Peppered Corydoras

[eaglesaquarium]

Only some products that dechlorinate actually will deal with ammonia and nitrite, not all of them.
 
 
What's your pH, OP?  If your pH is under 7.0, having the ammonia reading on the API test kit at 0.25ppm isn't really a problem.  At lower pH, the ammonia comes in the ammonIUM variety, which is far less toxic... the larger ion isn't able to pass through the gills and into the bloodstream, while the smaller ammonia does.   I would suggest that your ammonia levels are probably not the cause of the issue (although higher levels before now may have been the trigger), unless your pH is around 7.6 or higher.

 

[pirategrl]

I have always used API water conditioner....  since I last posted I pulled all the guppies out and moved them to another tank.  I removed one of the air bubblers (so there is one).  I also switched to Prime as a de-chlorinator.  They all stopped that behavior within a couple days of doing all that and are back to acting normal.  I'm really not sure what the cause was but I'm happy that they are acting healthy again.  I just wish this tank would cycle already.  It's been over a month and the ammonia is still not at 0. 


My PH is 7.0 

 

[This Old Spouse]

I think you've hit on the right set of things to do. Switching to Prime is a good thing. You really don't need a bubbler, unless you like the look. 
 
If you keep up daily water changes of at least 50% you should make it through this. Don't get any more fish until you're cycled (looks like that was your plan) and overdose just a little with the Prime when you do your water changes.
 
I know that doing 25% water changes seems like it should be enough, but these guys are swimming around in their own pee with nothing to help out but you doing water changes until the filter cycles. If you had a 1.0 ammonia reading, doing a 25% water change will just bring it down to .75, which as you know is still much too high.
 
Looks like things are on the uprise for you ... keep us posted!

 

[eaglesaquarium]

Glad to hear the positive news.

 

[pirategrl]

Thanks!

 

[pirategrl]

Woo hoo!  My ammonia is finally 0!  Yay.  Now I just need the Nitrites to be 0 and I can finally add more fish!  I really didn't think it was ever going to happen.  We have had this tank going since Valentines day.

 

[CoryLover95]

Hi, I made the mistake of putting 4 peppered corys in an uncycled tank. One of them immediately started exhibiting the same behaviour as you're describing, and he was dead the next day 

 I'm not saying yours will suffer the same fate, since he died very quickly, but bear it in mind. I did a bit of googling and it seems that most people who have had peppered corys do this have lost them. Maybe it's some reaction to ammonia or stress?

 
I made the same mistake.  My 3 peppered corys also started hanging from the top and they all ended up dying.  (Two of them from ammonia, I presume, the other one because he got trapped under something.)  I would say that it is the ammonia levels and not SBD (swim bladder disease); however, it could be that the ammonia is weakening their systems and making them more susceptible to other diseases.  Just an idea...
Good luck!  Let us know how it turns out.  And GREAT job with the 0 ppm ammonia!  It's a great day when it finally gets going, isn't it?  But I would test your nitrites before you get more fish.  I know it stinks, but the way the filter establishes it goes through an ammonia spike and then a nitrite spike.  Then the nitrate levels will gradually rise (but as long as they're below 40 ppm you should be OK).
Don't mean to be a wet blanket, though!  Enjoy your aquarium!
-CL95

 

[This Old Spouse]

Woo hoo!  My ammonia is finally 0!  Yay.  Now I just need the Nitrites to be 0 and I can finally add more fish!  I really didn't think it was ever going to happen.  We have had this tank going since Valentines day.

 
Great news!!! You're getting there! 

 

[pirategrl]

Ammonia and Nitrites went down to 0 I did a big water change and was able to add my Rams.  I'm testing twice a day and everything is still at 0.  Woo hoo!  And all 6 of my corys made it.  I think that the issue was the temperature but of course I'm not sure and will probably never know.  

 

[kad191]

Good news! It can take a while but its there now so enjoy!

 

[greenmumma141]

Just stumbled upon this and wanted to say congrats on both getting your tank cycled and not losing any little cories!!
 
For the future, an air stone will always help.  Having surface agitation from the filter is good, but bubblers will always help, and when your ammonia, and especially nitrites, are high it takes the oxygen out of the water, so you need to have something besides just the filter out take. I had a similar experience not too long ago with a nitrite spike and I didn't have any air stones in the tank and lost quite a few fish.   My water levels are normal again and I now have two air stones, and my cories' behavior is even better than before. Cories love lots of air in the water, so if you didn't add an air stone I would suggest you do.  Good luck and congrats again on the fully cycled tank!!!!!