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I've been told some corydoras species, like pandas and peppermints, can adapt to hard water if introduced slowly. I'm really interested in adding cories or a similar sand-sifting fish to my cichlid setup.

Has anyone here successfully kept cories with their cichlids, or maybe another type of sand-sifting fish that can help keep the substrate clean?

I've got a mix of fish in my tank, including German blue rams, and I've introduced 3 albino cories and 6 panda cories alongside them.

Planning to introduce Corydoras to my tank, just wondering which cichlids would be suitable. Pandas aren't typically known for their hard water tolerance, I've always thought of Peppered, Bronze/Albino forms as being more adaptable, Emeflaked Brochis and Hoplo Catfish also come to mind.

ridera wrote: ↑Mon Jan 06, 2025 7:59 am Planning to introduce Corydoras to my tank, just wondering which cichlids would be suitable. Pandas aren't typically known for their hard water tolerance, I've always thought of Peppered, Bronze/Albino forms as being more adaptable, Emeflaked Brochis and Hoplo Catfish also come to mind.

I've got p. Soulosi, rusty cichlids (iodotropheus sp) and yellow tail acei, along with three upside down catfish.

Honestly, I think it's not the best idea to mix cories with your cichlids. Instead, consider Synodontis species from the Rift Valley lakes, like petricola or lucipinnis - they'd be a better fit. Also, multipunctata and njasse, the latter being the only Malawi syno I'm aware of, could work well too.

Too bad it didn't work out. I'm still on the lookout for a sand sifter that can handle the conditions in my African cichlid tank. Are there any other fish or even invertebrates that might be suitable, or would they just become a snack for my cichlids?