Corys dying - no idea why......

[Jimmy Twotimes]

Hi Guys

I have had 4 peppered corys for a few weeks but last week 2 died suddenly for no real reason at all. No syptoms, all other fish fine - just dead in the morning.

My other 2 are now seemingly going the same way as they no longer root around the substrate as they used to - they just lie about for ages, just doing nothing. This was the only symptom I noticed on the 2 that did die.

The only thing I can point to is that they arent eating. I have always fed them on Hikari Sinking pelletts (designed for all bottoms feeders - NOT sinking algae wafers). When I watch them, they just appear ignore the pellets and carry on rooting in the substrate for other stuff. They also ignore the squashed peas I throw in.

Could this be the problem or are they just gonna die of unknow causes...?

Any info appreciated

 

[DrOizo]

How olds the tank? How big is it? Has it cycled?? Are yoe adding salt to the tank?
cheers

 

[Jimmy Twotimes]

Hi doc

The tank is about 4 months old and was cycled (fishless). Nitrite and Ammonia are zero. The tank is 35 gallons but I have not added salt as I'm not sure the tank mates would appreciate it. I have guppies (including fry) platys, SAE and Amano Shrimp.

Any suggestions....?

Jimmy

 

[Angel Lady]

My neighbor had 2 corys to die on them like that 2. Upon further looking at them I found a couple of bloddy spots on thier sides and I noticed that one of thier fins on both corys had two white things on them sorta like fingus. So I took his other 2 out of the tank and moved them to my hospital tank and put some Maracyn in the water. The other one made it so you might want to try that.

 

[Tempestuousfury]

Perhaps you added too many fish at the same time. With cories it's always a good idea to add only a few at a time because they have weak immune systems.

 

[Jimmy Twotimes]

I did only add a few fish at a time. The Corys were my last batch of fish and my water params are fine. One more thing I've noticed is that they seem to be going darker in colour - almost black were they used to be grey........



Jimmy.

 

[DrOizo]

I'm not sure but maybe doing a big water change and treating with a general med like Liqusil might help. Sorry I can't be any help

 

[sandyd]

Have you checked the NitrAtes in the tank? Mine seem to darken in color if the NitrAtes are up in mine. How often are you doing water changes and are you vaccuuming the gravel? Corys are indeed scavengers, but they need a clean tank bottom to scavenge from.

Above I saw that Salt was mentioned, please do not add any salt to their water as it will kill the corys, they are not salt tolerant.

I would recomend doing a good gravel cleaning, and see if that does not perk them up. I feed mine the sinking shrimp pelletts, as well as the algea discs, mine also love bloodworm, and tubifex worms.

Sandy

 

[louise]

Tell u what my cory's doing the same, going black and all. I didnt know they dont like salt so i will now stop using the revitaliser tonic which..yes..includes a hell of a lot of salt. Thankies maybe that will help?

 

[Tempestuousfury]

What color gravel do you have? Cories tend to grow paler or darker depending on the color of the gravel.

 

[Jimmy Twotimes]

Thanks for the replies!

I do about 25% water change each week, and i do vacuum the gravel as best I can (without disturbing plants and stuff to much!).

The substrate is the standard beige small pea gravel stuff....

I'm gonna try some frozen food now cos they really dont go for the sinking pellets. The two I have left are still alive but not as active as they used to be.

Defiantely no salt in my tank either.

Will let you know if the food thing helps....

Cheers again.