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February 18th, 2008
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Fish Addict
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Help! Cory Cats on death row
Please help me figure out why my cory cats keep dieing. I've killed two peppered cory's and now one albino. I hate that I keep killing fish and I hate more that I dont know why. GRRRRR
One peppered cory died like a month or so ago, the next died two weeks after, then I put the albino cory cat I had in my chaotic 10 gallon (was a quarentine tank but couldnt get it correctly cycled... long story) and he died today (well I think it was him because I also added two other guys two days ago so he would have some friends)
I must admit that the first peppered cory cat probably died because of pH fluctuations because I WAS using pH down 2 months ago. Dont use it anymore and the tank is fairly stable at 7.0 now.
Facts:
Tank is fairly stable at 7.0 and has been for the last month.
The tap water is 7.5.
Small piece of drift wood in tank.
Medium sized gravel but I havent seen any damage to the barbels.
Temp is 78 (very stable)
ammonia is 0 doesnt ever go above 0.25
nitrite is 0 other than cycling havent seen any increase
nitrate is 0 (just started testing this a week ago)
one peppered cory had a nipped tail
the first peppered cory had been in there for a month
the second peppered cory had been in there for a month and a half
and the albino had been in there for a little over a week
I drip acclimate all my fish for a couple hours before putting them in the tank
there was not sign of sickness other than the nipped tail on the one
thier roomies are a pearl gourami and an african knife
should I just give up on cory cats and hope the two I have right now survive?
here is a pic of the tank and a pic of the cory cat... gives you an idea of the gravel size. oh and the other one is the one worrying me cause he wont come out from under that big fake piece of drift wood... looks fine but just wont come out to eat.
one more thing... two of the fake plants are from Michaels. They are just plastic plants (no metal wire) and I rinsed them before using them... that couldnt be it, could it?
Last edited by Trio123; February 18th, 2008 at 06:26 PM.
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February 18th, 2008
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Fish Keeper
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Your gravel looks fine. 
How big is this tank that all the fish are in now?
If you just started testing the water a week ago, there could have been nitrites and ammonia (you say you're still seeing ammonia?) and corys are very sensitive to those. |
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February 18th, 2008
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Fish Keeper
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Wow, I'm not an expert...but I don't see anything that could be the reason for losing you cories. IMO your tank decor is super and well done, the gravel looks okay(very similar to what I have). You sound like you're getting good observation time too.. have you seen any of the fish picking on the cories? That's maybe why they were hiding alot.  it's a tough one. I have no experience with the african knife...? |
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February 19th, 2008
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Fish Addict
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nope, I havent seen anyone picking on them... no one pays any attention to them other than themselves. I've been testing the water for ammonia and nitrites but not nitrates. Just got a kit for that. I saw the ammonia go up one time other than the cycle period but I had skipped my weekly water change so I figured that was it. Not much at all though barely darker than the 0 mark. So it's not the gravel... Any thoughts on those fake plants from Michaels?
oh ya tank is a 65 gallon. With two 70 AquaClear filters going. My bubbler broke so I dont have that anymore. You think there is enough oxygen? I dont see them coming up to the surface alot but they do go up and down the glass.
The one guy looks like he will die today  He is just laying in the fake plants still breathing... Maybe the African Knife is trying to eat them at night (I havent seen this though) but there is no way he could, they're as big as his head.
tested the water again today: ammonia is 0, but the nitrites are 0.25, nitrates are 0. I am gonna change the filter in one of the AquaClears and then do a water change tomorrow... hope that helps.
Last edited by Trio123; February 19th, 2008 at 02:52 PM.
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February 19th, 2008
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Fish Addict
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One cory cat left... water change tonight... I will just try to not gravel vac too much... Im afraid of taking out all the good bacteria. But there is another filter so I guess it will be ok. |
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February 19th, 2008
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Fish Keeper
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Geez..  ..I'm frustrated for you, and I know you are....You're doing the best you can, there's no SURE thing when dealing with living creatures that can't tell us what's wrong. |
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February 19th, 2008
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Fish Addict
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Thank you Drea. I apprieciate the support. I did the water change hopefully the last cory cat will be alright. But he is hiding now...
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February 21st, 2008
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Fish Addict
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COBettaCouple and Butterfly brought to my attention that those fake plants from craft stores leach dye into the water that is toxic to fish. It could be that the cory cats got a heavier dose cause they may have been eating right off of them. They are out now and I will probably get some more guys this weekend. Fingers crossed... come on tank work with me pleeeeaaaassssseeeee. |
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February 22nd, 2008
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Fish Helper
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If I were you, I would wait awhile before adding any more just to be on the safe side.
BTW, that's a nice set-up you got there. I'm sure your future (new) additions will love it.
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February 22nd, 2008
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Moderator
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HI Trio.
I once used an artificial plant that was not an aquarium plant and lost a Discus soon after. I wont do that again!
I have found it very difficult to keep cories for some reason and none of mine have made it over a three week period. Guess they are pretty sensitive fish.
Good luck with your new batch tho, cories are such cute lil guys! 
 ~ kate |
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February 22nd, 2008
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Fish Addict
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I am gonna wait... My pearl gourami is going up and down the glass like crazy... I tested my water and the nitrites are up to 0.5... I just dont understand what I am doing wrong... I really dont think Im over feeding... water changes every week... clean the filters (in dechlorinated tank water) on a rotating cycle once a month and change them after two months... I dont clean the tank and the filters at the same time.... grrr I guess I have to be overfeeding...
sorry to ramble and rant... Im just frustrated... Im trying to do everything right and the tank just wont work with me!
Thanks guys!
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March 2nd, 2008
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Fish Newbie
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I agree about avoiding the non-fish store fake plants and other decorations. Are they getting enough food? I supplement feed mine a once or twice a week because of the busy bodies swimming around them. I also keep an eye on their body shape. I think you are doing the right things. I would try to avoid major water changes, just a bit at a time. It could be that the cycle just has to start all over again. I've used some emergency ammonia removers that worked well. After the other fish stabilize, try another pair of them. Are you using salt in the water? I've read such conflicting advice about salt and catfish so I don't add any at all now. Good luck and keep us up-to-date, okay?
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March 7th, 2008
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Fish Addict
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Well I've got five little guys alive right now. I did a water change the day before and quite literally one minute everyone was fine and the next one of the cory cats was floating upside down and being eaten by my little baby angel. So quickly I brushed him away and tucked the little cory cat in my mass of java moss (he was still breathing). Filled up the tank slowely to avoid a quick pH change as my tank was at 7.2ish and the tap was at 7.6. Turned off the light and crossed my fingers. Believe it or not in the morning he was alive and sitting upright in the hollowed out drift wood I have. I dont know if he is definately going to make it but for now he is alright.
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March 9th, 2008
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Fish Addict
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another one died (ammonia is showing 0, nitrite is 0, nitrate is 0) I give up. Thanks for all the help guys. Just sticking with species that are staying alive in my tank. I do water changes every week and feed TetraMins and mysis shrimp regularly (same thing we feed at the store where the stay alive). All the advise is good but doesnt seem to be my problem. Apprieciate the help though.
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March 10th, 2008
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Fish Addict
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me rambling -> you know what's crazy though, the cory cat that died wasnt the one that had the near death experience (that guy is really small and is still alive) it was actually one of the fattest happiest looking ones... sigh
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March 11th, 2008
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Fish Addict
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one albino cory cat dead this morning  one albino and two julii's left. It wasnt the little guy it was another big guy. Everything is testing as 0 still. I dont understand |
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March 11th, 2008
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Fish Helper
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i've read that corys are kinda picky about water..but i maybe wrong maybe it is ur temp or the hardness i also hear they like soft water.. i hear they are hard to keep alive too tho.. i am sorry for ur loss just keep ur hopes up tho!! |
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March 11th, 2008
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Fish Master
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Sorry for your losses, Trio.
One thought, are you buying them at the same store? Is it possible they just have poor stock? |
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