Help! My peppered Cory has lost its barbels

[kwi]

My wife just went to a friends house to find an empty fish tank, everytime Pets at Home tell him his tank is ready for more fish he loses all his livestock.......I'm considering taking them some of my 3ppm Ammonia laden water to see what they say.

As @FishBearer9845 says we're not judging you and will do our best to help you.

 

[kwi]

Yes it is bacteria in a bottle, I did it for three weeks, then put first fish in, and am continuing to dose it as per the bottle.

Did you feed the bacteria in those 3 weeks?

 

[mbsqw1d]

Just have a few questions sorry -
What temp are you keeping the tank at? What other fish are you keeping with the cories?
When did you last perform a water change and how much of the water did you change?
Thank you.

 

[MusicMan44]

 

[MusicMan44]

My wife just went to a friends house to find an empty fish tank, everytime Pets at Home tell him his tank is ready for more fish he loses all his livestock.......I'm considering taking them some of my 3ppm Ammonia laden water to see what they say.

As @FishBearer9845 says we're not judging you and will do our best to help you.

I understand that and am extremely grateful I feel so worried for him

 

[MusicMan44]

The tank is at 24

Just have a few questions sorry -
What temp are you keeping the tank at? What other fish are you keeping with the cories?
When did you last perform a water change and how much of the water did you change?
Thank you.

The tank is at 24°C and at the moment the cories are with 6 neon tetra. I did a 25% water change about 8 hours ago, and it was the first water change the cories had been through

 

[MusicMan44]

Did you feed the bacteria in those 3 weeks?

Erm no?

 

[MusicMan44]

He keeps darting up to the surface, then drifting back down and landing on his side. He's also not breathing as fast as he was. Is there anything I can do?

 

[mbsqw1d]

The tank is at 24

The tank is at 24°C and at the moment the cories are with 6 neon tetra. I did a 25% water change about 8 hours ago, and it was the first water change the cories had been through

Ah right ok. Have the cories only just been added? Are you using a water conditioner?

I think that even without a water test kit, it could be safe to say that the water may not been safe enough seeing as the cories are struggling. Don't be worried about doing a larger water change than 25%, so long as you're using water conditioner to remove any chlorine, large water changes are fine and potentially very beneficial here.
Again, we don't know water parameters because of the lack of a test kit, however I personally would perform a large water change (75%) and see what reaction you get from the cory after this.
Another thing, peppered corydora like cooler water, so don't be worried about adding fresh, cooler tap water.

 

[mbsqw1d]

He keeps darting up to the surface, then drifting back down and landing on his side. He's also not breathing as fast as he was. Is there anything I can do?

A large (75%) water change. And once done, turn the lights off to give him some rest

 

[FishBearer9845]

Cory fish do dart to the top and glide back down. They also have scatty moments and are so funny to watch

 

[MusicMan44]

A large (75%) water change. And once done, turn the lights off to give him some rest

Shall I do that now?

 

[MusicMan44]

Cory fish do dart to the top and glide back down. They also have scatty moments and are so funny to watch

Yes, that's why I love them, but this one doesn't even make it to the top anymore, he only gets about a few centimetres off the ground before sinking back down. He's barely breathing

 

[kwi]

Shall I do that now?

Yes, telly is rubbish tonight anyway.

 

[seangee]

Shall I do that now?

Yes - I would actually do it every day for at least 2 weeks. Make sure the new water is de-chloirinated and a similar temp to the tank