Bottom dwellers like Panda Corydoras is very popular aquarium occupants. The contrast of black and white against the substrate and other decorations such as driftwood makes them stand out from the crowd. But just because you place some of these bottom dwelling species into your tank doesn’t mean that they will live.
To keep them alive, you has to provide what they need. Failing to do so will result in stressed fish and dead fishes. Filtration and other water parameters gets a lot of attention from beginners.
However, they frequently overlook the tanks social structure. By nature, panda corydoras is schooling fish. Alone and even in very small numbers, they don’t fare well.
Essential Care Tips For Panda Corydoras
Why Panda Corydoras Need Schooling
How many you have determine their health and how they behave. You need at least six individuals. These fish naturaly live in large schools.
You can’t has that many in an aquarium. However, you should try to copy that dynamic. Here’s the deal: Have at least six specimens.
That’s biology. Anything less result in a fish that lacks security. They’ll hide behind ornaments and among plants.
They’ll hardly venture out for food. A shoal protects them from stressors. There are at least six.
Ideally eight or more. The larger the number then better because you see the natural behavior come out. They is schooling up and moving together.
That tells me they feel secure. Secure fish is exploring and foraging. Four looks nervous.
Eight look like it’s got something going on. Anybody can tell by looking at them. The second limitation is tank itself.
Tank Size and Spacing Requirements
Ten fish don’t fit into a small tank. Consider each fish floor space. One rule of thumb is two gallons per cory.
A twenty gallon tank is not bad; that’s a good beginning. There is plenty of water volume and plenty of surface area. They will be crowded.
They’re prolific producers of waste. Their delicate barbels can suffers from poor water quality, and sharp substrate can also damage them. All Corydoras species are sensitive to water quality.
Water Quality and Filtration Care
Nitrites and ammonia will kill a Panda Cory. Chemicals is absorbed through the skin of these fish. Regular water changes are required.
Test regularly. If you have a crash in your cycle, Panda Corys will die rapidly. These fish may be peaceful but they’re fragile.
They don’t fight. They just fade away. They just dissapears.
Taking care of the water should of protect them. What type of gravel substrate do you keep? Barbels are sensitive organs, similar to whiskers.
Choosing the Right Substrate
They’re how they hunt for food at night. If their barbels gets torn up, they can’t eat well which means they will starve or become infected. Try to provide rounded gravel or fine sand that is smooth to the touch.
Let them dig. That’s what they would of do in nature. This makes them more comfortabley and lets them feed.
Feeding Diet and Tips
Sinking pellets supplemented with frozen or live foods Panda Corys are picky. They is scavengers. They will NOT eat floating flakes.
Pointed mouth points down. Need food to hit the bottom. Feed some bloodworms/daphnia as supplement.
Keep diet varied for a healthy cory. Watch how they eat. Some might not be getting food because other fish hogs it.
Spread food out; feed more often. Make sure all fish is eating. Panda Corydoras need time.
Patience is a virtue when you keep them. Caring for them isn’t only about keeping water but also building a society. Begin with a well set-up tank of suitable size containing at least eight corys.
Offer them clean water and some smooth sand. Stand aside and let them go. Each one will show his/her own personality.
Be aware that their beauty is fragile. It depends on you. Let them have their company and space.
For years they’ll be the highlight of your aquarium.
