Cory In Shock :-(

[BethK]

Hi All

I managed to get a 24ltr tank, so I placed my male betta in there and brought 2 leopard corys to go along the bottom.

My male betta had been fine with other fish and not gone for them but he singled one cory out, only jabbed him once and since then, this cory has been tilted sideways and isn't as lively as the other one. When it swims off the surface, it sort of spirals.

I have put both corys in my breeders net, is he in shock? Do cory's have a weak immune system?

Not sure what else to do, I've turned the tank lights out.

Thanks

 

[BackToTheFishes]

Did you get close enough to see if all fins are present and accounted for?

 

[BethK]

Yeah, all are there. He just looks stunned, eyes are moving, just sad

 

[BackToTheFishes]

I hope thats not a stupid thing to ask,just thinking if a pectoral was missing,would explain the spiraling.I wonder if fish can get concussion?

 

[BethK]

I think the betta pecked him on top of his head

 

[BackToTheFishes]

Poor little sod,the concussion theory may not be too far off the mark then

 

[juggernuts]

Im not entirely sure about the concussion i suppose could be some kind of damage, but with the spiraling it sounds like it could be swim bladder pal

I had a cory suffer the same ill fate, not due to another fish i think some corys may just have a weak immune system due to interbreeding possibly, not totally that reason.

Hope you figure out something.

Good Luck

Paul

 

[BethK]

He was fine when I got him from the LFS and when I first put him in the tank. But within 5 mins, he swam up into my male Betta's path and wham!

 

[BackToTheFishes]

is he still feeding though?
And are betta's always so pugnacious?I never kept one

 

[Inchworm]

Hi BethK

I would guess it's a swim bladder problem too. Sometimes it can be caused by a bacterial infection but other times, like this one, it can be the result of an injury. The chances are about 50/50 it will recover on its own.

I suggest you consider getting another tank to house your corys.

 

[mattlee]

a 24L tank is no place for a cory im affraid they need room to play and use all the tank space not just the substrate. the poor thing probably feels trapped and threatened.... bettas are not called fighting fish for no reason hence the reason its best to keep them solitary.

if the cory is spiraling then it doesnt sound good and usually ends in death. fingers crossed he pulls through. corys dont have weak immune systems IME ive never had illness with any.

 

[BethK]

Yeah, bettas are touch and go fish. Hence why a majority of fish can't be put with them

I think I may take both cory's back to the LFS tomorrow, I don't want to subject the healthy one to the same shock. Bang goes the theory that bettas are ok with corys, well my one anyway

 

[BethK]

a 24L tank is no place for a cory im affraid they need room to play and use all the tank space not just the substrate. the poor thing probably feels trapped and threatened.... bettas are not called fighting fish for no reason hence the reason its best to keep them solitary.

if the cory is spiraling then it doesnt sound good and usually ends in death. fingers crossed he pulls through. corys dont have weak immune systems IME ive never had illness with any.

Their name doesn't always mean they are violent, depends on the fish you have. He was ok with my BN and tetras, I was under the impression cory's were fine with them and vice versa.

I was also informed a 24ltr was ok for 2 leopards.

 

[mattlee]

a 24L tank is no place for a cory im affraid they need room to play and use all the tank space not just the substrate. the poor thing probably feels trapped and threatened.... bettas are not called fighting fish for no reason hence the reason its best to keep them solitary.

if the cory is spiraling then it doesnt sound good and usually ends in death. fingers crossed he pulls through. corys dont have weak immune systems IME ive never had illness with any.

Their name doesn't always mean they are violent, depends on the fish you have. He was ok with my BN and tetras, I was under the impression cory's were fine with them and vice versa.

I was also informed a 24ltr was ok for 2 leopards.

corys like most shoaling fish need to be in groups of 6+ ideally for them to feel safe and so you get the best from them. when active and happy corys will use all of the tank from side to side and top to bottom and really a 2ft tank would be minimum for these fish as they love lots of open space.

there are exceptions with bettas but it only takes 1 thing to catch its eye it doesnt like and they can turn. this is why most people keep then on their own or with a shrimp or 2 and a snail, nothing thats in its face and fast moving.

 

[BethK]

I'm taking them back tomorrow