Corydoras with "spikes"

[fiona]

Hi,

Shame to use my first post on an illness.

I have a Cory that's the ripe old age of 5 and has developed "spiky" white growths all over. It's had them before (about a month ago) and, finding it hard to diagnose, I added a little more stresscoat to the aquarium.

It recovered, but I lost an upside down catfish and a black widow tetra due to "unexplained death" soon after.

The dreaded spikes have returned to the Cory and, not only can I not diagnose what this is, I don't know whether to move it seperate tank.

It does seem stressed, as it spends a lot of time at the top of the tank.

The tank is has a very settled community of fish (all been there over 1 year).

Any help appreciated.

Fiona

 

[tstenback]

Is it ich? small white growths about the size of salt. Is it possible to get a picture?

 

[Rusty_S]

Does your cory look almost furry all over, and is he swollen? If so I have seen this before and it could be dropsy (or pine cone disease), but there aren't growths, in dropsy the spikiness is due to the scales standing out at almost 90 degrees. Not sure what the other symptoms are and not sure if it can be treated, but ask in your lfs for advice and they should be able to tell you.

EDIT: IME I found that this disease didn't spread to my other fish, but you might want to isolate your fish anyway, just in case there are any infectious pathogens that led to the infection. But first look it up to see if you can find any pics relating to dropsy and what your fish looks like now! (Sorry keep editing this but I keep remembering other things!)

 

[Rusty_S]

Oh and can I also say, welcome to the forums Fiona

I hope you find a lot of useful advice here and I know that everyone will help you as much as they can (but don't always listen to the first opinion you hear! )

Rusty

 

[fiona]

Cheers guys,

I'll try and load some pictures tonight and look at treating for dropsy.

Fiona

 

[Nina7777]

IMO you should isolate the little guy....at least untill you can get a positive idea of the disease.

Are is scales sticking up? This is a common sign of the dreaded dropsy. But you mentioned that he had it before and all you added was stresscoat. If it was dropsy stresscoat would have gotten rid of it. Dropsy is a very serious and very hard to cure disease!

I wish you the best of luck though!

 

[fiona]

Hi guys,

I've added a picture (apologies for the size). He's still hanging in there but he doesn't look too happy.

Fiona

 

[Phantom Thief]

Well, i am of the opinion that it is not dropsy. But i havent a clue what it is though.

P.T.

 

[Jht]

it looks as though its some form of parasite or fungus you could try a anti parasite of fungus treatment, the only other thing i can think of is that its a condition called Lymphocystis

 

[Angel Lady]

My black moors had the some thing I put some marcyn 2 and it fixed it right up plus I added some salt to.. So I really dont know which one did the trick on it but you cannot add salt with the cory it will kill it.. I hope someone will help you figure out what this is.. for you.. I hope it gets better for you to and Welcome to the forum to...You will love it here these people are great..

 

[bigfish]

Could it be leeches of some kind, do these white spikes move at all?

 

[steppy104]

definetly looks like worms of some kind....maybe try a parasite medicine?

 

[csr mel]

that looks sick. i think it is some kind of worm just by looks (maybe anchor worm?) but i do not know much about fish disease, i am still very new too this.

 

[fiona]

Hi,

Thanks for the replies.

It doesn't look like worms - they don't move at all. To me, it looks more like it's scales are peeling off.

Is it worth giving him a salt bath, or do Corys react adversely to this?

I've added a bit of stress coat this morning and I'm treating it with anti-fungus solution.

I'll let you know what happens.

Fiona

 

[Phantom Thief]

It is not advisable to use salt, as scaleless fish will react adversely to salt.

P.T.