! it's just funny to see the cory that's already used to the tank nudge the others looking for food! and i tested my water, its about 7.6................... is it ok? thnx!!!!!!!!!
-NoaDon12-

Byron

By water conditions I was thinking more of ammonia and nitrite, as I believe this is a relatively new aquarium. As long as the water quality is OK, and pH is constant, fine.