On Sat, 30 Jun 2007 08:48:17 -0700, "newguy62497"
wrote:

Hi I'm planning to start an aquarium with a small variety of corydoras. I
was planning on putting 5 of them together in a 12 gallon aquarium. I
haven't purchased anything for the tank yet so any advice on aquarium
furniture (I was thinking aquarium wood) and appropriate live plants would
be great. Would guppies be a good tankmate for them? If not what would be a
good choice? I would like to avoid neon tetras or zebra danios as I already
have another tank with those types of fish. As I'm sure you can tell from
this post I'm pretty green when it comes to home aquaria so I would like to
avoid any highly demanding plants or fish. Thanks for any advice!

5 seems an over kill. I have 2 each in 2 10 gallon tanks and 4 in a
75.

Plants are great and all of my tanks have "low light" varieties.
However, I rarely see the Corys in the 75 and one of the 10. They
stay hidden in the plants. The one 10 that I do get to see them
hasn't grown so thick as in the other 2.


They seem to get along well with a wide variety of fish, big and
small.

I like Red Serpae Tetras, lots of color, swim a lot, very visible.
Another I like is the Harlequin Raspora. I have 9 of each in their
own 10 gallon tank.

Be careful not to over crowd your tank. That and over feeding is the
beginners biggest problems.

I change 2 gallons of water each week. I believe is the secret to a
healthy tank and is a safeguard to over feeding.

I first had tanks as a teenager. Then when I was in my 50s and here
again at age 72. I worry what will happen to my fish when I die.
They are living longer than I expected. Tanks are not easily moved
about, so try to think long term for the sake of the fish.