Green Cory Listing To One Side

[Nadine F]

I am wondering what the life exectancy is of a green cory.

I have had this female for nearly 2 and a half years and today she has started listing over on her side and curling to that side. She is not bloated, all of my water readings are zero, there are no marks on her, my Ph is 7and my hardnes is 6dGH. Help!

This was one of my first fish and I am very attached to her. The only things I can think of are that she may be egg tied (as you can clearly see the veins running round her abdomen, and these are looking darker than normal) or that she is simply coming to the end of her life span.

If you have any ideas please shout. I don't want to be sccoping her out in the morning

 

[WILDER]

If she has darkened in colour and laying to one side it sounds bacterial, which corys are prone to.

Sometimes the veins can also mean septicemia not the writer of this information below.
Septicemia



Symptoms:

Fish may have reddening at fin bases, blood streaks throughout the fins and body, small hemorrhages around the eyes. Dull listless behavior and lack of appetite may also be present.



Cause:

Systemic bacterial infection caused by various bacteria, including Aeromonas, Pseudomonas and Vibrio. The illness is often brought on by poor water quality or as a result of parasitic infestations or other infections. These bacteria enter the blood stream and circulate through the tissues causing inflammation and damage. Inflamed blood vessels in the skin and at fin bases stand out. Blood vessel and heart tissue damage cause hemorrhaging and consequently leakage of body fluids into the abdomen, which may lead to Dropsy.



Treatment:

Water conditions must be improved for all fish in the tank, regardless of how many fish are infected. Check your water?s Treat with Kanacyn or Tetracycline as well as with a medicated food if the fish will eat. If parasites are suspected, all the fish in the tank should be treated with antiparasitic medication. Using salt to help restore osmotic balance might be helpful.

 

[Nadine F]

She hasn't darkened in her general colour, just noticed her veins, but I may be jumping to conclusions on this as you can see them more clearly due to the listing. Plus none of my other fish are showing any signs of sickness and this is a killi tank, and killis are also prone to bacterial infection (as I have found in the past).

Is it possible for just one fish to pick up an infection?

Also all of my water parameters (sp?) are normal. And there is nor hemorrhaging that I can see

 

[WILDER]

Yes one fish can suffer from a bacterial infection.

 

[Nadine F]

I will add some internal bacteria treatment to the tank just in case as I can't think of anything else (apart from theold age thing as I have no idea how old she was when I got her)

 

[WILDER]

Can you issolate her, don't like the veins being visalble seen it before it was septicemia.

 

[Nadine F]

Unfortunately not, but her veins have allways been visible to a certain degree so not too worried about that. She is a prolific egg layer and is still moving around when lid is lifted etc as normal. Got me stumped

 

[WILDER]

Its the laying to one side as it a classic symtom of a bacteria infection, maybe just half dose the tank with a bacteria med.

 

[Nadine F]

Ok will try that, thanks for your help and will keep you posted

 

[Inchworm]

Its the laying to one side as it a classic symtom of a bacteria infection, maybe just half dose the tank with a bacteria med.

It's not a good idea to take chances with bacterial infections in corys. If you suspect that is the cause of the problem, and it usually is, give a full dose and be certain that once you begin the treatment that you complete the full course as directed on the package.

To treat with less might kill off the weakest bacteria and leave the strongest to survive and possibly mutate into a strain that cannot be treated with that medicine, should the need ever arise again.

 

[Nadine F]

Do not worry - full dose was used. It is and add to the tank internal bacteria remedy so all fish have been treated.

 

[Nadine F]

Well she is still going, but it is starting to look like dropsy

I have noticed a fluid build up at the base of her dorsal fin. Scales are still flat but she is now losing weight, still eating but doeas not look good

 

[Nadine F]

My cory passed away last night

This was one of my first fish and had survived all of my early mistakes, such a hardy little critter.

This is the first loss I have had in a long time and I still cannot be certain as to why she died. I had a look at her when I removed her this morning and all I can see is the build up of fluid around the dorsal fin - so much so that a pocket had developed that looked like it should burst.

I only hope that this was not contageous.

I have three shwartz corys in the same tank and they seem fine, active and no swellings or puffiness so fingers crossed this was a one off.

 

[Inchworm]

Hi Nadine F

I'm so sorry to hear about your cory.

It's quite possible that your schwartzis are younger and have stronger immune systems. If so, they will be fine.

While corys do get dropsy, they do not have scales and will never develop the characteristic "pine cone" appearance. Once they are in such an advanced stage that the swelling is noticeable it is usually to late to help them.