Thought Cory Was Dead- Is Not, Just Very Unwell

[VEK28]

We just found one of our Corys laying on its side, and presumed that it had died. However, when removing it from the tank it was still breathing, we have put it into a small tank to look at it further, and it appears to have trouble staying up right. It lays normally on the bottom, then it moves a bit left to right but then falls on its side again.

We have been away for the evening, so are not sure how long this has been happening, when we left yesterday it was laying very still, but could still swim.

We have checked the water levels and all seem normal. Amonia 0ppm, Nitrite 0ppm and Nitrate 5ppm. 7.6 ph . 25c temp

There are 4 platys, 2 guppys and 2 other corys of the same type (bought at the same time) in the tank, all these seem to be fine.

Is there anything we can do for this fish? If not, what is the best course of action, and what should we check for to ensure no other fish have been affected?

We have had the corys for 2 weeks, and seemed to be fine up until last night.

Some extra info.

Tanks size : 56litres
Only recent additions are the Corys - 2 weeks ago
Water changes - once a week, 10%
Tetra easy balance is added once a week when doing the water change.
Tank is the rekord 60, it has the full filter media set - carbon, nitrate sponge etc

 

[VEK28]

Have been to the local fish shop and have now seperated the cory in the main tank in a breeding net, but were unable to give us much advice as there is very little visible to go on. The cory is now just laying on its side but is still breathing.

If any one has any advice about this or what do check for to ensure the other fishes will be all right, it would be much appreciated

 

[WILDER]

Corys are more prone to bacterial infections and laying to oneside can be a symtom of a bacterial infection.
Does he look bloated.
Any sores or red patches on him.
Unable to maintain balance in the water swim bladder.
Is he still eating.
What do you normally feed the fish.
I would issolate him and try anti internal bacteria med by interpet.

 

[VEK28]

Corys are more prone to bacterial infections and laying to oneside can be a symtom of a bacterial infection.
Does he look bloated.
Any sores or red patches on him.
Unable to maintain balance in the water swim bladder.
Is he still eating.
What do you normally feed the fish.
I would issolate him and try anti internal bacteria med by interpet.

Thanks for the reply.

The fish is completely on its side, not just laying a bit to one side. We have just checked on him, and thought he had gone. But we tried to net him and his barbels twinged a bit, he is now resting on the side of the breeding net.

To answer your questions

He doesn't look bloated
We can't see any sores or red patches
It could be swim bladder, he isn't even trying to move now.
No, we tried to feed him and he did not move
We feed flake food for the other fish and cat fish pellets for the corys. They have the occasional lettuce leaf and bloodworm.

Really not sure what to do for this fish. We keep thinking he has died, but going to remove him he still shows a small sign of life.
If it is a bacterial infection, is there a chance the other fish will have it? Is there a whole tank treatment we can do that is safe?

 

[WILDER]

Bless him I will be honest the outcome dosn't look good.
Anti internal bacteria med by interpet if you want to try and save him.
Get you some info.

The link I normally use is not working there this one.
http/edis.ifas.ufl.edu/FA042

 

[VEK28]

Bless him I will be honest the outcome dosn't look good.
Anti internal bacteria med by interpet if you want to try and save him.
Get you some info.

The link I normally use is not working there this one.
[URL="http/edis.ifas.ufl.edu/FA042"]http/edis.ifas.ufl.edu/FA042[/URL]

Thanks for the information.

The person at the local fish store suggested buying an air stone, which we did not do, as there may be a lack of oxygen. Just checking to see if you think this may be an issue with our tank, or would we have noticed other symptoms with the fish?

The only other thing I would mention about the tank is the filter does seem to be acting a little strange. Sometimes this seems to affect the flow of water coming out, and we usually take it out and give it a clean. I assumed because our levels or ok that the filter is not an issue though.

If we choose to medicate with anti-bacterial med, do we need another tank setup for this? Unforutuanly we do not have any other tanks setup, we have a few tanks and a filter we had for the goldfish, but no extra heater.

Thanks again.

 

[WILDER]

Its always best to issolate sick fish and treat in a hospital tank so the fish don't build and immunity up to the meds.
Is the filter ripping the surface well.
If you can't issolate you will have to add the med to the whole tank.
Lack of 02 in the water the corys wouldn't be on the substrate they would be near the top for air.

I would invest in an airstone as you need them for when adding meds for more 02 in the water.
There great in warm weather for more aeration, and fish like playing in the flow of the airstone.

 

[VEK28]

Its always best to issolate sick fish and treat in a hospital tank so the fish don't build and immunity up to the meds.
Is the filter ripping the surface well.
If you can't issolate you will have to add the med to the whole tank.
Lack of 02 in the water the corys wouldn't be on the substrate they would be near the top for air.

I would invest in an airstone as you need them for when adding meds for more 02 in the water.
There great in warm weather for more aeration, and fish like playing in the flow of the airstone.

The other 2 corys are mainly sitting at the bottom of the tank, so hopefully not a lack of oxygen.
The surface is rippling quite a bit at the moment, though there has been times when there wasn't alot of ripples.

Sounds like we should invest in an airstone anyway though.

I have attached a picture from eariler. This is is when we were in a bit of a panic and moved the fish to a very temporay tank to have a look at him. The white marks on the top of his fins are air bubbles.

 

[WILDER]

Ok bless him all you can do is try the bacterial med.
Off to bed myself don't feel to good.

 

[VEK28]

Ok bless him all you can do is try the bacterial med.
Off to bed myself don't feel to good.

Ok, Thanks for your help.