SilverW

clinton1621

Hmm... possibly a cycling issue, stress or swim bladder problem (swim bladder would explain laying on its side and not moving)

Lucy

Hi Silver Welcome to Fish Lore

When you say your parameters are good..it would we helpful to know exactly what the reading are for ammonia, nitrites and nirtates.
Did you cycle your tank?
What temp is the tank?
What other fish are in there besides the cory and neons?
Is the cory showing any othet symptoms?

I don't think salt is a good idea, while it might be helpful in same cases, it can be very irritable to fish.
Just a guess, but it seems 1/2tsp of salt it a lot for 5g.

It probably wasn't a good idea to add the neons until you're sure the cory doesn't have something it could pass on to the other fish.

Sorry for all questions, the answers will help others help you.

SilverW

clinton1621

Is he laying completely upside down? If so that sounds like a swimbladder problem... you mentioned he started doing it right after you moved him into the other tank so its possible during netting he ran into something or was squished a little? Either one of those along with stress from being moved could cause injury to his swimbladder making him flipover and not be able to stay upright

.... on a side note corys like to be in schools of at least 3, so he is probably already stressed being alone =(

ShaynaB

Hi, welcome to FishLore! You've come to the right place! This sounds almost exactly like why I found this site to begin with!

The very first thing I'd do is do a water change and get the salt outta that aquarium as fast as possible. Cory cats are "scaleless" fish and don't do well with salt at all.

The dip strips can be rather inaccurate with their readings, is there any way you can pick up a liquid test or take some water somewhere to get a test done? The fish store maybe?

Since his tail was nipped (I had this problem with one of my cory cats a while ago, nipped by danios) has his tail regrown fully? Is it still down to the nub? This could also be a reason he's on his back.

I'd put him in a quarantine tank to treat him if it comes down to it. I have a cory in quarantine right now for Swim Bladder.

Swim Bladder is usually a secondary symptom of another thing that's happening to the fish. I'm guessing it's either water quality or a bacterial infection from the nipping.

Also, tropical fish need 78 degree water. A 25 or 50 watt heater work on getting the temp stable.

Was the new tank cycled before you put the cory in?

That was a lot, sorry! I tend to ramble... I hope your cory get's better!

SilverW

ShaynaB

Everyone's got to start somewhere! Being new is ok!

The swim bladder is probably being caused by a bacterial infection due to not having a tail.

This is exactly why I came here the first time!

It's possible that the stress of the move from tank to tank and the new, uncycled water could just have been a turning point for the little guy.

I raced over to petco and picked up a 2.5 gallon tank and a very small filter for under 20 dollars. It didn't have a lid but it did the job.

If you can isolate him, I'd dose the tank with a med like Tri Sulfa or Maracyn. Something that has both antibiotics and helps with fin and tail rot would work. Also, Vita Chem, Fish Protector, and Garlic Guard are good to have around and may help him as well.

Unfortunately, I wouldn't dose the tank with the tetras in there. I'm not sure what to do with the tetras in there other than try to keep the water as clean as possible.

I had dip strips when I started... Sometimes they worked great and then sometimes they'd lie to me. I think it's because they're hard to read sometimes and are susceptible to too many environmental issues. This was also recommended to me by one of my fish stores... Watch those ammonia testers! Sometimes they wear out quickly! It just got to the point with me where I decided I needed consistency and the liquid testers work a ton better for that.

Yes, cories like company but the problem with this is that cories like their own company. They're schooling fish, just like the tetras. I have a group of them in one of my tanks and they run around like crazy with each other.

I know aquarium supplies can be expensive (I'm one of those broke college student type people!) so just buying things when you can will be ok. The heater in the tank is to keep the temp as stable as possible.

Regarding the 12 gallon tank, male guppies can be mean. I have 4 of them though and they seem to be fine. Maybe try 2 more guppies? Make sure they're male though otherwise there'll be babies all over the place! haha

It must be overwhelming. I know I was overwhelmed when I first got here... I hope your cory feels better soon! They're such cute little fish.