Making a Choice

treyes111

treyes111

Small Fish
#1
Jan 1, 2008
28
0
1
47
Albany NY
#1
Hi all

I'm doing some planning for down the line regarding stocking my 55 gal. Time for a low level kinda guy

I've seen that there are a ton of people that seem fond of the cory cat's, but for whatever reason, they don't do it for me (sorry)

I was looking thru loaches in the profiles, and kinda like the idea of a kuhlli loach

they look kinda strange, which would be cool. I also kinda like the idea that they would burrow thru the gravel. I think the driftwood plants I have would be plenty of cover. Cleaning up extra food is a plus, but I'll get them some of their own food, cause I don't want to overfeed the others just to get to them

Any cons in a tank of black skirt tetras, serpaes, and white clouds?

Thanks in advance.

Tom
 

Lotus

Lotus

Ultimate Fish
Moderator
#2
Aug 26, 2003
15,115
13
38
Southern California
home.earthlink.net
#2
If you decide on kuhlis, get a larger number of them. At least three, better with six or more. They're social creatures.

White clouds like lower temperatures, and may have a shorter life in tropical temperature tanks. Serpaes and black skirts are both known to be nippy. If you plan on more peaceful fish in the future, they could be a problem.
 

T

trailmule

Large Fish
#5
Jan 2, 2008
126
0
0
#5
When I was a kid, my Dad always had fish, and always had a bunch of kuhli loaches. I love them! With the proper substrate (sand I believe) they will burrow and such. Gravel may be to heavy for them to move, and depending on the type, may damage their skin.

And they just look neat! So if you are willing to set up the bottom of the tank to their liking, they will make a awesome addition to the lower levels of your tank.

If you can find them - go for it! They are fun to watch.

-TM
 

treyes111

treyes111

Small Fish
#6
Jan 1, 2008
28
0
1
47
Albany NY
#6
when the time comes, I am thinking the kuhliis or the loaches. I don't want it to get too crowded down there.

As for the shrimp, will they strictly stay on the bottom/gravel, or would they climb on the plants and driftwood?

For kicks I stopped at the local shop and they had a few, but they were the brown (or black, I forgot) kind. I was hoping to see the orange/black striped ones, but the woman said the usually only get the ones they had. Still plenty of time to look tho
 

T

trailmule

Large Fish
#7
Jan 2, 2008
126
0
0
#7
You may have to look for the kuhlis. My lfs doesn't have them either. I have never ordered fish online, but it may be an option. I am sure someone on the site has ordered fish off the internet and could tell you about the experience.

What other fish are you planning on keeping? Depending on that, 5 or 6 kuhlis may not be overcrowded...

-TM
 

treyes111

treyes111

Small Fish
#8
Jan 1, 2008
28
0
1
47
Albany NY
#8
whoops, in my last post I meant to say kuhliis or shrimp, but not both

as of now just the serpaes, black skirts, and white clouds. They are all in schools of 6, and seem content with each other, so I am hoping nipping won't be a problem

I'm not sure of much else in the future, but I don't want there to be much more. an equal school of the kuhliis will pretty much do it for me I think
 

brian1973

brian1973

Superstar Fish
#12
Jan 20, 2008
2,001
3
38
Corpus Christi, Texas
#12
I personally like striped raphael cats..I dont really like corys either. The only problem is the striped raphaels stay hidden most of the day, but occassionaly I see them out prowling during the day. Another interesting cat is the bumblebee but they to stay out of sight during the day.
 

Last edited:
treyes111

treyes111

Small Fish
#13
Jan 1, 2008
28
0
1
47
Albany NY
#13
weelllllllllll,

in the end, it turned out to be 4 peppered corys.

I ran all over the capital district, and all I could find is the brown/black (sorry I still forget) kuhllis. I'd pretty much given up on it. In the mean time, we did pick up a few ghost shrimp. The serpaes really seemed to love 'em, so they were basically $.33 treats, no biggy.

Last night while we were out, she started doing the "this is cute, thats cute" bs (which drives me batty, because she wants to pick out random fish and just throw them in the tank. if it were up to here, we would have angel fish, oscars, and gouramis. anyway).

She points out the corys, and after looking at the 5 or 6 different types (no pygmys, which is what I was hoping for) we settle on the peppereds. I'm cool with it, I think it will finally make her happy, away we go. No sooner that we hit the sidewalk, she's like "I didn't want those fish, you should have got your loaches, blah blah blah"

Too bad, too late. I have actually warmed up to them quite a bit. I got tiny little guys, and they are all over the gravel. Aside from the quick swim to the surface, they are the perfect compliment to my school of white clouds, which never seems to go any deeper than 6 inches from the surface. They were even all "sleeping" together in a little huddle when I turned on the lights this morning.

Moral of the story: find a 4 year old to go fish shopping with you, and leave your 27 year old girlfriend home.

And corys are cool little fish, which makes me feel a little bad about being so hard on them at first
 

TabMorte

TabMorte

Superstar Fish
#14
Jan 17, 2008
1,470
0
0
#14
She'll warm up to them too. The Peppered Cory is a very social and active fish you'll really like them especially having a school. Just like your girlfriend I was like 'ew' when I first saw them but the pet store woman was like 'you need a bottom feeder'. Now the cories are by far my favorite fish in the tank. I love the way they herd together through the tank and like you say they huddle. Give them some cover to hide in, they are theoretically nocturnal (though mine are very active during the day) and make sure you toss them an algae wafer now and then and some sinking shrimp pellets or something as a treat and they'll be happy as can be.
 

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