cory cat barely alive

[a_ellis]

I added a cory cat to my 55 gal tank a few days ago. I thought he was ok until I noticed he was lying on the tank bottom. Then, I moved him to my 10 gal. in a breeder net. He is missing his tail fin completely & he doesn't have the energy to eat. I have no idea how he is still alive. It has been 3 days since I moved him. I added slime coat to the water and I don't know what else to do for him.
He just lies on the bottom of the net upside down or on his side.
Is there anything else I can do for him? He is trying so hard to make it.
Thanks all

 

[Tokis-Phoenix]

I would add some Melafix to help his fins grow back healthily and feed him some catfish pelets to give him some energy- i have heard cichlids have a tendancy to attack catfsih and your plec may not be very safe and at risk from going the same way as your cory.

 

[Ferris]

If your plec is a similar size or bigger than your Mbuna, he should be fine. I have a sailfin in my Mbuna tank and no-one messes with him, in fact he chases the cichlids

Cories are a definate no-no, too small and unable to cope with Cichlid agression. I hope he survives though.

 

[rdd1952]

I'm no expert on cichlids but if your cory does recover, you should get him some tankmates. They are schooling fish and need to be in groups of at least 3 and preferably 6. The same to the neon tetras in your 10 gallon. You really need at least 6 of those.

 

[Ferris]

rdd1952 is spot on, he does need some tank mates if he makes it and don't put him back with the Mbuna.

Good luck!

 

[Inchworm]

Hi a_ellis

At this point things don't look too good for your poor cory.

There could be two things wrong with him, but I don't know which one is the problem. If he was the victim of other aggressive fish he might have internal injuries as well as the damaged tail. If this is the case, there isn't much you can do for him.

On the other hand, a missing tail might be the result of a bacterial infection (finrot). These diseases are caused by ordinary bacteria in the tank, but it is only when a fish is weakened by some stress that they take hold. If this is the case, I would suggest isolating him and treating him with Kanamycin.

Either way, he sounds pretty far gone, so please don't get your hopes up too much.

 

[a_ellis]

I just wanted to thank everyone for the excellent advice......I'm so glad this forum exists! I feel like if he would just eat, he might have the energy to make it. I'll get him some more friends if he makes it.
Thanks!

 

[Ferris]

Keep us posted on how he gets on, i hope he makes it.

 

[a_ellis]

I just checked on him & he's still doing the same (lying on his side at the bottom of the breeder net. His respirations look slow & steady, though. He is so strong to even still be here. I'll keep his status posted.