Cory Playing Dead

[Blough]

I have a false julii cory who is the last of his school. I've tried adding new corys, but they always seem to die within a week or two. I'd finally given up and I was planning on moving him to a larger tank with other corys because he's lonely. I was about to move him when I noticed him acting strangely, similarly to how I saw some other corys acting right before they died, so I decided not to move him. He was swimming up near the top, against the glass almost as if he was trying to break out. After that he kind of stopped swimming, and just fell to the bottom of the tank where he hit a decoration and lay on the ground on his side motionless, but still breathing. Later he got back up and started acting normal again. I'd seen that behavior before, and thought he was going to die within hours, that was about a week ago. He's been mostly acting normal, but then will suddenly start doing it again.
Tank size: 10 gallons
ammonia: Always 0
nitrite: Always 0
nitrate: I tested on Saturday and it was 10 ppm. After testing it I did a 40% water change.
tank temp: 77.5 degrees Fahrenheit

Fish Symptoms (include full description including lesion, color, location, fish behavior): He was swimming up near the top, against the glass almost as if he was trying to break out. After that he kind of stopped swimming, and just fell to the bottom of the tank where he hit a decoration and lay on the ground motionless, but still breathing. Later he got back up and started acting normal again. I'd seen that behavior before, and thought he was going to die within hours, that was about a week ago. He's been mostly acting normal, with intervals of the strange behavior. I'm wondering if there is anything I can do for him.

Volume and Frequency of water changes: 40 - 50% once every two weeks. I last changed the water on Saturday.
Tank inhabitants: 1 betta fish, and 1 false julii cory.
Thanks in advance for any help you can provide.
 

 

[Mark Z.]

I have been having a similar experience lately. One (I think it is the same one) of my sterbi cories keels over on his side occasionally and seems like he's a goner. I watched him again last night. Every time he does this, I panic and immediately check the water parameters (0 each time). A few times, I've done 50% water changes just in case. Each time so far, he "recovers" in a minute or so and is fine. My guy does it as he is sitting on the bottom with the others, never swimming near the top.
 
I know this is no help to you nor does it answer your question, just thought I'd share my experience.

 

[BaylorPerez]

I have  F.Julie cory as well, and mine loves to swim near the water surface, i do see him with my other Cories but thats when food is on the bottom or when he is tired. As for how they act, it could just be stressed out as he is alone. The less of a species their is, the more stress is put on the cory. So move him to your other tank and see if that helps out with his Odd behavior

 

[Blough]

I'm worried that if I move him to the other tank and whatever is wrong with him is infectious it could kill the other corys. I haven't seen him doing it for a few days, so I'll move him if it seems he's stopped.
Thanks for your suggestion

 

[NickAu]

Has your tank got an air stone?
 

 
Volume and Frequency of water changes: 40 - 50% once every two weeks.

I still think weekly water changes are best.

 

[BaylorPerez]

i hope the tank does, if not then hope he has a current to move the oxygen in the water

 

[Blough]

Has your tank got an air stone?
 

No air stone, but the filter oxygenates the water.

 

[BaylorPerez]

sometimes the filter isnt enough, we add airstones just to make sure that it gets all of the tank.

 

[Blough]

So, I just moved him to the larger tank today where there are other corys, he's hiding in the decorations right now. I hope this makes him happy. Thanks for your help, guys.