04-17-2013, 07:51 PM
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We are often out with our cory numbers, for several reasons. I try to get 5-6 of a species, but due to high cost for some I may go with three. [I keep them all together in my 5-foot tank, and currently have close to 40 corys.] Sometimes a store will only have 1 or 2 of a species, so I only buy them. And sometimes you lose a fish over time, and may not be able to find the species again.
I don't know exactly how the "five" number came up, but several highly experienced ichthyologists have used it as minimum for corys. The more the better of course. But having mixed species does allow you to have fewer of each species, whatever the reason.
I've had these groups (30-60 corys of various species) in my tanks for many years now, and it has been interesting to observe when they stay with their own species and when they don't. Some species are more prone for remaining together, others rarely do, and some never unless they are stressed (when being moved to a new tank or something). Of course, they know the others are in the tank, and this may satisfy their inherent need for a group. They seem very relaxed generally, and fry do appear from some rather tricky species, so I have to assume they are settled.