Something wrong with cory

[Nichola_C]

Hi, ive had my corys a few months, I never seem to see them all together at the same time, I have 5. But today I have noticed what looks like 2 furry patches on the top of one of them. I cant get a great picture as lots of places to hide and he keeps shooting off. The other all seem ok. Help, im really worried it will spread, what is it?

No new other fish for few months, 3 of the cory were my last purchase.

 

[Dephea]

I would place my bet on some sort of fungus. I did not have that in my fish tank so I won't be able to recommend any treatment but my basic advice would be to absolutely stay on top of the water parameters. Clean water does help big time.

 

[Nichola_C]

Yes I test the water every few weeks and do a 20% water change, clean the filters (alternatively, as there are 2) in the water i take out. Water i put in is filtered through a berkey filter (so takes out floride and chlorine)
Big lump of bog wood so nice tannins in the tank.

I think ill do a big 50% water change today and do another one in few days.

 

[yaya16]

What is the ph of the water?

 

[Nichola_C]

Hi, its quite high, 8.5

 

[yaya16]

Yeah I think its related. I had the same problem with a number of corys and high 8.2 ph. 8.5 is very high and way outside the normal range for corys. I asked around a lot when I had this problem and most said that it is a water quality issue. If so then a water change is not enough. You need to wipe the tank walls, wash the substrate and clean the filters. Then do a large change. I still think the ph is a problem. Can you get lower ph water?
What kind of cory is it?

 

[Nichola_C]

Yeah I think its related. I had the same problem with a number of corys and high 8.2 ph. 8.5 is very high and way outside the normal range for corys. I asked around a lot when I had this problem and most said that it is a water quality issue. If so then a water change is not enough. You need to wipe the tank walls, wash the substrate and clean the filters. Then do a large change. I still think the ph is a problem. Can you get lower ph water?
What kind of cory is it?

I regularly clean the walls, and vacuum the substrate. I've just took all the plants out and washed them (although to be fair the zebra snails normally keep them and the glass quite clean) but I've done that anyway.
I've had 2 of the corys for quite abit longer and they even get frisky etc normally after a water change and they are fine. Its one of the new ones I got at the start of last month.

They are all sterbai corys

I have very high PH water supply, but my LFS said that the fish are all bred in the same level water as I have as they are only down the road, so they are used to it being high???

 

[yaya16]

Of course it is possible for corys to acclimate to different conditiins. If they are bred in this water then ph is not the problem. I would go for the cleanup and water change. FYI the fish I had did not die from this and the white fluf never healed. Keep us posted. Cheers

 

[Nichola_C]

Of course it is possible for corys to acclimate to different conditiins. If they are bred in this water then ph is not the problem. I would go for the cleanup and water change. FYI the fish I had did not die from this and the white fluf never healed. Keep us posted. Cheers

Thank you very much for your help and advice. Im just panicking that its something I should be treating before it spreads to other fish. But I will up the cleaning and keep an eye on it. He looks perfectly healthy otherwise, always out moving about and eating. Fingers crossed

 

[yaya16]

P.

Of course it is possible for corys to acclimate to different conditiins. If they are bred in this water then ph is not the problem. I would go for the cleanup and water change. FYI the fish I had did not die from this and the white fluf never healed. Keep us posted. Cheers

P.S if the breeders live nearby maybe its worth asking them. They probably know best..

 

[Nichola_C]

Yes I'll pop back at the weekend and speak to them.
I haven't ever taken the big bog wood out to clean under/behind that. My tiger plec is normally in it, do you think I should lift that out to clean? I have also read that bog wood higher the PH levels? Not sure how true that is, so many different opinions and views on things its hard to know what to do for the best sometimes.

 

[Nichola_C]

Hi, ive had my corys a few months, I never seem to see them all together at the same time, I have 5. But today I have noticed what looks like 2 furry patches on the top of one of them. I cant get a great picture as lots of places to hide and he keeps shooting off. The other all seem ok. Help, im really worried it will spread, what is it?

No new other fish for few months, 3 of the cory were my last purchase.

Got a few more pictures, not very clear but best I can do i feel bad and worried