Muffymouse

my 3 year old peppered cory, Tiny, has stopped eating, spends all day long on his side, but at night goes back to being upright. He no longer swims and isn't his normal happy self. Nothing in our routine has changed lately and there is nothing that looks wrong with him other than the above mentioned problems. Any thoughts would be helpful. This has been going on for at least 2 days.

Shawnie

Oh no im sorry tiny doesnt feel well!
whats your readings for ammonia/nitrites/nitrates? and what test kit are you using?
is it just the 2 cories in a 10g tank alone?

Muffymouse

whoops, haven't been on in a long time. I updated my tank info. I have just the one fish. Tiny has spent the last 8 months by himself and been quite happy up til now.

I use the API test kits. I just checked the water again and OMG!!! I can't believe how bad it is!! I am in the process of doing a major water change!! I can't believe he is alive at all!! I hope after a few days of intense water monitoring, he will be able to be functional! Ahhh! poor baby

Je55*e

Oh, dear. I hope he makes it! Also, as you may know, all cories are schooling fish, and he would be much happier with at least two other buddies. They do all sorts of interesting things in a school, too!
Best of luck, Tiny! I hope you update us.

Muffymouse

my plan was to next weekend get him a couple of buddies. I hope he lasts that long.

Je55*e

Me, too! How'd the water change go?

Muffymouse

aside from spilling water all over the place, the water change is good. I did like a 90% and conditioned with Prime. He doesn't seem any happier, yet, but I am not sure he can be happier with how bad the water was.

mommybaby295

wow, how bad was it? poor baby

Muffymouse

as bad as it could possibly get reading 8.0/160/0 ammonia/nitrate/nitrite

mommybaby295

poor thing! you should wait to get the new corys until your tank finishes re-cycling, i think.

Muffymouse

i was thinking the same thing

Je55*e

I wonder--and other members, correct me if this is wrong--would it be better to get a big tub, put the filter over it with some of his water but mostly new, conditioned water to put him in until the tank finishes cycling?

mommybaby295

wouldn't that be about the same thing? either way he's not in a cycled environment. maybe less stressful in his own home?

Je55*e

I heard that if you put an established filter over a tank, it's automatically cycled. It should be tested first, of course.

mommybaby295

oh, i assmed that meant filter from an established, well-cycled tank. doh!

Je55*e

You could be right, though. I guess if her tank isn't cycled, that means the filter isn't? Argh, I'm confusing myself. haha

scatty

Poor Tiny. Get well little cory

Muffymouse

Ok, further update on the water. after the water change and a brand new test kit (my other one was really old) ammonia = 0.25, nitrite = 0, nitrate = 7. so the ammonia is too high and the nitrates are a bit high too, other than more water changes and keeping the water safe with prime, are there any suggestions?