I have a 10 gal tank that has 2 albino cory cats in it. They used to reside with tetras and a ADF but some tetras died and I gave the remaining ones to my uncle because has a shoal of the same type and I did not want to buy more of them. The frog died last week.

Currently the tank has about 1/2- 1 inch of gravel as a substrate. It also has a cocunut shell hut as a hiding place for the corys. I keep the tank heated between 76 and 80 degrees.

I want to make the corys more happy in there. I know I need at least one more. Could I add 3 of another type too? If so what type would you reccomend? Other ideas I had were to add a group of 3 kuhli loaches if that would not overstock. Or possibly move some of the cherry shrimp from my other tropical tank.

I would like to be able to have live plants in there but the lighting system is not that good and I can't find a hood for that tank that will hold a flourescent strip. The hood holds two 15 or 30 watt bulbs. So far everything that grows well in all my other tanks just dies in the 10 gal. Any plant suggestions?

Since the other fish left/died the corys have been looking sorta glum and not playing as much as usual. Just looking for ways to make life happier for them.

My most active cory is a Black Sail who's the only cory in with a bunch of zebra danios. He did have an albino buddy for quite awhile but he died a few weeks ago. They used to hide under a log decoration sometimes but now the Black Sail is usually out roaming around. It's like he doesn't even know that he's not in with his own kind. Maybe all the danios' energy rubs off on him! Anyway, I also have 2 bronzes and an albino together in another tank and they go their separate ways most the time. From what I've heard and seen all cories get along with and like each other. But apparently they will spend more time with their own type in larger groups if they have the option.

So, you could get more albinos to see how they schoal or you can get whatever other type you want.

The two I have always seem to stick together. They have perked up a bit since I started this topic. Perhaps they were adjusting to having the tank totaly to themselves? Now if I see them outside of thir hut they don't even hide when I go over to the tank. I still want to get one more albino cory so there is a trio of them. I have thought that I might then move some of my platty/molly fry into the tank to let them grow a bit where they will not get eaten. I currently have about 20 that are just past the danger stage and another 15-20 that were born last weekend. Along with a couple of pure molly fry that are still small enough to become a meal for one of the adults.

The other thing I might try is adding some of my growing population of cherry shrimp to the tank. But I would have to get some sort of plant to grow in there first.