When A Cory Isn't Breathing...

[P&J]

Hello,

I have a cory that doesn't breath. I know, sounds impossible. But for about a week, he's been sitting on the bottom not moving his gills. Every few minutes he'll go to the top and get some air (as cories do), then come back down. He's dark, which I know suggests something bacterial. But has anyone had a cory do this before? My other guys seem OK... there was another one doing the same, but he stopped and didn't get dark like this one. I also have one who is spending a lot of time in the upper half and near the surface, but I think he's just playing in the bubble wall and the current that it's making across the top. I started treating with melafix when the symptoms showed up, and added the bubble wall then for aeration, so it's still new to them.

Ammonia - 0
Nitrite - 0
Nitrate - under 10


-P

 

[WILDER]

Melafix is no good it only good on cuts and wounds. You need an internal bacterial med.
Is he laying to onside when resting.
Any red sores or blood patches on his body.

 

[P&J]

Melafix is no good it only good on cuts and wounds. You need an internal bacterial med.
Is he laying to onside when resting.
Any red sores or blood patches on his body.

Hmm, it said it was good for bacterial issues. A few were showing fin deterioration, though, so I thought it would help that too. Nope, he sits just like the rest of them, only "frozen." Doesn't even move when I pass my hand by the outside of the glass (the others will). No sores or apparent gill irritation. The thing that "looks" out of sorts is the darkening.

-P

 

[WILDER]

A fish looking darker in colour is a symtom of a bacterial infection.

 

[P&J]

Thanks for your input. Have you ever heard of a fish not moving its gills though? He really "holds his breath" for a long time.

edit: can I treat with "real" bacterial meds while the melafix is in there? And which one? Thanks!

-P

 

[WILDER]

Yes. When it looks like its hardly breathing. Not a good sign I'm afriad.
Has it got worse since you added the melafix as some fish don't tolerate melafix to well.
Not surprised the stuff takes my breath away when adding it to the tank.

You can use melafix with other bacterial meds. But I would dilute it down with a 30% water change before adding the interpet med.

 

[P&J]

No, it hasn't gotten any worse since it started. Thanks for your help!

-P

 

[WILDER]

Good Luck.

 

[P&J]

Quick update:

Most of the fish are looking much better after 3 days of internal antibacterial treatment (Maracyn-Two). The dark cory is closer to his regular color, and he's moving his gills. Some of them look like they are breathing a little faster than usual, but I'm guessing it's the medicine. Not out of the woods yet, but definite improvement. Thanks!

-P

 

[WILDER]

Did you increase aeration with the med.
Glad things are looking up for you.

 

[P&J]

Thank you. Yes, I added a bubble wall when I started the melafix, and it's been running since. I also lowered the water level a bit so the filter splashes more.

-P