Albino Corys, Ill?

[tom_os]

i have 2 albino corys in my 60l tank along with a guppy 3 golden danios and 2 black phantom tetras.

one of the corys (bigger one) seems quite active but the smaller one spends most of its time laying on the gravel looking quite dead to be honest although it is alive

is this common with these fish or should i be worried, he seems to be eating ok, just a bit inactive.

ammonia = 0,
nitrite = 0
nitrate = 10
ph = 7.6
temp = 26c

thanks for any help

 

[Inchworm]

Hi tom_os

Let me ask you some questions and maybe we can figure out what's wrong with your little Cory.

First, do you mean he's just still and inactive, or do you see anything actually wrong. Are his barbels intact? Are there any other symptoms like white or red patches or damaged fins or tail? When he swims does he seem in control of himself?

Is the gravel coarse or fine? Any rough edges? How often do you clean it and how? Could there be any uneaten food in it?

Could any of your other fish be aggressive toward him. Or, might he be thinking they are?

The temperature of your water is a little on the high side for them (if they are albino C. aeneus) so if you can lower it a little it would be good. Also make sure there is good movement at the surface of the water to insure good oxygenation.

 

[tom_os]

Hi tom_os

Let me ask you some questions and maybe we can figure out what's wrong with your little Cory.

First, do you mean he's just still and inactive, or do you see anything actually wrong. Are his barbels intact? Are there any other symptoms like white or red patches or damaged fins or tail? When he swims does he seem in control of himself?

Is the gravel coarse or fine? Any rough edges? How often do you clean it and how? Could there be any uneaten food in it?

Could any of your other fish be aggressive toward him. Or, might he be thinking they are?

The temperature of your water is a little on the high side for them (if they are albino C. aeneus) so if you can lower it a little it would be good. Also make sure there is good movement at the surface of the water to insure good oxygenation.

ok, well whenever i tend to look at him he just seems to be sitting on the bottom, currently he is just in my flower pot. he looks compleatly normal and he can swim perfectly fine.

gravel is pretty rounded, few sharpish edges, size ranges from tiny to pea sized. i have 2 phantom tetras, 3 danios 1 guppy and 1 other albino cory.

do a gravel clean and water change about twice a week at the moment and i have an airstone going about 5 hours a day.

i have lowered the temperature as well

hope that helps

 

[Inchworm]

Hi tom_os

How's your little Cory doing now?

It could just be that he's a little shy. Corys like to be in larger groups and often the addition of a few more of them will bring out the best in a quiet one.

Your gravel could be a problem. Any sharp edges can cause damage to their delicate barbels. These are fragile sensory organs that they use to find their food. If they are cut or become eroded the Cory could be in serious trouble. Watch how he uses them, it's quite interesting.