Albino cory fin rot?

[BettaFishObsessed]

So about a month ago my cory jumped out of the tank during a water change, and i still am not sure how but his fins got caught on something on the way to the floor and tore. I put him back in the tank immediately and he was fine, but with much smaller fins. His fins have now gotten even smaller and idk if its fin rot since its hard to tell with white fins, but the edges dont look jagged or anything like other fish ive had with fin rot. He is in a 10gal tank with some other albino cories (still small enough to be in there, will upgrade when they get too big), and one male betta that has hardly even noticed they exist so i know its not him. I switch between aqueon shrimp pellets and bottom feeder tablets (forget the ingredients, if needed i can clarify later) with half a tetra algae wafer once a week for the cories food. Weekly 50% water changes and i add api stress coat water conditioner, api leaf zone fertilizer, and a little bot of api quick start, temp 76°F, some live plants,
The injured cory in question also has started laying on the ground not moving in the past few days in someplace hidden and dark (facing the back of a hide, trying to wedge himself under a decoration or near the filter (unsuccessfully), etc.), he was also sleeping on his side this morning next to another cory but went back to normal when i fed them. what is wrong with him and what do I do? Idk the parameters, ill test when i get back home. About three weeks ago i added a very small amount of crushed coral to raise the pH since it was getting as low as 5.5. Its raised to about 6.8 when i checked last week. I read that it could be used kn freshwater tanks since it had no salinity, so i added a small amount. I included a photo of the cory right after falling, the other day, and one pf my other ones so what it should look like. Help please!
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[StarGirl]

There is not much you can do except keep his water really clean. He may have been hurt hitting the floor also.

A FYI leaf zone is not really a fertilizer......it is only iron and potassium. Plants need more than that.

 

[BettaFishObsessed]

There is not much you can do except keep his water really clean. He may have been hurt hitting the floor also.

A FYI leaf zone is not really a fertilizer......it is only iron and potassium. Plants need more than that.

Yes, ive heard its not that good, but i bought it before i knew that and its almost empty anyways so im mostly just waiting for the last bit to run out, but thanks!

Okay, thanks, is it ok that his fins have shrunk since though? Did the photo of him right after the fall upload? Thanks again!

Also update: paramters are pH 7.1, ammonia 0ppm, nitrates 2ppm, and nitrites 0ppm
If not here it is:

 

[StarGirl]

Yeah that does look like his fins rotted some. The treatment i would do is still fresh clean water at least every other day. How much do you change a week?

 

[BettaFishObsessed]

Yeah that does look like his fins rotted some. The treatment i would do is still fresh clean water at least every other day. How much do you change a week?

I change around 50%, how much should i change every other day?

 

[StarGirl]

In a 10g I would do 50%. Someone else may say different. Try it for a bit to see if you see improvement.

 

[BettaFishObsessed]

In a 10g I would do 50%. Someone else may say different. Try it for a bit to see if you see improvement.

Okay, thanks! I assume that his fins wont grow back quickly, and theyre so small its difficult to see if they are or are not getting any smaller, so how will i tell if theres improvement? And will the amount of water changes stress out my other fish?

 

[StarGirl]

Okay, thanks! I assume that his fins wont grow back quickly, and theyre so small its difficult to see if they are or are not getting any smaller, so how will i tell if theres improvement? And will the amount of water changes stress out my other fish?

The only fish that may get stressed by water changes are shrimps.

 

[BettaFishObsessed]

The only fish that may get stressed by water changes are shrimps.

Okay, i dont have any so good! Just wanted to check, thanks! How can i tell when there’s improvement and when to stop?

 

[StarGirl]

Just do it for a week or so and keep up religiously at least 50% a week water changes and you really shouldn't have issues like this very much.

Everyone does it.. .everything is good then it slides longer in between. Then things go crazy and stuff happens.

 

[BettaFishObsessed]

Just do it for a week or so and keep up religiously at least 50% a week water changes and you really shouldn't have issues like this very much.

Everyone does it.. .everything is good then it slides longer in between. Then things go crazy and stuff happens.

Ok thanks! Will update if his fins get worse!

 

[DoubleDutch]

I think the substrate might the issue in this case (build up of.ammonia / nitrites)

 

[StarGirl]

I think the substrate might the issue in this case (build up of.ammonia / nitrites)

The build up or the substrate? I'm confused. The substrate hurts the fins too? I thought that was the barbels?

 

[BettaFishObsessed]

I think the substrate might the issue in this case (build up of.ammonia / nitrites)

what about the substrate? i made sure to get a small and smooth gravel so it wouldnt hurt them that much but I could be wrong. And like StarGirl said, i thought it hurt the barbels and not the fins? how could i tell if there was a build up? i vacuum the substrate thoroughly when i do a water change and the ammonia is 0 and nitrites is 0

 

[DoubleDutch]

The substrate won't hurt barbels nor fins, but the pretty large pebblesize can cause food to get out of reach quite easy.
Decaying food will cause local ammonia / nitrite spikes in the substrate and just above it. Corys are the only and first ones to encounter these.

Albinos fins appear to be very sensitive for that.

 

[StarGirl]

Ok i get you now!

 

[BettaFishObsessed]

The substrate won't hurt barbels nor fins, but the pretty large pebblesize can cause food to get out of reach quite easy.
Decaying food will cause local ammonia / nitrite spikes in the substrate and just above it. Corys are the only and first ones to encounter these.

Albinos fins appear to be very sensitive for that.

Oh, ok! What should i do about that? How can i keep it from happening?

 

[StarGirl]

Oh, ok! What should i do about that? How can i keep it from happening?

I dont think you really can. They will dig for food in the gravel. Thats why sand is better for cories. Vacuuming your gravel really well will help a lot.

 

[BettaFishObsessed]

Hi so this is what i had been talking about earlier, he keeps doing this and staying there until i move something near him and startle him. My other fish are starting to do this as well, and my betta is starting to do the same but on the other side of the decoration. What do i do about this, i assume this isn’t normal? I closely looked at my bettas fins today and i think the cory has fin rot and it has spread to the betta, or vice versa. The fish aren’t having trouble swimming normally- they can do it just fine, but they’re just choosing not to. They dont look bloated or anything either. I dont think this is normal fin rot behavior either? Maybe to cory got brain damage or something, but that wouldn’t explain the betta doing it too? The betta also keeps hiding behind the filter and all fish will do this upside down trying to swim under decorations thing. H e l p

 

[StarGirl]

Keeping their water super clean will help the most.

 

[DoubleDutch]

I'd euthanise the cory and think about making a sandbeach (if you don't want to swap the gravel).

 

[BettaFishObsessed]

I'd euthanise the cory and think about making a sandbeach (if you don't want to swap the gravel).

Why? What do you think is wrong with him? Also all of the fish are acting like that, does that mean i should euthanize all of them?

Keeping their water super clean will help the most.

Ok, thanks!

 

[BettaFishObsessed]

I have been monitoring the Cory a little more closely and I think the erratic swimming is just the new patterns of swimming he has to do since he doesn’t really have fins other than tiny stubs anymore, so my main thing now is just fixing the fin rot and checking if theres any thing i can do to make life easier for him since itll take a while for his fins to grow back. He kept getting stuck under a marimo moss ball i had so i took it out of the tank, is there any other suggestions yall have?

 

[BettaFishObsessed]

Hi, for tank info about tank mates and set up just look at the aquarium info real quick. Weekly water change 50% and according to some other advice on the forum I’m going to start doing it more often for clean water to treat the fin rot. So my albino Cory jumped out of the tank about a month ago, his fins tore, and developed fin rot, his fins are getting smaller. because of his small fins he’s having a little trouble swimming. Any advice and or second opinions on treating the fin rot (other than clean water), and making life easier for him while it heals. Hes not being harassed by other fish or anything and no one else has fin rot (i THINK the betta might have a tiny bit but ik how to treat that). they are kept on a very smooth gravel and i was warned to vaccuum the gravel every time they eat because of ammonia build up. Anywya, advice on treating fin rot and making life easier for him?

 

[Broggy]

that's pretty bad, does it have any pectoral fins? does it still try to swim around? try API fin and body cure

 

[BettaFishObsessed]

that's pretty bad, does it have any pectoral fins? does it still try to swim around? try API fin and body cure

He does, but they are pretty much just stubs. None of the fins have rotted down the body yet but its close. (Do keep in mind it has only rotted a little, most of them just tore a lot off when he fell). He does try to swim around, but its more of just wiggling and moving forward slowly, he gets stuck under things sometimes (decor, plant roots, etc.), and I’m moving the things hes getting stuck under. some of the time he just chills on the bottom, but thats sort of expected. I will try API fin and body cure, thanks for the suggestion! Should i just use the recommended dosing on the back?

 

[BettaFishObsessed]

that's pretty bad, does it have any pectoral fins? does it still try to swim around? try API fin and body cure

Should i quarentine him to use API fin and body cure? In other words, will it hurt the healthy fish i have in there or can i use it in the main tank?

 

[BettaFishObsessed]

I have made a few posts about this but never gotten any definitive replies. Tank is 10 gal, 3 other cories (no issues), 1 betta (a little bit of fin rot caught from the cory). (Note: I know albino cories should be kept in larger tanks but i am going to upgrade them when they get bigger, they are still young/small). Ammonia 0ppm nitrites 0ppm nitrates 5ppm, pH 7.0. My albino cory jumped out of the tank about a month ago and his fins tore. He has since developed some mild fin rot, but even that is dangerous since his fins tore off so much, snd some of them are mostly gone. My betta also got a bit of mild fin rot from the cory, but that isnt really the point of this post seeing as I know how to deal with that. Im doing water changes often and it isn’t really helping. I was recommended to use API fin and body cure. Is that a good idea? Also does it contain any salt? I saw some reviews saying it might. Thanks in advance!

 

[NevermindIgnoreMe]

I have made a few posts about this but never gotten any definitive replies. Tank is 10 gal, 3 other cories (no issues), 1 betta (a little bit of fin rot caught from the cory). (Note: I know albino cories should be kept in larger tanks but i am going to upgrade them when they get bigger, they are still young/small). Ammonia 0ppm nitrites 0ppm nitrates 5ppm, pH 7.0. My albino cory jumped out of the tank about a month ago and his fins tore. He has since developed some mild fin rot, but even that is dangerous since his fins tore off so much, snd some of them are mostly gone. My betta also got a bit of mild fin rot from the cory, but that isnt really the point of this post seeing as I know how to deal with that. Im doing water changes often and it isn’t really helping. I was recommended to use API fin and body cure. Is that a good idea? Also does it contain any salt? I saw some reviews saying it might. Thanks in advance!

I haven't used API medications, except for their salt, so I don't feel qualified to advise you on them. I personally like MinnFinn and salt for finrot, though obviously for this case salt isn't exactly ideal. You could try MinnFinn, but you may want to try a hydrogen peroxide swab on the fins first. I personally would try a swab.

 

[BettaFishObsessed]

I haven't used API medications, except for their salt, so I don't feel qualified to advise you on them. I personally like MinnFinn and salt for finrot, though obviously for this case salt isn't exactly ideal. You could try MinnFinn, but you may want to try a hydrogen peroxide swab on the fins first. I personally would try a swab.

Okay, thanks! How do I do a swab? I havent been able to find any comprehensive instructions online, although I suppose 20 minuted of searching isnt a lot

 

[NevermindIgnoreMe]

Okay, thanks! How do I do a swab? I havent been able to find any comprehensive instructions online, although I suppose 20 minuted of searching isnt a lot

I know Jenny Lynx has a video on it, also I have only tried them on goldfish. With smaller, more skittish fish it may be more difficult. You may even need to sedate them a bit in a separate contain before hand with a bit of clove oil.
For the swab: You will need a cotton ball or q-tip, and some hydrogen peroxide. Wash your hands well, and dip the cotton ball/qtip in the hydrogen peroxide. Gently pick up the fish if you can, making sure the affected areas of the fins are exposed to air, then gently swab over each affected area once and return the fish to water. You don't want to kill too much off, some is good, so it's best to swab just once or twice a day.

 

[BettaFishObsessed]

I know Jenny Lynx has a video on it, also I have only tried them on goldfish. With smaller, more skittish fish it may be more difficult. You may even need to sedate them a bit in a separate contain before hand with a bit of clove oil.
For the swab: You will need a cotton ball or q-tip, and some hydrogen peroxide. Wash your hands well, and dip the cotton ball/qtip in the hydrogen peroxide. Gently pick up the fish if you can, making sure the affected areas of the fins are exposed to air, then gently swab over each affected area once and return the fish to water. You don't want to kill too much off, some is good, so it's best to swab just once or twice a day.

Okay, thanks! Hope this goes well, lol

 

[sfeath]

you also might want to move the injured cory to a separate tank or isolate him, in a breeder box, it will stress him a little to be alone, but cories usually have terrible self preservation instincts (byproduct of being so hard to eat) so if your betta is nipping at him at all he might just not be moving away!

also i see that you have gravel, which can irritate the cory's soft underbelly, even if it is smooth. it also makes it a little harder for the cories to get food! the barbels look fine right now, but if you see them start to rot or shorten, move him off the gravel if you can. good luck!

 

[BettaFishObsessed]

you also might want to move the injured cory to a separate tank or isolate him, in a breeder box, it will stress him a little to be alone, but cories usually have terrible self preservation instincts (byproduct of being so hard to eat) so if your betta is nipping at him at all he might just not be moving away!

also i see that you have gravel, which can irritate the cory's soft underbelly, even if it is smooth. it also makes it a little harder for the cories to get food! the barbels look fine right now, but if you see them start to rot or shorten, move him off the gravel if you can. good luck!

I dont have a separate place to isolate him sadly, otherwise i would. i know that the betta isnt nipping him though, his fins never have bite marks, the betta spends most of its time hiding and never notices him, and im looking at them a lot of the time and never see the betta even bother the cories.
Also I will switch it out with sand if anything starts to happen! He seems fine now, but i will switch it if anything happens like i said. Thanks!

———————
NevermindIgnoreMe
Also, i don't think i want to try doing a swab with him. Well, correction, i do want to, but I don’t think i can tbh. He is very small and very skittish, so theres 100% no way I could pick him up without him jumping out of my hand or the water, and i couldn't hold him down in any way without hurting him. He also wouldn't hold his tail still enough for me to be able to put the hydrogen peroxide on it. Also, corydoras can “sting” like most catfish and I don’t have any gloves that could really protect my hand from that. I can just see so much going wrong with trying that with a fish like him. Or, more specifically, i can just see so much going wrong with ME trying that with a fish like him, lol. If anyone has any advice for doing something like that, I may try it, or if anyone can suggest another medicine. I still want to try the API fin and body cure like someone suggested but if theres a better option ill use that. I might try the Minfin after some more research

 

[NevermindIgnoreMe]

I dont have a separate place to isolate him sadly, otherwise i would. i know that the betta isnt nipping him though, his fins never have bite marks, the betta spends most of its time hiding and never notices him, and im looking at them a lot of the time and never see the betta even bother the cories.
Also I will switch it out with sand if anything starts to happen! He seems fine now, but i will switch it if anything happens like i said. Thanks!

———————
NevermindIgnoreMe
Also, i don't think i want to try doing a swab with him. Well, correction, i do want to, but I don’t think i can tbh. He is very small and very skittish, so theres 100% no way I could pick him up without him jumping out of my hand or the water, and i couldn't hold him down in any way without hurting him. He also wouldn't hold his tail still enough for me to be able to put the hydrogen peroxide on it. Also, corydoras can “sting” like most catfish and I don’t have any gloves that could really protect my hand from that. I can just see so much going wrong with trying that with a fish like him. Or, more specifically, i can just see so much going wrong with ME trying that with a fish like him, lol. If anyone has any advice for doing something like that, I may try it, or if anyone can suggest another medicine. I still want to try the API fin and body cure like someone suggested but if theres a better option ill use that. I might try the Minfin after some more research

Yes, those were concerns of mine as well. I thought it might be worth a try though. Alternatively you could try a hydrogen peroxide bath/dip, if you do it might be advisable to make the bath a shorter time.

 

[BettaFishObsessed]

Yes, those were concerns of mine as well. I thought it might be worth a try though. Alternatively you could try a hydrogen peroxide bath/dip, if you do it might be advisable to make the bath a shorter time.

I could try a bath. What concentration of hydrogen peroxide would i use? And for how long? I am also a little concerned about it stressing him out to move him back and forth daily, should i worry about that?

 

[NevermindIgnoreMe]

I could try a bath. What concentration of hydrogen peroxide would i use? And for how long? I am also a little concerned about it stressing him out to move him back and forth daily, should i worry about that?

Just your over-the-counter 3%. I'd do 9 parts tank water mixed with 1 part hydrogen peroxide, dip for about 20 seconds. Yes, it would be stressful, but so would any treament. It's important make sure you carefully monitor the fish and be as gentle as possible. If you think the stress is causing more harm than good then by all means stop. You may even want to wait a day between treatments just to monitor behavior.

 

[BettaFishObsessed]

Just your over-the-counter 3%. I'd do 9 parts tank water mixed with 1 part hydrogen peroxide, dip for about 20 seconds. Yes, it would be stressful, but so would any treament. It's important make sure you carefully monitor the fish and be as gentle as possible. If you think the stress is causing more harm than good then by all means stop. You may even want to wait a day between treatments just to monitor behavior.

Alright, i will try that! If it doesnt end up working i will update and probably try the API fin and body cure! Are you sure 20 seconds will be enough to make a difference?

 

[NevermindIgnoreMe]

Alright, i will try that! If it doesnt end up working i will update and probably try the API fin and body cure! Are you sure 20 seconds will be enough to make a difference?

Alright! I can't say for sure how effective it will be, finrot is finicky, but it's the recommended amount. It's a high concentration and you don't want to overdo it, but feel free to adjust if you think the fish can take it.
Best of luck!!

 

[BettaFishObsessed]

Alright! I can't say for sure how effective it will be, finrot is finicky, but it's the recommended amount. It's a high concentration and you don't want to overdo it, but feel free to adjust if you think the fish can take it.
Best of luck!!

Okay, thank you! I will update in a little while : D