Is my cory sick?

[specks]

I have 4 panda corys, have had them for about 5 weeks now. when I went to feed my fish tonight I noticed that one of them is looking really pale, he/she is a lot whiter than the others. He/she didnt seem interested in feeding with the others either, although thats not unusual they often wait awhile until the food has settled on the bottom. Have tested water & there is no change there, its the usual ammonia - 0 nitrite - 0 nitrate - 25. Everyone else in tank is fine. Can anyone help please?

 

[Macracantha]

Is it possible the pale one is being stressed at at by the other ones? Like bullying or chasing?

Just keep you eye on things at the mo and see if it colours up!

 

[specks]

Hi. Macracantha, as far as I know there is no bullying, if it happens its overnight certainly not during the day. Most of the time the four of them swim around together. If one goes up to the top of the tank they all go, if one stops for a rest they all stop. I have to say they are very entertaining. At the moment the poor little boy/girl is sitting on a rock all alone. The other fish in the tank all seem to ignore the corys & they in turn live happily alongside the kuhli loaches.

 

[WILDER]

Paleness is usually a sign of stress, just watch her for now, make sure she is eating, can you see what it look's like when the fish goes to the toilet.

 

[specks]

She has eaten but isnt scavaging around as much as the others. Hav'nt seen her going to the toilet as yet, have been at work all day & hubby had turned lights out for a while as we are gettihg over an algae problem. Will try & moniter her tomorrow while I am at home. I hope she will be ok as they are such sweet little things. Thanks for your input guys.

 

[WILDER]

I agree they are lovely sweet little fish,do the barbels look any different than normal.

 

[specks]

No Wilder, barbels look fine. If it had'nt been for the obvious difference in colour I wouldnt have noticed anything wrong. I always watch for a while at feeding times & do a head count as well. (if only they would keep still for a few minutes) Have been keeping an eye on her all evening, apart from the colour she does seem a bit quieter than usual.

 

[WILDER]

I no how you feel i bought three new panda's, one died the next day and the other two followed shortly afterwards, other three panda corys are doing well that i have had a while now, bacteria problems with the one's that died,.

 

[specks]

Sorry to hear of your loss. I originally bought 5 pandas, got home (a 15min drive) & floated bag in tank etc. we noticed at the time that one of them was upside down when we released them. I dont think there was enough water in the bag, anyway, the panda in question died a few days later. At times he/she had problems keeping the right way up but swam with the others & fed well. In fact they all settled into the tank well, within a short while of being released they were exploring all over the tank. Anyway thanks for your concern Wilder, its fishy bedtime now & mine now footie is on the tv. Will watch out tomorrow & see what develops.

 

[specks]

Little cory died. Found him/her when I got up this morning, at first I thought he/she was just resting but as I went to put the lights on in the tank I saw 2 of the swordtails picking at him/her. He/she still looked normal apart from the colour. Hope the other 3 will be ok.

 

[lilfishie]

Sorry for your loss panda cory

Lilfishie

 

[WILDER]

Bless her, sorry, keep an eye on the others cory tend to die from bacteria problems, R.I.P. little fishie.

 

[Inchworm]

Hi specks

I'm so sorry to learn about the problems you are having with your pandas.

Please realize that among all the different kinds of corys usually sold at lfs, pandas are the most difficult to keep. They are very delicate and sensitive to tiny changes in the water conditions that others seem to have no problem with.

If you avoid overfeeding so that excess remains on the bottom and do frequent water changes, you will have done just about all you can do.

Good luck with the remaining ones.

 

[Macracantha]

Aw shame! Hope the others will thrive!

 

[smithrc]

we've found our Pandas prefer a fine sand substrate - loads happier and more active too