Is My Cory Sick Or Is This Normal?

[Reeveso]

Yea I know I need a backing. I plan on going to Petsmart or one of those stores and getting one of them - one of these days lol.

Right now I'm not all that worried about appearance as it's a relatively new tank - I was just focused on keeping ammonia levels low and my fish alive

The backing is probably the next thing I'll get - along with another hiding place.

How does the Betta look? She doesn't have any white spots or anything of that nature on her - its just that her fins are kind of "sagging" as you can see.

 

[Colin_T]

are both pictures of the same betta?
The betta is a boy not girl and the top pic shows the fins a bit clamped up. Doesn't appear to have any spots tho so that is a good sign. The clamped fins should clear up soon
Bettas usually live for 3-4yrs so if it is 3 then it is doing well.

 

[dzsigmond217]

I think you are trolling. Be serious. - not sure what trolling is

I'm still trying to figure out what trolling is..!?!
Colin_T has given me accurate and good advice (along with many,many,many laughed 'til I cried moments).
I'm embarrassed to say I search out his posts..!

 

[Colin_T]

I think you are trolling. Be serious. - not sure what trolling is

I'm still trying to figure out what trolling is..!?!
Colin_T has given me accurate and good advice (along with many,many,many laughed 'til I cried moments).
I'm embarrassed to say I search out his posts..!

LOL, I've got a stalker

apparently trolling is where I respond to any thread I can simply to build up my number of postings. The more posts I get on this site, the more my title changes and the flashier the title becomes. ie: Leader of the fishes

I used to go trolling when I was a kid. Dad and I would go out in the boat and chuck a couple of lines in. Then we would cruise around trolling lures behind us waiting for the ellusive big fish to take the bait and peel line off the reel. We gave that up when something big grabbed the line and started to drag the boat out to sea.

 

[jollysue]

The Wikipedia definition was pretty thorough. There are several types of trolling. It is an internet phenom and the term is well established since the '80s and against the rules of most forums. Trollers are called trolls. Basically a troll goes around forums trying to "hook" interest and drama by distracting, misdirecting, taking threads off topic, derailing help and confusing help that is already being given. There are more types of trolling, but basically it assumes motive. It indeed is often used to increase post numbers and is generally disruptive and mischievous. But the link I provided is much better than my definition. I got curious and suspicious when Colin_T gave inaccurate info that distracted from determining if there was a problem.

The Betta looks fine. Probably just a little old and tired. He is a Veil Tail male. He needs a nice soft resting spot near the surface where he can get nice gulps of air without much effort. The filter flow may be strong for him to navigate. The tails get pretty heavy to drag around as they get older. It is common to provide a cloth plant--not plastic or rough--near the surface. The car--I have one too --would be a danger to his fins if he uses it. He should have nothing sharp or rough that his fins might catch on or tear on. They are very fragle.

I am glad your Cory are doing well. None of them seem to be in trouble. But I would give the Betta a shallow home with little or no water movement. If he is happy though and healthy--what more can you ask?

 

[Colin_T]

I got curious and suspicious when Colin_T gave inaccurate info that distracted from determining if there was a problem.

ouch, inaccurate information

I thought I picked the fault pretty well.

 

[jollysue]

It was the bit about Corys needing half doses of meds. I was going to leave you to it gladly until then. I also wondered if you were reading the posts thoroughly. But, Colin_T, I am sorry I was rude. I believe you are just trying to help. I get tired sometimes and mouth off. I then will drive a stake in the heart when there aren't any vampires.

But on the other hand you seemed to misunderstand my reasons for some questions.

 

[Colin_T]

AHHH, I've been cyber staked thru the heart. The vampire fish is melting, melting I say.

I understand your reason for the questions. The more background information you have on the subject the easier it is to diagnose the problem.

 

[jollysue]

Ahh! Witty!

I also intended to leave the message that having a medicine cabinet of basic meds was a good thing. Running around willy nilly trying to find meds in an emergency can be fatal. And I intended to encourage a qt tank as a matter of good husbandry. I weighed those thoughts before I asked the questions. It is a balancing act to ask the right questions and educate without distracting. I may not have found that ideal yet.

In all the OP seems to be doing very well. So I think I should have left you to it.

 

[Colin_T]

A lot of people have medications sitting around the fish tank and the heat causes them to break down quicker. Then they no longer work when needed. I prefer to keep medications in a cool place so they last longer. Sealed in a container in the fridge works well but you have to keep little fingers away from them.

 

[jollysue]

I keep my perfumes in the fridge too.

 

[Colin_T]

if it keeps them lasting longer, why not.
probably helps keep the fridge smelling nice too

 

[Cory_Dad]

It was the bit about Corys needing half doses of meds. I was going to leave you to it gladly until then. I also wondered if you were reading the posts thoroughly. But, Colin_T, I am sorry I was rude. I believe you are just trying to help. I get tired sometimes and mouth off. I then will drive a stake in the heart when there aren't any vampires.

But on the other hand you seemed to misunderstand my reasons for some questions.

Well actually, the manager at the Big Al's here said you should never use Coppersafe full strenght on Corys, only put in 1/2 the amount. Maybe that's why mine aren't doing so well.

Who knows...

Just thought I'd add my 2 cents worth.

 

[jollysue]

Not sure what the s cents are worth these days.

I have used MelaFix, Pima Fix, and Coppersafe full stength many times on Corys. I have never seen any problems. In addition the Mardel instructions have warnings about snails, plants, and inverts when using Coppersafe but not a word about Corys. Mardel instructions are generally very good.

There are lots of old wifes tales out there. I will check further with Cory specialists in the States. People also say you can't use salt with Corys, but you absolutely can for a short treatment. You just can't keep them in brackish tanks. And salt dips are a very big stressor for them, so they must be watched carefully, because they may pass out.

 

[Cory_Dad]

Not sure what the s cents are worth these days.

I have used MelaFix, Pima Fix, and Coppersafe full stength many times on Corys. I have never seen any problems. In addition the Mardel instructions have warnings about snails, plants, and inverts when using Coppersafe but not a word about Corys. Mardel instructions are generally very good.

There are lots of old wifes tales out there. I will check further with Cory specialists in the States. People also say you can't use salt with Corys, but you absolutely can for a short treatment. You just can't keep them in brackish tanks. And salt dips are a very big stressor for them, so they must be watched carefully, because they may pass out.

'Old wives tales'. True dat.

I asked him about what the reason was and he said it's because they don't have scales like regular fish and they are more susceptible to skin problems at full strength. He only said that about coppersafe.

I added salt to the big tank when this whole think started but didn't do a water change until a week later. Is that too long for the Corys? I think the rest of the tank like the salt though, my platties, guppies, neons, ottos and zebras.

That's why I wanted a separate tank for the Corys.

Cheers.