Peppered Cory - Strange Behaviour

[LucyLu]

Hey all,

I added 4 peppered cory's to my tank earlier today. All water parameters are fine; the PH is quite high at 8 but it's normal for London. (I'm currently soaking a large piece of driftwood to add in a few days to try and get it down even further).

However, 3 of the newly added cory's are staying near the surface and keep gasping for air and making bubbles on the surface. I am not sure why. They go back down to the middle of the tank and then back up again for more air. I know they do normally come up now and again to take gulps but I know them remaining up there for long is not normal.

To be sure, I have done a partial water change and lowered the temp slightly (it was at 27 degrees) but it doesn't seem to have helped.

All the other fish are fine and not gasping... It's strange that it's just the new ones.

Thoughts?

Lx

 

[alistairw]

Can you post on here what your ammonia, nitrite and nitrate readings are?

It sounds like it could be nitrite poisoning. The nitrite stops the fish from taking the oxygen hence why they could be taking air in at the surface all the time. Ammonia and nitrite should both be 0. Nitrate will be eradicated in your weekly water change.

 

[LucyLu]

Thanks for replying.

Nitrite 0ppm
Ammonia 0ppm
Nitrate 5ppm
PH 8

All other fish are ok.

It's so strange but the corys are still doing it.

Ah it is times like this when I wish fish could talk.

 

[Harlequins]

Whats your temp now??

27 degrees is far to high for peppered cories... ideally around 22 degrees suits these better... try putting an airstone and lowering your temp more if its still high.

Lack of oxygen in the water - will make the cories go up and stay at the surface.

Leaving them in too high a temp will lead to an early demise.

 

[LucyLu]

Whats your temp now??

27 degrees is far to high for peppered cories... ideally around 22 degrees suits these better... try putting an airstone and lowering your temp more if its still high.

Lack of oxygen in the water - will make the cories go up and stay at the surface.

Leaving them in too high a temp will lead to an early demise.

Hi Harlequins,

Thanks for your reply.

I put some colder water in about an hour and the temp is now 24 degrees and will go down a bit more overnight I think. They seem better so will keep an eye on them.

Fingers crossed they are ok.

 

[alistairw]

I think Harelquin has hit the nail on the head there!!

The higher the temp of the water, the less oxygen is in it. Have you got good agitation of the surface from your filter?

Hopefully your Cory's are behaving normally now?

 

[LucyLu]

They seem better although 1 or 2 of them are very strange?! They sit in the plants and 1 does like it at the top still.

Eating well and are active tho so we'll see.

I think I could probaby do with getting a better filter as
The surface agitation isn't that great. Does the job but not amazing.

Lx