sallyp

Hello

I have recently noticed one of my corydoras exhibiting rapid gill movements and was advised to treat with melafix for bacterial infection. (treated for a week - no improvement)

Now my other cories are showing signs of stress, rapid trips to the surface, flicking e.t.c. my zebra danios are also flicking.

I cannot see any outward signs of disease or spots e.t.c. the gills do look a little red.

I would like to know what treatment would be best to use on my tank and safe for my cories. I have Seachem paraguard but am worried about the malachite in it. I also have Parazin by waterlife but this looks like it is for larger ectoparasites.

ammonia, nitrite and nitrate all OK. 10% waterchange done yesterday + gravel cleaned.

Advice would be greatly appreciated as I am not sure what to try.

Peterpiper

Hi sallyp, And welcome to fishlore
Sorry your fish are sick. The nitrites look a little high to me, maybe another WC 25%.
When you treated with the meds did you have any carbon in the filter?

sallyp

No no carbon.

I'll do another WC ASAP

Nitrate is around 25ppm in tapwater so hard to keep that down.

Thought it might be a bacterial infection but other fish now affected. Also noticed some of the corys flicking in my second tank.

Try to keep everything separate for the two tanks but looks like something might have been transferred.

Should I wait before I try a treatment? I am worried that I might lose them!

Peterpiper

25ppm Nitrites in the tap water?!!
I think this could be a part of the problem. Could you take a sample of your tank water and tap water to the LFS ( Fish shop ) and have them test it for you? I feel that the test kit may be giving you a false reading. What test kit are you using?

sallyp

Sorry its 25ppm Nitrate Nitrite is 0.

Use API ammonia test kit and Tetratest strips for NO2, NO3 e.t.c.

Water parameters have been the same for a few months now with no adverse affects.

My pepper corys have been spawning (have 12 babies) All seemed OK until a few days ago.

Can definitely take some water through for a second opinion

Peterpiper

Sorry, my mistake... nitrite nitrate are often mixed up. IMO The teststrips are not the best and can give a false reading, the API Liquid test kits are the ones most people here use. I would definitely take some water for a 2nd opinion, have it tested for ammonia, nitrites and nitrates.

sallyp

Thanks for your advice

I'll try the water parameters first. If that is OK, I'll have to think about treatments....

COBettaCouple

Welcome to Fishlore.

Hopefully, the liquid test will show a lower number for nitrates.

If the nitrates are that high, some live plants in the tank could help some, and I would make 25-40% water changes a regular thing to do twice a week.

You'll also want to use Prime to treat your tap water.

If you don't have an air stone in the tank, I'd recommend one. Corys are sensitive to water conditions and also tend to like playing in air bubbles, so everything that can be done to lower nitrates will help them.

susitna-flower

I know you can't see any spots, but ick can be in the gills without you being able to see it. The flicking (flashing) is an indication that this might be what is going on.

In addition to trying to get your nitrates down, I would suggest as a first treatment, that you raise the tank temperature to over 82F. 83 for two weeks will kill ick. You will need to continue the every day water changes as long as the temperature stays that high to ensure adequate oxygen. If after a week of warm treatment you don't see positive results you should try another parasite medication. CoBettaCouple should have some suggestion here, I don't really know what would work best with corys.

The red gills usually indicate the presence of ammonia. I know you said your ammonia and nitrite are 0, but the above treatment should help relieve any adverse water conditions.

sallyp

Hi One of my Cory's has now died and a white cloud rest are still flicking and breathing quickly. Dead Cory had ragged fins and some transparent patches on the underside but no spots. Tried Sterazin and Interpet Anti slime and velvet as recommended by LFS. It took about a month from first symptoms until the cory died so not a quick death and upsetting! I have some Seachem Paraguard that I have not yet tried but am concerned about the malachite content as I have read Harlequins and Cory's are sensitive to this.

I was also recommended to try aquarium salt at a tonic level of 1/2 teaspoon per gallon. Will this harm the cory's?

Have done water changes and gravel cleans in between treatments and all parameters seem OK though nasty smell from the tanks. (used liquid test kits to assure accuracy) Any help would be greatly appreciated as I am at a loss as to what to try next.

Lucy

I don't have advice for you Sally, just wanted you to know I'm really sorry for the loss of your fish. I know it's upsetting and you are trying your best.

COBettaCouple

We're sorry that you lost that cory.

Cory's can't be exposed to aquarium salt as they're scaleless fish. Malachite Green would be harmful to them as well.

A smell from the tank usually indicates some levels, particularly ammonia. Did you run the liquid tests within 24-48 hours of a water change?

I'm not sure of a safe med available there for the treatment of internal parasites, but aside from daily water changes of 25-40%, it's all I can think of to safely do without being 100% certain of the problem.

Do you have any pics of them to post? Can you get any of the following products: Fish Protector, Vita-Chem (or another liquid multivitamin) or Garlic Guard (or another garlic product)?