Sick Panda Cory

[littlefishie]

I have three panda cories in my tank. Two of them are acting perfectly normal, scooting about everywhere and constantly searching for food, but the other panda has not moved in the last three hours. He just sits at the front of the tank, doing nothing. The other two cories try to school with him, but he ignores them. I looked at them from above when two of them were next to each other, and the sick cory seems quite a bit skinnier than the other one. Any ideas? He seems to be breathing heavily and very uninterested in food. He also looks a little pale.
Last I had my water tested [my LFS does it cos I don't have a test kit yet.. am waiting to get to another pet store that has a master kit on for $25] it was ammonia 0, nitrite 0, and nitrate 9ppm.

I'm kinda worried about this little guy cos I have been dying to get pandas since September and I was finally able to afford them with birthday money. I'd be really sad if I lost him, though I could easily get a replacement at the LFS, they're really good with that.
However, I'd like to try to avoid that.

Meds I have on hand are Melafix/Pimafix, and aquarium salt.

 

[SPLiSH]

Hmmm..... It might be internal parasites. Maybe you should get some medicated flakes or something? Sorry, I'm not really that knowledgable about cories. )

Hope your fishie gets well soon!

 

[Mr Miagi]

Try asking for help in the Catfish cradle forum, someone there might be able to help! Goodluck!!

 

[Inchworm]

Hi littlefishie

Did you just get your pandas? If so, the one might be having trouble getting adjusted to your tank. They are delicate little things, compared to many other corys, and might need some extra attention, even under normal circumstances.

Pandas are prone to getting bacterial infections, which can develop and show outward signs, either quickly or slowly. If they are new, the change in water might be enough to set them off.

I suggest that you give your tank a substantial water change and vacuum the bottom. Then add MelaFix to the water you are replacing before you add it to the tank.

MelaFix is a product that has helped me cure several bouts of bacterial infection with my pandas. If you don't see any results in a day or so, talk to your lfs about taking them back, or getting a stronger medicine.

As for the one being thinner than the other two, it might be that it is either a male and they are both females, or it could just be that it is younger or just a smaller fish.

Good luck with them. Please let me know how they are doing tomorrow.

 

[littlefishie]

I did just get them on Tuesday.. I came home from class yesterday afternoon to find one of them dead, so I assumed it just didn't adjust or something. I took it back to the store to get a replacement, and the replacement is now getting along perfectly with the other happy cory. When I woke up this morning I couldn't find the sick one. The two healthy ones are swimming around and scouring for food. I tried moving my decorations and everything to find the other cory, but there's no sign of him yet.
I tried the water change thing yesterday, but without Melafix. If I can find him before lunch, I'll do another water change with some Melafix. Think Pimafix might help, too? I know they can't have salt cos they're scaleless, I just keep it for my bettas.

And by skinny, I mean really skinny. Think anorexic, almost.

Thanks for the help, hopefully I can find the cory by lunch!

 

[holiday_elsie]

how did this go?
did you lose a panda?

(am asking because we've a relevant panda story in our household in case it helps...)