When to add cory cats?

abcdefghi

AC Members
Jun 6, 2007
1,331
5
38
My 55G is cycling nicely at the moment, and part of my stocking plan is going to be a bunch of cory cats. However, I have read that they do better when added to an established tank, how long should I leave it after my tank has cycled to add them? Do I really need to wait if the tank has cycled? I don't mind waiting, just not sure how long I should wait.

Thanks.
 
Coincidentally, I asked a similar question in this thread.

I would think you could add a few at a time, check to see the water chemistry is stable, then add some more a week later. :idea:
 
Folks:

I used 7 sterbai as well as guppies and a few plecos to cycle my tank.

Two years later 6 of the sterbai are still happy and enjoying each other.

TR
 
Corys can be sensitive to newer water so for sure wait until you have levels under control for a few weeks possibly, especially if you get a more fragile species like pandas. Maybe too cautious but I dont believe there is such a thing in this hobby ;)
 
If you can wait 2-3 months it would be better for the corys. What else are you going to put in? Cycled is not the same as established. Stable params, nice bacteria on everything, & good consistant maintence for several months at least. I know it's hard to wait & some corys seem more sensitive.
 
If you can wait 2-3 months it would be better for the corys. What else are you going to put in? Cycled is not the same as established. Stable params, nice bacteria on everything, & good consistant maintence for several months at least. I know it's hard to wait & some corys seem more sensitive.

I am fine with waiting for a couple months, the other stock is going to be 21 glowlight tetras and 3 (1M:2F) pearl gourami. I figured on waiting a while, just wanted to try and figure out how long.
 
Sounds nice. I'd do half the tetras at a time, then the gouramis, then corys after a while. You could get 6 of 1 kind then 6 of another later if you want , or just a big school of 1 type in 2 batches.
 
I would also recommend quarantining if at all possible before you add new fish...its easier and cheaper to treat a qt tank with meds if necessary than a larger display tank.
 
I would also recommend quarantining if at all possible before you add new fish...its easier and cheaper to treat a qt tank with meds if necessary than a larger display tank.

Already have a 10G ready for use as the QT tank, the filter for the 10G is sitting on the 55G so that when I need it I can just move the filter over. Been burned on not using a QT before.
 
AquariaCentral.com