Something's Killing Off My Corydoras

[lhandley]

Something's killing off my corydoras, every so often when I look in the tank one of my corys has part or almost all of their tail missing and slowly there after dying. I need help ASAP please in order to try and save as many of my corys as I can as it seems to be happening at an alarming rate. (See my signature for my fish)

 

[micko]

I cannot see any of the fish in your signature doing that damage to your corydoras
Most fish will eat a fish that's dead. Is there any chance your filter/decor be damaging your fish? Also what substrate do you have and what's your water readings?

 

[snazy]

Ammonia will do that too. Check your water stats.

 

[lhandley]

I have a sand substrate and water readings are:
NO3 trace amounts
NO2 0
GH 5
pH 7
Cl2 0

(used a 6 in 1 test strip)
Ill go and get an ammonia test kit as soon as to check that

 

[the_lock_man]

I have a sand substrate and water readings are:
NO3 trace amounts
NO2 0
GH 5
pH 7
Cl2 0

(used a 6 in 1 test strip)
Ill go and get an ammonia test kit as soon as to check that

If you can afford it, get liquid tests for ammonia, nitrite, nitrate and pH. Test strips are often inaccurate.

 

[lhandley]

Ok I went out and bought an ammonia test and as I thought it would be my tank reads 0 ammonia so anything else it could be?

Edit: One thing I forgot to say is that I have 2 cherry shrimp in my tank, I should add it to my sig but just haven't gotten around to it

 

[lhandley]

I have a sand substrate and water readings are:
NO3 trace amounts
NO2 0
GH 5
pH 7
Cl2 0

(used a 6 in 1 test strip)
Ill go and get an ammonia test kit as soon as to check that

If you can afford it, get liquid tests for ammonia, nitrite, nitrate and pH. Test strips are often inaccurate.

I have been looking at an api master liquid test kit, it's just their so expensive it's hard for me to justify the extra cost, I mean £33 for a test kit seems a bit extreme considering test strips are only £12.

 

[lhandley]

I cannot see any of the fish in your signature doing that damage to your corydoras
Most fish will eat a fish that's dead. Is there any chance your filter/decor be damaging your fish? Also what substrate do you have and what's your water readings?

I have slate in my tank but before I put it in I got rid of the sharp edges so I don't think that's doing it and the only other thing I have in my tank is a few live plants. They don't even swim near the filter they seem to be taking up residence near my slate cave at the complete other end of my tank. Any other ideas?

 

[Tizer]

I have a sand substrate and water readings are:
NO3 trace amounts
NO2 0
GH 5
pH 7
Cl2 0

(used a 6 in 1 test strip)
Ill go and get an ammonia test kit as soon as to check that

If you can afford it, get liquid tests for ammonia, nitrite, nitrate and pH. Test strips are often inaccurate.

I have been looking at an api master liquid test kit, it's just their so expensive it's hard for me to justify the extra cost, I mean £33 for a test kit seems a bit extreme considering test strips are only £12.

£18 - £20 on eBay, don't buy from aquatic shops.

 

[Fishcakes]

Just wanted to say I used the 6 in 1 strips and they said my tank had 0 ammonia, same for an ammonia-only test strip.

I then used the API liquid test kit. I had 2.0 ammonia which is really dangerous level. So do not trust test strips AT ALL.

 

[DrRob]

How big is the ram? They can occasionally get a bit territorial about parts of the bottom of the tank and are capable of doing significant damage if they feel like it, although it's unlikely.

 

[lhandley]

How big is the ram? They can occasionally get a bit territorial about parts of the bottom of the tank and are capable of doing significant damage if they feel like it, although it's unlikely.

At the minute he's pretty small maybe about 4.5cm long, I don't think he's to blame though considering some of my cory swim right up to him and he swims away from them

 

[Akasha72]

have you added any aquarium salt to your tank? That can kill cories

 

[CezzaXV]

I have been looking at an api master liquid test kit, it's just their so expensive it's hard for me to justify the extra cost, I mean £33 for a test kit seems a bit extreme considering test strips are only £12.

Yup, as others have said they're much cheaper online. You shouldnt have to pay more than £20 for one. You do get hundreds of tests out of each one too, which is more than can be said for a box of strips.

It's possible that they're damaging themselves on the decor. If there is ammonia in your water, it's also possible that they're having a hard time healing themselves.

My cories sometimes get splits in their back fin, but I've never seen another fish go for them so I assume it was just the decor. They all seem to heal in time.