Pygmy Cory Death

[mark.w.jones]

One of my pygmy cories died today from some sort of fungal infection . He had what looked like cotton wool over his mouth / barbels. Is this common in cories.

Checked water stats and cant imagine poor water quality caused it:

Ammonia = 0ppm
Nitrite = 0ppm
Nitrate = 10ppm
pH = 7.6

Do you think he just damaged his mouth whilst rooting around? He seemed to die dreadfully quickly. I noticed it this morning and he had died by the afternoon. Currently treating tank for fungal infections.
Any advice gratefully received.

 

[tttnjfttt]

Honestly, it sounds like he had a bacterial infection, called columnaris. There are many strains of columnaris, some which can kill as fast as you have noticed.

Also, since it can be contagious and it seems you have such a lethal strain and the UK meds are fairly weak, you may want to consider treating the entire tank now.