Ambiguous White "spot" On Cory's Nose

[rehevkor5]

I have two Corydoras sterbai. One of them has a whitish spot on it's "nose" (just above where the actual mouth is). The spot isn't particularly fuzzy necessarily, but it does appear that some skin or scales are kind of being sloughed off as a result.

This problem has sort of come and gone with my corys. I had two others (not sure what kind... I inherited all these fish from my sis), and they both had this problem too. Add onto that the incessant bugging by the zebra loach they live with, and they eventually died. I'm gonna get rid of the loach I think... that or get another (i read they leave others alone if they have buddies).

Anyway... any ideas what this spot is? Part of the reason I write is because when the old corys had this problem Maracyn treatment did nothing, and neither did anti-fungal treatment. It doesn't really spread to other areas but it does get bigger over time. Thanks!

 

[Colin_T]

it's usually bruising/swelling from the nose being damaged by hitting something hard. Possibly the gravel or they are bumping into the glass or other ornaments in the tank.

 

[rehevkor5]

it's usually bruising/swelling from the nose being damaged by hitting something hard. Possibly the gravel or they are bumping into the glass or other ornaments in the tank.

Thanks for responding! Although you might be right I kind of doubt it... this thing seems more like a degenerative disease/infection than just a normal injury.

 

[Colin_T]

if it is getting worse then it is probably a bacterial infection. Bacterial infections usually show a bit of red around the infected area. Bacterial infections will normally kill the fish within a few days to a week of them becoming infected.
Do a search for columnaris/mouth fungus for more info

 

[drewry]

hi rehevkor5
it sounds like it could be columnaris
you dont say were ure from if your in the uk myxazin and pimafix is good For columnaris

 

[jollysue]

First: the original white spot on the nose comes from the Cory trying to move things and dig around for food. It can then get infected by any number of things. Generally it will go from a primary infection that then may procede to develop a secondary infection.

Columnaris (a specific bacterial infection of rod shaped bacteria) does not usually start on the nose. A combination of a fungal and bacterial infection is often confused with columnaris. An open sore or cut can get a fungal infection that then gets a secondary bacterial infection. It is most likely that there is a primary and secondary infection.

Regardless, treat it as Drewery suggests if you are in the UK. If in the USA treat with API Fungus Cure. You want to treat with a broad spectrum anti bacterial and an antifungal--both. This treatment will address any of the possibilities mentioned here. An alternative would be Maroxy, Maracyn I and II. But that would be more expensie and probably not as effective.

Second: please, either move the zebras or the Corys.