Bad news...Good news

Question
Hi Chris!
Within the last two weeks, all of our panda cories have died.  The parameters of our water were fine.  As you know, my anal side will not allow my nitrates to go above 10, which is a chore considering there are 5 ppm in our water before it even hits the fish tank.  I was stumped, so I brought the last one to our LFS for the owner of the store to examine.  She said that it looked as though the poor thing had starved to death.  I felt like such a heal.  When I bought the panda's, I also bought some tablets that sink to the bottom, per one of the store clerks recommendations.  After a few minutes, the tablets break down and the food drifts about the tank until it finds a comfortable place to settle in.  I thought I was doing right by my panda's, but it seems the Platys we have (which we now call pigs with fins) were eating more than their fair share of the food.  I feel badly for my panda's, they were so cute and had such personalities.  Lovable, as far as fish are concerned.  I miss them dearly.  That's the bad news.  Also, she told me to quit being so anal about my nitrates, perhaps I was stressing my fish out with all the water changes (about every 3 days or so).  So I am doing it once a week now, but still test twice a week.  Can't help myself!  LOL!

When visiting the LFS with my poor dead panda, I purchased two bronze cories AND two oto cats!  In addition to my new fish friends, I also purchased better food that does not disintegrate when it hits the bottom of my tank.  I also purchased romaine lettuce on the way home.

My questions is, what other people food can I feed my fish besides just the romaine and some cucumber slices?  I was thinking spinach, but wasn't certain and don't want learn at the expense of my poor fish.  Also, how long should I let the "people" food sit in the tank.  I usually put the lettuce in the tank in the morning and remove whatever is left before I go to bed. Is this okay?  

We have 8 Platy's, two bronze cories and two oto cats.  Here is what I feed them now, I trade off so they don't get bored with their diet....Top Fin Tropical Fish Flakes.  Bio-Blend Tropical Fish Pellets, (some of which do sink and I am thankful for!) and Tubiflew worms.  What else can I add to their diet to make life seem wonderful for my fish?


Thanks again Chris, you are a God send for this rookie, but learning!  

Cathi

One thing I have noticed from my new cories, they are inseparable.  My panda's never even seemed to notice nor care that there were two others in the tank.  Perhaps I got lucky and got a male and female this time!  Also, my oto cats hang out together alot too!  

Answer
Hi Cathi;

Cory cats are schoolers usually, but some varieties do so more than others. I leave veggies in for 12 to 24 hours. If it looks yucky, remove it. They might like fresh spinach, cooked shredded carrots, bananas, and peas popped from their little shells. Feed them at night and hopefully they will forgae around when the other fish can't see the food.

It is possible the tank was just way too clean for the last ones. Cories are scavengers, but if there isn't anything left to forage........

Good luck and hope they do better!

Followups Welcome

At Your Service;
Chris Robbins

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