Chalky Ii & Iii

[bronzecat]

Did you also say what the ph is? Long term changes in ph can be hard on Corys. I have had poor results when buying Corys from aquarium breeders with a lower ph than mine.

I did not mean for you to treat without a diagnosis. I meant that Wilder knows meds and is good at diagnosis. There are some hobbyists that will not use meds at all--even with a diagnosis. Those that have gone that way and worked it out have as good results as others that use meds. When I say there is a debate over the use of meds, it spans the whole way from no meds at all to throwing meds without diagnosis. But very few recommend thowing meds without diagnosis or an indication of the problem.

My biggest difference from Inchworm, I think, is that I have a stock of preventative meds, which Inchy does not use--as I understand it.

I was also wondering about the temperature in your tank, but thought I might as well wait for whomever the next person would be to help you.

Good luck, Netty and bronzecat.

We lowered are Ph to 7.2 as it was 7.8 out the tap (lfs is close to 7.0)

Wilder and a few others think its bacterial infection and well, looking at them this morning i guess there isn't much more i can do except try a med. I dont think i have much to lose, except the whole lot.

The water is as good as it gets, its airiated and has good flow from filter. Lots of plants, small substrate and caves to hide in.

I tried everything else with the first bronze but failed

Thanks for your continued help

 

[Inchworm]

Hi bronzecat

I wish you had mentioned that you are altering the pH before. Fluctuations tend to happen, and this can be one of the causes of stress that might lead to a lowered immune system and then bacterial infections. Or, that might be the problem by itself.

All three kinds of corydoras you have are likely to have been farm raised and not wild caught, so it is hard to tell what the pH of their water of origin is. Many fish can adapt to a different pH than they originated in, but changing your water significantly to suit the fish can be difficult. It's definitely a subject that you will want to understand thoroughly, since it will continue to effect your fish. Since I can't help you much with this, it might be a good idea to start a thread about pH in either the Scientific section or Tropical Chat.

Good luck.

 

[bronzecat]

Hi bronzecat

I wish you had mentioned that you are altering the pH before. Fluctuations tend to happen, and this can be one of the causes of stress that might lead to a lowered immune system and then bacterial infections. Or, that might be the problem by itself.

The original tank the bronze were in didn't have the ph altered at all. They got sick whilst in that tank. Thats the tank i had the nitrIte spike in, which led me to believe it was that that made them ill.

In the other tank where the panda's & sterbai are the ph was originally 7.8 ish. It was altered prior to getting the pandas & sterbai to be closer to the lfs ph which was 7. The ph has stayed pretty much at 7.2.

I think something in my tank, be it, substrate, plant life, bog wood, lowered mine naturally, because the water came from the same tap??

I did start a thread about lowering ph before hand.

Cheers

 

[jollysue]

It is clear that you are doing everything you can and care about your fish. I am sorry you are having such difficulty. I always say that if we had so much trouble with our other pets we would not keep them. It takes stamina to keep fish! Or foolishness

 

[ICEEGRL]

Bog wood releases tannins into the water which in turn lowers the ph. The more you have in the tank... the more it will do. Then when you do water changes you remove some of it. Large water changes and longer periods between water changes can cause fluctuations in the ph.
You need to do small frequent water changes to avoid that and to keep things more stable.
Does your water have a brown tint to it? If so that is the tannins.
I have one tank with lots of wood. The water stays the color of strong tea. (almost coffee color) The ph in that tank is around 6. (below that if I go longer than a week without changing a decent portion of the water)
I don't know if this was helpful at all, but I just though I would add this bit of information just in case.
I hope you figure it out, and I hope your corys get better quickly.

 

[Netty]

Just a quick update -

the Panda has made a full recovery. He's fully coloured and feeding well

the bronze are still faded, however, one seems more active and is showing signs of colour

Going to keep them in their sick tank though. 25% water change today and second dose of anti bac tomorrow.

We're still hoping they'll be ok.

Thanks

 

[jollysue]

Oh1 Thank you Netty for the update! I was going to ask today and then decided to give it more time. It is good news. Once they start recovering it is very good news.

 

[Netty]

Thanks Jollysue.....you certainly get attached to the little fellas and we'll do anything to keep them happy and healthy fingers crossed that they continue to improve.

 

[ICEEGRL]

I love to hear that sick fish are getting better. I am so glad it is working. Keep us up on the progress.

 

[Netty]

Had good news yesterday, but today is bad news
One of the remaining two bronze was dead this morning

The last remaining bronze is still pale but had been more active than the other.

Looking at the whole issue, we think it was a bac infec. We think the Panda recovered because he was bigger and stronger, compared to the bronze, and he was treated quicker after showing the first signs.

I really dont know whether the last bronze will survive or not Hubby has just put second dose of anti bac in, after a 40% water change.

One thing we dont know, and perhaps someone could advise? The tank the bronze is in, is meant for my male betta, who is beginning to get a bit cheesed off in his temp home. Once the last bronze either recovers or not, will it be safe to return the betta to this tank I suppose it would be, because the anti bac would have killed any bacteria in it, apart from the good bacteria in the filter.

Any thoughts??

Netty

 

[jollysue]

I personnally don't like to keep Betta with other fish. Betta are such little piggies, they wolf down everything they can and then get sick. There are other things too, but that will do.

On the other hand, better Betta keepers than I are all for it. It is an area of hot debate.

As far as the bacteria are concerned, I am not familiar enough with the meds or what was actually wrong to make a recomendation.

 

[bronzecat]

Hi Jollysue

The Betta wouldn't be in with the cory's, its the betta's tank. The cory (if he pulls through) will go back with the others.

He's improving today, since the second dose of meds. A lot more active and hunting for food, so his chances are increasing.

Cheers

 

[jollysue]

Is that your Betta, bronzecat?

I see. Poor little guy. They can get quite cheesed off when their are not treated as they think they should be. Reading the mind of a Betta is quite a feat. They have quite the personality. I don't try to keep them anymore. They were always breaking my heart. I figure my Corys will outlive me.

What is the plan with the tank? To just take the bronze out and put the Betta in?

 

[Netty]

Hi Sue (Bronzecat on Netty's sign in)

My avatar is of my male plakat The tank the poorly cories were/are in, is meant to be his tank. Thing is Netty has a HM on its way which will probably arrive next week, and we're running out of places for males

As you know the Panda has made a full recovery and is back to normal. The bronze has perked up alot today. I hesitantly believe he has beaten the infection and now needs to build strength back up. Problem is, the sick tank isn't really suited to cories (substrate to big, not enough airiation etc...) I wondering whether he would do better back with his mates in the 60L tank???

I think I'll wait till saturday and see how he is then.

As the sick tank is a fully cycled tank and has very good water parameters i was going to put my plakat back in there. He's seperated off in the female tank at present but me thinks he knows whats on the other side because of the bubble nest!!!!!?

I have thought about the water in the sick tank and thought, well, if i only had one tank and needed to treat a couple of fish in it, i'd have to treat the whole tank, so the water should be fine.

Anyway, i'll give it a couple of days and decide whether the cory would be better off back with the others.

Cheers

 

[jollysue]

Lovely Bettas

If you are more concerned about the tank then check in with Wilder. I am sure you will do good.