Albino Corydora Is Very Ill

[Tearie]

Hi guys,

My corydora has the following symptons:

-Lack of appetite
-Lies on bottom of tank, hardly moving
-Rapid breathing/shaking
-Only goes up for air then goes straight down
-Tail fin looks damaged
-Red 'cut' near tail, small red dots

Overall the cory's been struggling and I want to do everything possible to make sure it can recover.
My recent tests showed that my nitrate levels were VERY high, since then I have done much larger water changes, added a second filter, a bubble curtain, placed duckweed in an attempt to lower the nitrates. (The water supplied to our home has naturally high nitrate levels already)

The tank itself houses 1 betta and 2 corydoras, in a 7 gallon tank. I understand this is very small to house corys in, something that I as an owner admit to being responsible for not having done the appropriate research. However I really wish to do everything possible to save this corydora.

Thank you for your time. (Also should I try to seperate the ill corydora right now from the others? I'm hoping the stress of moving it won't harm it even further)

 

[Tearie]

Ah forgot to add a picture, here's a link to the corydora.
http/i.imgur.com/Y9E40.jpeg

 

[snazy]

The cory looks so ill. It certainly has an infection going on. Sorry but I have no idea what it could be and it looks bad. It needs a treatment to give it any chance at all but you need to look at why this happened to prevent future loss. Looks to have too short barbels too for a start as well.
Get a broad spectrum bacterial medication and treat in a hospital tank asap.

 

[CezzaXV]

Aww, I'm sorry. Snazy's advice is good advice.

When you say you have high nitrates, what is the exact measurement? Would be good to know what it is coming out of your tap as well.

 

[zain611]

Firstly i would say is to use disinfectant so the damaged fins dont get infected and cause problems like fin rot
for its appitite ive never had a cory before but do they have live food/ organic food. What do you feed them?
For the swimming does it have difficulty swimming to the top/bottom

 

[Tearie]

Hey guys, thanks for the responses.
Should I look into buying something like this as a broad spectrum medicine? http/www.petsathome.com/shop/disease-clear-pond-fish-medicine-500ml-by-king-british-31015+
I definetely have made huge improvements in the tank in terms of quality and incase this is stress related, I'm looking into getting a tank much bigger so the corys can have more friends and feel more happy together.
The nitrates at FIRST when I noticed problems was very high, about 100ppm. Since then it's gone down to about 50 and recently since adding the duckweed it's about 30-40. The water we have running through the tap has naturally high nitrates, about 50ppm.

I feed my corys shrimp pellets or algae wafers, both which the other cory seems to love but the ill one doesn't touch either. It usually just stays still right now barely moving, but occasionally it'll dart across the tank to get air, although it does look like it has trouble staying afloat.

I'll definetely work on moving the fish to a hospital tank right away as well.

 

[MrsM]

Awwww, plenty of advice here so just offering sympathy.

 

[Tearie]

Bought some melafix, seperated my cory into a hospital tank. Is there anything else I should be doing? Thanks once again~

 

[snazy]

Melafix is not antibiotic and is only a mild medication againgst minor injuries and infections caused by gram positive bacteria. The majority of diseases are caused by gram negative bacteria. So don't expect wonders and I would have probably gone for different medication(antibiotic) that corys can tolerate(they are very sensitive to medications)

 

[Tearie]

Melafix is not antibiotic and is only a mild medication againgst minor injuries and infections caused by gram positive bacteria. The majority of diseases are caused by gram negative bacteria. So don't expect wonders and I would have probably gone for different medication(antibiotic) that corys can tolerate(they are very sensitive to medications)

Could you help me out by possibly naming a few brands that would help? Would definitely help to narrow things down.

 

[snazy]

Which part of the world are you living in?
The redness at the base of the fin could indicate internal infection called Hemorrhagic Septicemia.
Seachem Kanaplex(kanamycin) can be used and some medicated food would also be good, probably feed the main tank too.
Make sure there's no ammonia/nitrIte in the water where the cory is and is well oxygenated.

 

[snazy]

Here is some info on "Aeromonas"-it's the bacteria type that causes septicemia:

http/www.americanaquariumproducts.com/vibrio_aeromonas.html

 

[Tearie]

Which part of the world are you living in?
The redness at the base of the fin could indicate internal infection called Hemorrhagic Septicemia.
Seachem Kanaplex(kanamycin) can be used and some medicated food would also be good, probably feed the main tank too.
Make sure there's no ammonia/nitrIte in the water where the cory is and is well oxygenated.

I'm in the UK
I did some research into that, had a feeling it could have been septicemia, I'll take a look into some products that could be used. Also my ill corydora really isnt' eating anything I give it. Is there anything I could possibly do other then carry on with the medications and ensuring the tank is in good condition?

 

[snazy]

No, there isn't too much more you can do. Carry on with the medication and the water needs to be spotless. Cut a clove of garlic and make it a bit juicy and then try flavouring the wafer you are giving to the cory. They love frozen bloodworms, so try feeding that as well if you have it.

 

[zain611]

Hows the cory now hope nothing bad has happened