Cories, Rapid Gill Movement

[LastBoy5cout]

My 6 panda Cories that I introduced into my 80 litre tank about two weeks ago are acting a bit strange some of them are really heavy breathing for want of a better term. They seem to be breathing/rapid gill movement at a real rate of knots. Is this normal as I have never kept Cories before and am starting to get worried.

 

[ShoC]

I'm happy you asked this,
Mine do this also, and are breeding so it can't be a bade sign.

I notice they do it most after they have hoovered up some food
also any bloodworm they reject comes out near their gill so its possibly normal, also they do this after courting or just going on a mission

I could be wrong tho and it might be a problem

 

[LastBoy5cout]

Hi,

They dont look unwell and there is no listlessness or flicking! Just keeps me awake at night!

 

[jollysue]

I have observed my Big Mama Corys doing this mostly. If I had a Big Mama belly and could never see my tail I would pant too!

It still can be a symptom of low oxygen of course. It you notice them darting to the surface more than normal to gulp air or hanging near the surface especially to gulp air, watch even closer.

You might add an air stone for them to swim in. They might like that if you don't have one already.

 

[LastBoy5cout]

LOL, nice one.

They do that race to the surface for a gulp of air but not that frequently. My platies and Tetra's dont do the heavy breathing thing so guess Im worrying over nothing.

Is there any way of chcking dissolved oxygen content in a water body?

 

[ShoC]

you can get a test kit but mate you'd be wasting your time
your fish are the best indication.

Tetras have no heavy breathing neither your platies..
corys seems to do it just on average I guess and if they were suffering as said in the above post will keep darting up (as they breath air also *aint they cool*)

Mine do this
yours do it
Jollsue's do it

DON'T PANIC

 

[jollysue]

Just as a precaution: what temp are they kept at? Pandas like a moderately cool temp--lower 70's F / 21-23 C, lower ph and clean water. High temps increase the ph which increases the ammonia.

 

[ShoC]

Just as a precaution: what temp are they kept at? Pandas like a moderately cool temp--lower 70's F / 21-23 C, lower ph and clean water. High temps increase the ph which increases the ammonia.

Correct me if i'm wrong,

But higher PH doesnt increase the level Ammonia it increases it's Toxicity.
By a Larger factor I might add

 

[webmonkeyuk]

my pandas do the same thing, like you say after they have hoovered some food. i dont think its a problem just one of they funny little habits

 

[Cory_Dad]

Ok, dumb question:

How many fish TOTAL do you have in the 80 liter ~ 21 gallong tank?

The temperature DOES determine to the total dissolved O2; the higher the temp, the lower the O2.

The PH affects the ammonia damage; the higher the PH the more damage the ammonia does.

 

[LastBoy5cout]

Okay, my tank is at 25 degrees, so too hot looking at what I read above. I have 6 red eye tetra's 4 platies, 6 panda cories, and 1 plec.

Weekly 25-35% water changes,.Readings are alawys good and there isnt an excess of ammonia or nitrite but nitrate has always been high since the tank was set up in November last year. I was always of the understanding nitrate unless in huge quantities wasnt that much of a worry.

 

[jollysue]

Yes, thanks for correcting me, ShoC. I was pretty sure it was the toxicity of the ammonia, but without looking it up, I was trying to stay neutral and avoid committing myself. LOL so much for that!

I had meant to add the bit about the O2 and temp, but forgot in my attempt to address the ph. But yes the pandas might like it a little lower. Still if they are happy and healthy...