Strange Acting Corycat

[SamB]

Tank size: 20 US Gallons
pH: 7.8
ammonia: .25
nitrite: ~0
nitrate: >5
kH: ?
gH: ?
tank temp: 78-79

Fish Symptoms (include full description including lesion, color, location, fish behavior): Albino Corycat (so obviously white.. hard to tell if paler than usual) laying on the gravel, gils moving fairly quickly, but body not moving otherwise. Seems to be laying awkwardly.

Volume and Frequency of water changes: 25% weekly - recently had a 33% to account for ammonia

Chemical Additives or Media in your tank: HOB filter - media is standard filter cartridge from store: carbon in filter floss

Tank inhabitants: 2 GBRs, 1 PB Dwarf Gourami, 7 Harleyquinn Rasboras, 2 Otos, 4 Albino Corycats, 2 False Julii CoryCats

Recent additions to your tank (living or decoration): 2 GBRs, 2  Otos, 2 albino Corycats, 2 Haleyquinn rasboras

Exposure to chemicals: none

Digital photo (include if possible):
 

 

[the_lock_man]

Sounds like a reaction to the ammonia. What was the peak level the ammonia reached?

 

[SamB]

When I did the 33% water change, the ammonia was at .25.. The other fish seem to be acting as normal. my dwarf gourami was hanging out by the corycat as if he was trying to see what was wrong

 

[techen]

Could be a API test kit, They read 0.25 which you can safely say is zero.

 

[SamB]

yeah. Any thoughts on the corycat..? Do you think he's going to pass?

 

[techen]

Does he move if you touch him?

 

[the_lock_man]

Sorry, I inferred that you did the 33% change, because your ammonia was higher than the stated 0.25ppm. I agree with Techen, an API ammonia test showing 0.25ppm is probably 0ppm.
 

When I did the 33% water change, the ammonia was at .25.. The other fish seem to be acting as normal. my dwarf gourami was hanging out by the corycat as if he was trying to see what was wrong

 
He was probably trying to see if it was edible.

 

[SamB]

He has since moved. Or been eaten.. one of the two. hopefully just moved.. if he dies and I can recover the body I can get a replacement from my LFS.. I had to leave to go to work, but when I was leaving I could only spot 3. That doesn't necessarily mean much - plenty of hiding places in the tank. I'm hoping he pulls through. I can't really think of what could be wrong.

 

[eaglesaquarium]

So, he's a recent addition to the tank?  How long has this fish been in your tank?

 

[SamB]

This is a recent addition. He's been in there for 4 days now.

 

[eaglesaquarium]

Any strange behavior before now?

 

[fluttermoth]

What is your substrate, OP? Is it black sand?

 

[SamB]

Nope, nice and active corycats. It's actually black gravel - I'm thinking about making the switch to sand when I upgrade tank sizes (maybe in a couple months as a back to school present to myself..). I know that sand is ideal for corycats but I also had read that they're ok on gravel

 

[fluttermoth]

Yes, gravel is okay, as long as it's smooth and kept spotlessly clean, although sand is better.
 
I just asked because I lost a few catfish a couple of weeks ago due to some supposedly 'fish safe' black sand.

 

[SamB]

Interesting. I had thought that basically any sand would do.. lots of references to play sand about. The big issue here is I'm about to be away for four days and the guys I live with (not fish keepers) will be feeding my fish for me, so this is the worst possible time to have a sick fish. What should I do if I go home and the cory is still alive but sitting on the gravel not moving still? I don't have an established hospital tank up right now. I have an empty / not running 10 gallon I could set up (no plants to put in it though)..