I have 3 corydora catfish and they all swim around like crazy, but one will swim around in circles and then lay on the bottom of the tank for 10 seconds. Is this normal behavior? All the other fish are acting alright?
2006-12-06 01:08:47 · 7 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Fish
He wizzes around, then lays on the gravel perfectly still. When I first saw him do it, I thought he was dying : ( . But you think its normal?
2006-12-06 01:22:04 · update #1
One interesting characteristic that they possess is the ability to utilize atmospheric air, an adaptation that enables them to survive in waters of low oxygen content. Corydoras are able to absorb the atmospheric oxygen through the capillaries in their intestines, and after doing that they go down to the tank bottom in order to accumulate the oxygen in their bloodstream. Fishkeepers call this "playing dead".
They can frequently be seen making a mad dash to the surface for a quick gulp of air, which they then swallow. Occasionally, you will see them excrete bubbles as the air passes out of their intestines. This ability to utilize atmospheric oxygen allows Corydoras to exist in water conditions that will kill other fish. This doesn't mean you should allow your tank's conditions to deteriorate to that point though.
These little fishes are excellent inhabitants for the community aquarium, being peaceful, hardy, long-lived and undemanding in their requirements. They will tolerate a wide range of water conditions, eat most foods, and have been known to live for up to twenty five years in aquaria, which is a very long life span for such small animals. If you need more information, there are many good books available that will give you detailed information on the particular fish you are interested in. I hope you get as much enjoyment from keeping Corydoras as I do.
2006-12-06 01:55:01 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
You don't say whether the cory cats are laying on their sides or just sitting on the bottom kind of supported by their lower fins.
If they are just sitting there, they are fine, corys do this all the time. If they are laying on their sides, they are on their way out (dying).
I have kept corys for years and have found that when dying of old age, they start laying on their sides. I have mistakenly tried to remove them, thinking they were dead, and had them take off swimming.
It is usually a matter of only a few weeks before they will take that final swim into that great aquarium in heaven..... that is, if they have been good little fishes.
2006-12-06 03:27:47 · answer #2 · answered by 8 In the corner 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
That sounds like pretty normal behavior for cory cats. They are kind of an odd fish. Mine will scoot around the bottom of the tank then in one quick movement shoot all the way to the surface, then go back to theere "corry cave" and i wont se em for 5-10 minutes.
IMO the only fish stranger (and in my opinion coller) than cories is clown loaches. Sometimes i'll look in my 125 gallon and see all my loachessleeping on there side!!!! Thats normal for loaches, but not other fish.
Have fun and good luck
2006-12-06 06:01:13 · answer #3 · answered by GuZZiZZit 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Corys are bottom dwelling fish. They normally stay at the bottom of the tank on the substrate.
2006-12-06 01:12:14 · answer #4 · answered by lunar_flame 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
i dont think anything is wrong with him maybe just resting? ive only had 2 cory cats they both kinda just layed around.good luck
2006-12-06 01:22:20 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
yep this is normal!
and if when you change you water, and it is just the right temp, they will have eggs/babies in no time!
2006-12-06 02:50:50 · answer #6 · answered by BubbleGumBoobs! 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
mine do the same thing it's normal.
2006-12-06 02:45:16 · answer #7 · answered by fluff_ball 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋