Cory Disaperance

[minniemouse]

Yesterday while I was watching my ten gallon tank, I noticed one of my corys floating near the top. As you can imagine I was quite panicked and quickly tested my water. Amonia was zero, Nitrite was .25 and Nitrate was 10. Well right away I did a three gallon water change, added some amequel water conditioner, and a bit of aquarium salt. My other fished perked up, and everyone seemed a lot happier. The only problem is now I cant find my cory anywhere. He has dissapered! Its amazing. I have torn (not really torn) the tank apart and there is no sight of him. I even checked the filter. So if anyone else has had any experience with this please let me know. (sorry its so long) Thanks a bunch!

 

[Polardbear]

Try counting how many you have, you may find that the one you thought was dead is actually among the living. I've had them floating upside down, laying on their side and as soon as I get the net out they're up and swimming. Corys can do a very convincing "play dead". In most cases (but not all), the Cory that was doing that died within the week.

 

[orange shark]

salt burns corys skin or something harmful doesnt it?

 

[minniemouse]

My third cory is still missing. I cant believe that there is still no sign of him. The other two corys are doing perfectly fine. I know Im not miss counting because they all shoal together and its quite obvious that one is missing. Strange.........

 

[rowdyburns21]

salts no good for the corys skin as picked up by someone else

 

[jollysue]

Yes, salt is not usually recommended for Corys, although occasionally a small amount probably will do no harm. I have heard different explanations to why, but I have not researched it. Perhaps Ian would like to comment or enlighten us.

I have had Corys hide out and be missing, only to show up later. They are not as good at it as loaches but they are bottom fish and have their little secrets. Keep your fingers crossed that he has found a nook or crany and will come out of hiding when he is feeling better.

Why did you have a mini cycle, minniemouse? Do you know?

Corys are a river fish and appreciate well oxygenated/aerated water.

 

[minniemouse]

Yes, salt is not usually recommended for Corys, although occasionally a small amount probably will do no harm. I have heard different explanations to why, but I have not researched it. Perhaps Ian would like to comment or enlighten us.

I have had Corys hide out and be missing, only to show up later. They are not as good at it as loaches but they are bottom fish and have their little secrets. Keep your fingers crossed that he has found a nook or crany and will come out of hiding when he is feeling better.

Why did you have a mini cycle, minniemouse? Do you know?

Corys are a river fish and appreciate well oxygenated/aerated water.

I had a cycle because I changed the filter I was using. I had a tetra that was in the tank and I thought it took up to much space so I went back to the one that hangs on the back. I made sure that I put some of the old sponge in the new so that it would still have some bacteria. The tank is fine now, and I did find the missing cory. He had wedged himself underneath a rock and died. There was almost nothing left of him. Very sad.

 

[jollysue]

Ohhhh Sorry, I guess he found his nook but didn't recover.

Often when I want to change a filter, I put the new one on with some seed media while leaving the first in place until I feel the new one is up to speed. Often I am so enamoured of the extra filtration, the old one never gets removed or I add a third. Can you over filter?

 

[ICEEGRL]

Sorry about your cory.

You may eventually get too much water current for the fish, but you can't over filter.

 

[Bozza]

I leave the first in for about a month or more until the second new filter is established. Never like have to change over filters cause I dont know how the new one would cope.