Baby corydoras
 

Hi!
We bought six baby cories yesterday: three grey and three albinos. They look healthy, but I'm afraid they are experiencing some stress.

Firstly, they seem to move too fast along the tank walls and rise to the higher levels (I know they gulp air, but this is just roaming at the higher levels).

Secondly,The white ones do not stay together, maybe they are blind? Barbs sometimes peck them but they are not aggressive, just curious, always looking for food.

The water parameters are tested, and as I understand the water is hard. PH level is 7,2, as to the ammonia I am no sure, the test doesn't give this parameter.

We have more cories in the other, smaller tank. They grew up from babies, but I do not remember them to be so nervous. They were also pretty shy and remain shy to this day, although they are quite big now.

I bought them for our new tank - 80g - which we are setting up. Besides, I just love those guys - they look so busy and intelligent and roll their eyes in a funny way!

Will the albinos survive? Aren't they more susceptible to stress?

Re: Baby corydoras
 

Hi Mirta. This is perfectly normal behavior and nothing to worry about.

Although Corys shoal, there are many times when they will just cruise around the tank on their own, with the group coming together and again, going their separate ways. The less threatened they feel, the more often they will be on their own. Again, perfectly normal behavior.

You may want to investigate the water parameters more closely with a good, multi-function water testing kit. Keep in mind that in most instances, Corys will be the last fish in the tank to show signs of distress from poor water quality. You will more than likely have other fish die, before your Corys show a hint of discomfort.

Different groups will react in different ways, influenced by many factors, It's almost like comparing apples and oranges.

I hope they bring you lots of enjoyment.

I have a feeling that they are fine. If they are mobile and eating, chances are that they just need to get settled in, while you work on getting a better reading of all the water parameters. Good luck. - Frank

I agree, they are probably going to be fine but get a master kit to check your parameters as well if you can. It's always good to know what's going on in your tank.

In an 80g tank, they will be absolutely wonderful to watch! I moved mine from a 10g to a 30g, and then added some more and I would never go back to having them in a smaller tank again!

Thank you so much for your replies Frank and Julie!

I am so happy to confirm that everything you are saying is absolutely true! The little guys are just very active and constantly looking for food. They also like playing with tiger barbs. After all they are just kids!

But it's true, I have to buy a better test kit for my tanks. I am surprised to have this one faulty, they assured me in the shop that it is good, but they obviously do not know themselves.

My Cories like veg pellets but so do all the rest of the tank inhabitants! So the little ones have to struggle for the scraps.

I can't wait till I put them into the big tank!

Corys Diet
 

My pleasure. Make sure your Corys get a varied diet. They won't do well on just those tabs. Regards. - Frank

Oh they get plenty of varied food!
By the way, can I give them some boiled egg yolk?

What age are they? If they're still fry then yes, but include baby brine shrimp in their diet as well.

Hi. Yes, you can give it to fry, but right along-side "liquifry" - it's the nastiest thing you can put in your water. With so many hassle-free foods available, I don't know whay anyone would bother. IMHO and your mileage may vary. - Frank

Frank, what would you feed cory fry? I am currently feeding mine a mixture of the egg yolk and brine shrimp as I thought this was what was best for them.

Fry Food
 

Hi Julie. Depends on the size of the wigglers. For small wigglers I use "sponge filter squeezins," then powdered, premoistened high-quality flake food." For larger wigglers I use Hikari First Bites, crushed flake and decapsulated non-hatching brine shrimp eggs. I stopped hatching BBS about 3 years ago, and have never looked back. Hope this helps. - Frank