San Juan cory care guide

San Juan cory tank size

The Aquarium Wiki recommends a tank volume of at least 57 L for this species. San Juan cories spend their time in the bottom levels of the aquarium, so you must provide the full group with generous, usable floor space rather than focusing solely on tank height.The Aquarium Wiki recommends a tank volume of at least 15.1 gal for this species. San Juan cories spend their time in the bottom levels of the aquarium, so you must provide the full group with generous, usable floor space rather than focusing solely on tank height.^[13][1]

Furnish the aquarium floor with sand or small, smooth gravel. Incorporate live plants and driftwood for shelter, balancing covered resting spots with open substrate areas where the group can feed together.Furnish the aquarium floor with sand or small, smooth gravel. Incorporate live plants and driftwood for shelter, balancing covered resting spots with open substrate areas where the group can feed together.^[1][13]

• 5 gal
• 10 gal
• 54 L
• 60 L
• 20 gal high
• 20 gal long
• 29 gal
• 112 L
• 40 gal breeder
• 180 L
• 55 gal
• 75 gal
• 240 L

San Juan cory water parameters

Keep your aquarium water temperature between 22–26 °C. Maintain the pH between 6.5–7.5 and the general hardness between 4–15 dGH to support steady environmental conditions.Keep your aquarium water temperature between 72–79 °F. Maintain the pH between 6.5–7.5 and the general hardness between 4–15 dGH to support steady environmental conditions.^[1]

Ammonia must remain undetectable at all times. Fish release ammonia continuously as metabolic waste, while uneaten food and decomposing organic matter add more waste to the water. An established biological filter is necessary to process these compounds, and clear water alone does not mean the water chemistry is safe.Ammonia must remain undetectable at all times. Fish release ammonia continuously as metabolic waste, while uneaten food and decomposing organic matter add more waste to the water. An established biological filter is necessary to process these compounds, and clear water alone does not mean the water chemistry is safe.^[3]

Feeding San Juan cories

San Juan cories accept sinking pellets, flakes, shrimp pellets, and meaty foods such as chopped earthworms. Use rapidly sinking tablets so the food reaches bottom feeders quickly, and always check that your group actually secures their share.San Juan cories accept sinking pellets, flakes, shrimp pellets, and meaty foods such as chopped earthworms. Use rapidly sinking tablets so the food reaches bottom feeders quickly, and always check that your group actually secures their share.^[1][2]

Feed small portions twice daily, adjusting amounts so the fish finish everything in about two minutes. Remove excess food because decaying leftovers pollute the water; never assume bottom-dwelling cories act as a clean-up crew that eliminates the need for dedicated meals.Feed small portions twice daily, adjusting amounts so the fish finish everything in about two minutes. Remove excess food because decaying leftovers pollute the water; never assume bottom-dwelling cories act as a clean-up crew that eliminates the need for dedicated meals.^[2][3]

When you are away on holiday, have someone perform daily checks on the fish and equipment. Prepare preportioned meals for your helper rather than leaving feeding amounts to chance.When you are away on holiday, have someone perform daily checks on the fish and equipment. Prepare preportioned meals for your helper rather than leaving feeding amounts to chance.^[2]

San Juan cory behaviour

The San Juan cory is a peaceful species toward its own kind and other tank mates. In home aquariums, they typically reach an adult length of 4–5 cm and originate in the Madeira River basin of Bolivia.The San Juan cory is a peaceful species toward its own kind and other tank mates. In home aquariums, they typically reach an adult length of 2–2 in and originate in the Madeira River basin of Bolivia.^[1]

Keep a social group of at least six San Juan cories together. Aqua-Fish.Net estimates their lifespan at 3–8 years under captive care.Keep a social group of at least six San Juan cories together. Aqua-Fish.Net estimates their lifespan at 3–8 years under captive care.^[13][1]

Several species in the elegans group closely resemble Corydoras bilineatus, including Corydoras elegans and Corydoras napoensis. Do not rely solely on a standard retail store label to identify the fish.Several species in the elegans group closely resemble Corydoras bilineatus, including Corydoras elegans and Corydoras napoensis. Do not rely solely on a standard retail store label to identify the fish.^[13]

San Juan cory tank mates

Small, peaceful midwater schooling fish make suitable companions. Small, peaceful midwater schooling fish make suitable companions. Neon tetrasNeon tetras work well if you supply appropriate water parameters, adequate room, and an established shoal of their own. work well if you supply appropriate water parameters, adequate room, and an established shoal of their own. Harlequin rasborasHarlequin rasboras are also calm community candidates when kept in their own group with matching water values and ample swimming space. are also calm community candidates when kept in their own group with matching water values and ample swimming space.^[1][9][10]

Active schooling Active schooling Zebra daniosZebra danios can share the tank provided you satisfy their open swimming space requirements, water needs, and group size, while ensuring sinking food makes it down to the bottom fish. can share the tank provided you satisfy their open swimming space requirements, water needs, and group size, while ensuring sinking food makes it down to the bottom fish. Honey gouramisHoney gouramis are another peaceful option if you provide plant cover, compatible water parameters, and sufficient space. are another peaceful option if you provide plant cover, compatible water parameters, and sufficient space.^[1][11][12]

Avoid predatory cichlids like Avoid predatory cichlids like OscarsOscars, as adult fish can swallow small bottom dwellers. Keep , as adult fish can swallow small bottom dwellers. Keep Jack DempseysJack Dempseys out of the tank because their mature aggression creates severe hazards for small fish. You should also avoid out of the tank because their mature aggression creates severe hazards for small fish. You should also avoid Pea puffersPea puffers, which introduce a distinct fin-nipping risk and broader community aggression., which introduce a distinct fin-nipping risk and broader community aggression.^[6][7][8]

San Juan cory health problems

Ich infections can cause white spots on the body, rubbing against surfaces, and laboured breathing. Gills can also become infected without any external spots appearing on the skin, so observe fish carefully rather than relying on visible spots alone.Ich infections can cause white spots on the body, rubbing against surfaces, and laboured breathing. Gills can also become infected without any external spots appearing on the skin, so observe fish carefully rather than relying on visible spots alone.^[5]

To lower the risk of introducing ich into your aquarium, quarantine all incoming fish for at least 30 days before adding them to the main tank. Avoid transferring wet, nondisinfected equipment between different tanks.To lower the risk of introducing ich into your aquarium, quarantine all incoming fish for at least 30 days before adding them to the main tank. Avoid transferring wet, nondisinfected equipment between different tanks.^[5]

Fin rot presents as progressively fraying or receding fin tissue, frequently showing inflamed red or blood-streaked edges. Poor environmental conditions elevate this risk, so maintain water cleanliness; note that a single clean tear in a fin is an injury, not an automatic fin rot diagnosis.Fin rot presents as progressively fraying or receding fin tissue, frequently showing inflamed red or blood-streaked edges. Poor environmental conditions elevate this risk, so maintain water cleanliness; note that a single clean tear in a fin is an injury, not an automatic fin rot diagnosis.^[4]

Cotton-wool fungal disease produces fluffy white or grey tufts on the skin, commonly developing after handling trauma, physical injury, or environmental stress. Handle your cories gently, eliminate sharp decor edges from the tank, and seek a precise diagnosis because bacterial mouth rot can look very similar.Cotton-wool fungal disease produces fluffy white or grey tufts on the skin, commonly developing after handling trauma, physical injury, or environmental stress. Handle your cories gently, eliminate sharp decor edges from the tank, and seek a precise diagnosis because bacterial mouth rot can look very similar.^[4]

Male or female?

Adult female San Juan cories are noticeably larger and broader in the body, whereas mature males remain slimmer. Do not attempt to sex juvenile fish using these body shapes, as immature specimens have not developed mature proportions.Adult female San Juan cories are noticeably larger and broader in the body, whereas mature males remain slimmer. Do not attempt to sex juvenile fish using these body shapes, as immature specimens have not developed mature proportions.^[1]

Questions