I've been casually looking at cory catfish in pet stores around here, and looking at pictures of them on here, and they've really grown on me! So, I've been considering buying one for my tank, but I wanted to see if it would work before I actually spent money.

I have a 10 gallon with 5 zebra danios, 5 neon tetras. I want to say I read something in a topic a while back that someone's cories gobbled their tetras right off the tank bottom at night.... I definetly don't want that.

One cory ok? I think maybe someone told me they prefer to be in a group....

Anyways, it's just a thought. Input is greatly appreciated!

Hi there Petperson! You're right, cory cats are very cute and they do grow on you. I have 4 of them now in my 20 gallon with my tetras and they are wonderful.


I don't remember ever hearing anything like that. They're peaceful little fish, I don't even know if they're capable of eating another fish.


They do prefer to be in groups, I wouldn't get just one. I orgionally bought 2, then about 6 months later got 2 more. The funny thing is the origonal pair and the 'new' pair tend to stick together, but the 4 of them are never too far apart.

My only concern is your tank size. I think you'd be pushing it to put any more fish into your 5 gallon.

Yup cories prefer to be in groups.

5-6 would be a good number, but the more the merrier in this case. Cories are shoaling fish, and you see a lot more interesting behaviour when they are in larger groups. For example, they like to crowd surf against the water current when in larger groups.

I started w/ 3 panda cories. But have added 3 more since then. I also keep 6 br
nze cories, and 19 pygmy cories. 
Generally I think 5-6 minimum would be a good number to start, as you will see a whole range of different behaviours. Seems like they're very sociable and peaceful fish.

As for them gobbling up little fish at night, I am not sure if it happens frequently. Often times when you see them eat other fish, it is probably because the fish had died already, and the cories are scavenging.

Most corydoras species are relatively undemanding and very peaceful. They do not care much for territory.

Corys like to school and there is nothing like seeing a group of 9+ swim along the bottom of a tank. They need to be in atleast a group of 3, preferably 5-6. They will not bother other fish and most of the time, other fish don't bother them as they are a catfish breed. I don't reccomend any more in your 10g as it is pretty heavily stocked as it is.

Not a good idea for those danios to be in a 10gallon. They are very active, and really need a 20+ tank for swimming space.

I definitely would not add any more fish.

Thanks for the info, guys!

Sounds like cories wouldn't be their happiest/healthiest in my tank, since I don't have the space for a big enough group, so I'll pass.
Maybe someday....

Chrissy~ Maybe it was a pleco that I read was eating fish.....

I've had cories in with danios and recently found out something--the danios never bothered my spotted cories but they nip the fins on my albinos!! I just had to remove the albinos as I saw a danio nipping and the cories fins look awful. But I had a spotted cory in with them for months and his fins were always perfect. Weird, huh??

Cory's are awesome I originally got them for my trop tank as a cleanup fish but now they're my favourite fish in their. I suggest pandas.

That's really odd, Kristi. Good thing you could move the cory, though!

Yeah, but I had to move the albinos in with my rainbow shark--also a bottom feeder and kinda territorial! I've been watching them closely to see if that's going to work or not. At first Rusty, my shark, was a bit agitated, or maybe confused is a better term! He chased after them a few times but now he "seems" to have accepted them and just goes on about his business.

Kristi, try to make sure there are plenty of hiding spots, caves, etc in the tank and that should help. Are they still getting along?

OK, I was thinking some more......LOL

What about cherry shrimp? Would they be able to live in my tank?

Yes, they are getting along for the most part. Everything was fine until I gave Rusty one of his favorite sinking pellet treats today. Then if the cats got too close he would dart out of his lair and chase them away. Otherwise he's been ignoring them. More hidey holes sound like a good idea! Of course I may have to move them as well but am running out of room.


Don't know anything about cherry shrimp but they are kinda cute!