Agressive cory catfish

Question
This is a new tank (18 gallon, tall, wtih a few rocks and plants).  We started out with two dwarf flame guorami.  One was picking on the other.  We added 4 cory catfish.  The picked-on guorami started to really suffer and swim sideways toward the bottom of the tank and we noticed the cories were swiiming on him like they were picking on him too. Then he finally died.  Now we see some of the cories swimming around, chasing the remaining guorami.  We thought they were very docile.  The coreis are very active and swim up to the top of the tank a lot. Any suggestions? We just want a happy peaceful tank!

Answer
Hello Hilary,

Corys are indeed non-aggressive.  My guess is the skin of the gourami is exhuding something that is attracting them.  Perhaps it's rotting or dissolving ( common to dwarf gourami ) and they are trying to eat it as it sloughs off.

The Corys around the dead carcass were just doing what catfish do in nature.  Eating the carcass.  They are much like Buzzards.  They don't prey on things.  They simply clean up the death...to an extent.  There is a stage of rot where a Cory won't even touch it.  Mostly, they are vegetation eaters, so this is a highly unusual situation.

Now, something you need to know is Flame Gouramis often do not survive in captivity.  They are beautiful, but very difficult for a beginner to house.  They require specific conditions, come with diseases often and die at the drop of a hat.

You probably did not cause this in any way.

The corys are beneficial, nice, non-aggressive members of an aquarium and are good for your tank.  :)

Hilary, I'm sorry for your loss.  

Write back if you need to anytime.

Renee