Sick Panda Corys!!! Fungus? need help!!!

[Life_on_mars]

I have this three Panda Corys in a 20 gallon tank along with 7 lemon tetras. The 3 corys started showing this white fuzz all over their bodies. They are eating and active when I feed them but must of the time hiding. The tetras are not showing any symptom.

Water parameters are correct. What can this be and how can I save them.

I have Seachem ParaGuard, PolyGuard, Api General Cure and API Pimafix in my fish first aid kit. Should I quarantine them or medicate the whole tank just in case?

Please help me save this little fellows!!!

 

[Rocky998]

I have this three Panda Corys in a 20 gallon tank along with 7 lemon tetras. The 3 corys started showing this white fuzz all over their bodies. They are eating and active when I feed them but must of the time hiding. The tetras are not showing any symptom.

Water parameters are correct. What can this be and how can I save them.

I have Seachem ParaGuard, PolyGuard, Api General Cure and API Pimafix in my fish first aid kit. Should I quarantine them or medicate the whole tank just in case?

Please help me save this little fellows!!!

This looks like excess slime coat they produce. What are your water conditions and params. The two things I'm really interested in is the ammonia and PH... When did you add these guys in? It could be that the PH is off the charts in some way and they are being affected or there is something else irritating their scales

 

[Life_on_mars]

This looks like excess slime coat they produce. What are your water conditions and params. The two things I'm really interested in is the ammonia and PH... When did you add these guys in? It could be that the PH is off the charts in some way and they are being affected or there is something else irritating their scales

Thanks for the quick response Rocky!

Ammonia is 0, Nitrites 0 and Nitrates 0/10. PH is between 6,8 and 7. One of them have also a white spot in the head.

Two days ago I added one dosis of Seachem PolyGuard when they started showing this white thing but the Corys where in absolute shock (Tetras were ok) I had to add active carbon to the filter to remove some of the medication. Then they started recovering. After that I read that scaleless fishes are more sensitive to medication.

 

[Rocky998]

Thanks for the quick response Rocky!

Ammonia is 0, Nitrites 0 and Nitrates 0/10. PH is between 6,8 and 7. One of them have also a white spot in the head.

Two days ago I added one dosis of Seachem PolyGuard when they started showing this white thing but the Corys where in absolute shock (Tetras were ok) I had to add active carbon to the filter to remove some of the medication. Then they started recovering. After that I read that scaleless fishes are more sensitive to medication.

The parameters are perfect so I think it could be something like a fungus. I would dose salt to the tank in doses of 1-2 heaped tablespoons for every 5 gallons of water. Dont keep the salt up for more than 4 weeks cause it will cause kidney damage in softwater fish... The salt will kill whatever fungus or parasite may be causing it. Even if it may not be fungal, the salt may still help them recover. If you do a water change make sure to add proper salt amounts back in. Once you are done with treatment, take salt out slowly so you dont shock them... Also, dont use kitchen salt or the salt to add to saltwater tanks. There should be a type of salt that is called aquarium salt and API makes some that is cheap I know...

 

[FranciscoB]

It is not necessary to use salt marketed as ‘aquarium salt’. Regular table salt, yes with iodine, is the cheapest, always available, and just as good, with no proven risks compared to other ‘aquarium salts’. Of course, some fish have low tolerance to salts (any salt).

 

[Rocky998]

It is not necessary to use salt marketed as ‘aquarium salt’. Regular table salt, yes with iodine, is the cheapest, always available, and just as good, with no proven risks compared to other ‘aquarium salts’. Of course, some fish have low tolerance to salts (any salt).

A lot of table salts have preservatives that may kill a fish. Its best to use "aquarium salt" to be safe

 

[Life_on_mars]

But I have read that since Corys are a scaleless fish, they are very sensitive to salt. Is this true?

 

[Rocky998]

But I have read that since Corys are a scaleless fish, they are very sensitive to salt. Is this true?

Corys are scaleless? Are you sure? If so I never knew this

 

[enricosonic]

They are scaleless and they are sensitive to salt. But, I have treated my tank with salt (which included several corys) before learning that. I will say they were fine, it all depends on amount and duration.

Were your fish recently added?

 

[Life_on_mars]

They are scaleless and they are sensitive to salt. But, I have treated my tank with salt (which included several corys) before learning that. I will say they were fine, it all depends on amount and duration.

Were your fish recently added?

Yes I added them a week ago. At first, it was just the little one showing small white areas but now its the 3 of them. The 7 tetras are showing not symptoms for now.

About the Corys being scaleless fishes I found this thread:

Why Are Corys Considered Scalless?

I have read that corys are considered scalless fish, but it looks like they have scales everwhere exept thier faces. If they don't have scales than what do they have?

www.fishforums.net

 

[enricosonic]

They can tolerate salt but it can take its toll on their kidneys/internal organs. Maybe they came with free fungus from the fish store and it's become more noticeable now.

 

[Life_on_mars]

They can tolerate salt but it can take its toll on their kidneys/internal organs. Maybe they came with free fungus from the fish store and it's become more noticeable now.

Probably . So do you think this could be fungus?

 

[Naughts]

Before using aquarium salt, do a large (75%+) water change to remove the paraguard.
Then use aquarium salt (not table salt which has anti-caking agents added) at the rate of 1 tablespoon per 5 gallons (20 litres). This dose is fine for corydoras for 2 weeks, maximum of 4 weeks.

 

[enricosonic]

Probably . So do you think this could be fungus?

Or some bacterial infection, but @Naughts gives good advice above.

 

[Essjay]

Re cories and salt, read the first item here

The legend of the Cory

Over the forty-plus years Ian Fuller has kept and bred Corydoras, he’s seen many twisted tales emerge. Here he looks at straightening a few of them back out.

www.practicalfishkeeping.co.uk