Need Help With Rescued Cory

HI everyone,
I just joined Fishlore yesterday, and already need some advice! While I was at Walmart getting some cat litter I walked by the fish tanks, and noticed a little albino Cory dashing madly around the tank. A bunch of male guppies were chasing him, and on closer inspection, I saw that most of the Cory’s tail was gone, as well as his/her fins! S/he was the only Cory in the tank, and seemed to be beating itself against the glass trying to get to the Cory in the adjoining tank. The Cory in the adjoining tank was the only fish in the tank, and was very calm compared to the injured(?) Cory, but also swam up and down beside the glass whenever the injured Cory came near - as if it, too, was trying to get to the other Cory. I didn’t know a lot about Cory’s, but felt so sorry for the tailless one, and the clear message the two were sending that they were trying to reach each other, that (you guessed it) I bought both! I know, I know......

I put them in my little quarantine tank, which has sand substrate, and after a minute of dashing around a little, they settled down next to each other, and within a few minutes started sifting through the sand. I probably don’t need to tell you that the store tanks were bare bottomed, and th only food for the Cory in with the guppies was fish poop

I fed them some crushed up freeze-dried shrimp, and they loved it. Today both are doing fine, but I’m concerned about the poor little tailless Cory. I’m going to try to upload a pix, and welcome any advice you have!

 

seems like you're not new to the fish hobby. and probably know about the nitrogen cycle.

I would do frequent water changes to keep the injured cory from getting sick or infected. some Pimafix and Melafix wouldn't hurt.

 

seems like you're not new to the fish hobby. and probably know about the nitrogen cycle.

I would do frequent water changes to keep the injured cory from getting sick or infected. some Pimafix and Melafix wouldn't hurt.

Thank you Skavatar! I’m not a complete newbie, but it’s been a while since I’ve had fish. I do know about the nitrogen cycle, and the first thing I set up when getting back into fish keeping was a well cycled quarantine tank for any emergencies.

I’m going to Petco today, and will definitely pick up some Pimafix and Melafix - probably should have had some on hand already!

 

Thank you Skavatar! I’m not a complete newbie, but it’s been a while since I’ve had fish. I do know about the nitrogen cycle, and the first thing I set up when getting back into fish keeping was a well cycled quarantine tank for any emergencies.

I’m going to Petco today, and will definitely pick up some Pimafix and Melafix - probably should have had some on hand already!

I suggest Kanaplex, Marycin, or Erythromycin. Melafix and Pimafix are for mild symptoms, especially since his fins look so bad it's better to use stronger medication. Just keep up with the water quality and watch for weird behavior. Get him some frozen brine shrimp or blood worms to help him out. And I suggest Omega one bottom feeder pellets (orange bottle) with great ingredients.

 

I suggest Kanaplex, Marycin, or Erythromycin. Melafix and Pimafix are for mild symptoms, especially since his fins look so bad it's better to use stronger medication. Just keep up with the water quality and watch for weird behavior. Get him some frozen brine shrimp or blood worms to help him out. And I suggest Omega one bottom feeder pellets (orange bottle) with great ingredients.

Thank you, Makuarium! Both Corys are doing fine this morning, so I’m hopeful for the injured one. Medicating fish is new to me, as my father did all that stuff when I was a child. I’m concerned that the anti-bacterial meds will mess up the water parameters in my little quarantine tank, as I know I shouldn’t turn off the filter (to try to save the good bacteria in it), and I’m not sure if an air stone would keep the tank stable while doing the recommended frequent water changes. Your thoughts?

 

Thank you, Makuarium! Both Corys are doing fine this morning, so I’m hopeful for the injured one. Medicating fish is new to me, as my father did all that stuff when I was a child. I’m concerned that the anti-bacterial meds will mess up the water parameters in my little quarantine tank, as I know I shouldn’t turn off the filter (to try to save the good bacteria in it), and I’m not sure if an air stone would keep the tank stable while doing the recommended frequent water changes. Your thoughts?

You're welcome
That's good that they are doing well, if your Cory gets even better by tomorrow you may not need to use medication! An Airstone is would be helpful. I'd put one one in for sure if you do medicate. A secondary infection is likely when a fish is injured and vunerable, so medication is more likely.
(I'd also make sure to get some more corries in the future, 4 at the least, it will make them more comfortable).

 

You're welcome
That's good that they are doing well, if your Cory gets even better by tomorrow you may not need to use medication! An Airstone is would be helpful. I'd put one one in for sure if you do medicate. A secondary infection is likely when a fish is injured and vunerable, so medication is more likely.
(I'd also make sure to get some more corries in the future, 4 at the least, it will make them more comfortable).

When I didn’t hear back from you yesterday About the meds messing up the bacteria in the little tank, and I would have wanted to move the healthy Cory anyway if I used meds (just in case) - I decided to hold off on the meds, and put them both in the 29 gallon that was ready for fish, but I was waiting until I got it completely planted. It dawned on me that because I had put a couple of pieces of MopanI Wood in that tank, and there was enough tannin leaking to tint the water a tiny bit, that it might be good for the injured Cory - since tannin has antiseptic properties. Well, both Corys seemed thrilled to have so much room, and today they are both eating and exploring, and seem happy. I had put Ec-Complete in that tank as the substrate, because I want it heavily planted, and hadn’t really planned on getting catfish, so I took a brand new (never used) Pyrex glass casserole dish, and made a bed of black sand for the Corys to root around in, which they do because I try to make sure that their food settles on it, but I also see them rummaging around the ‘gravel’ too. Here’s a pix of the injured Cory (which I think is a female) on her ‘dinner plate’. It’s so good to know that you think if she’s doing ok tomorrow, that I can hold off on the meds! Thank you!

 

Welcome to Fishlore!!!

I'm gonna agree with Skavatar's advice. Clean water and pimafix/melafix should help heal the fins and grow back. It doesn't look like there's any infection or fungus so stronger meds aren't really necessary yet. I would do 10-25% water changes every day or every other day for a week or two.

Corydoras do better in shoals of 6 or more. The easiest way to sex them is to look at them from above. Females will have bulging sides and the males will be more straight. Females usually have rounded analfins but it might be hard to tell with the damaged fins.

 

Welcome to Fishlore!!!

I'm gonna agree with Skavatar's advice. Clean water and pimafix/melafix should help heal the fins and grow back. It doesn't look like there's any infection or fungus so stronger meds aren't really necessary yet. I would do 10-25% water changes every day or every other day for a week or two.

Corydoras do better in shoals of 6 or more. The easiest way to sex them is to look at them from above. Females will have bulging sides and the males will be more straight. Females usually have rounded analfins but it might be hard to tell with the damaged fins.

Thank you, DarkOne! I am doing the water changes, and the tank parameters are staying stable at 0. The little Corys are doing fine this morning - Whew! I had planned on having a school of Lemon Tetras and some fancy guppies in this tank, but now I’m going to get 4 more Corys, and 3 more Lemons (to go with the 3 I already have - when the time is right. These little Corys have stolen my heart!

 

When I didn’t hear back from you yesterday About the meds messing up the bacteria in the little tank, and I would have wanted to move the healthy Cory anyway if I used meds (just in case) - I decided to hold off on the meds, and put them both in the 29 gallon that was ready for fish, but I was waiting until I got it completely planted. It dawned on me that because I had put a couple of pieces of MopanI Wood in that tank, and there was enough tannin leaking to tint the water a tiny bit, that it might be good for the injured Cory - since tannin has antiseptic properties. Well, both Corys seemed thrilled to have so much room, and today they are both eating and exploring, and seem happy. I had put Ec-Complete in that tank as the substrate, because I want it heavily planted, and hadn’t really planned on getting catfish, so I took a brand new (never used) Pyrex glass casserole dish, and made a bed of black sand for the Corys to root around in, which they do because I try to make sure that their food settles on it, but I also see them rummaging around the ‘gravel’ too. Here’s a pix of the injured Cory (which I think is a female) on her ‘dinner plate’. It’s so good to know that you think if she’s doing ok tomorrow, that I can hold off on the meds! Thank you!

Wonderful wonderful!!!!! ️️️ I'm glad I could help, so sorry about the late response but I hope your corries are still doing amazing

 

Good thinking Barbara.

 

Wonderful wonderful!!!!! ️️️ I'm glad I could help, so sorry about the late response but I hope your corries are still doing amazing

Thank you, Makuarium! Both Corys are still doing fine, and the injured one’s tail and fines are growing back already - it’s only been a week, tomorrow!! Here’s a pix of ‘her’, and one of her buddy (who I think is a male) - what do you think?

Good thinking Barbara.

Thank you so much, DoubleDutch! I just uploaded today’s pix of both the Corys, and think I’ve got a male and a female. When do you think it will be safe to get 4 more, so they will have their little school?

 

Thank you so much, DoubleDutch! I just uploaded today’s pix of both the Corys, and think I’ve got a male and a female. When do you think it will be safe to get 4 more, so they will have their little school?

I don't see white edges of bacterial finrot.
Edit : Sorry you didn't add meds !
Cause I don't see a sign of bacterial finrot I'd get some soon. You'rr tank and water look incredibly clean, so I think they'll all be all right.

 

I don't see white edges of bacterial finrot.
Edit : Sorry you didn't add meds !
Cause I don't see a sign of bacterial finrot I'd get some soon. You'rr tank and water look incredibly clean, so I think they'll all be all right.

Many thanks, DoubleDutch! I’m excited to be able to go shopping (at a reputable LFS, not Wally World where these came from!) to get 4 more! I put the 3 Lemon Tetras, who had been in my Betta tank) in with the Corys today, and they are forming a little school and getting along together very well

 

I just wanted to update everyone who responded with your greatly appreciated advice! The little injured Cory is thriving! I got 4 more, they are a happy little school. I can’t recognize the Cory I bought with the injured one now that there are 6, but I can recognize the injured one because she has a little white bump on her top fin (where the spin was broken and is regrowing) - and because whenever I come close to the tank she always flies over to greet me, she really does!!

Here’s today’s pix of her - she’s even beginning to get a V in her tail!! All her other fins are much improved, too, wouldn’t you say?!

Of course my plans for this tank were completely changed by this one little Cory. I had planned to have some fancy guppies, a school of Neon Tetras, and 6 Lemon Tetras. Ha! Now it’s 6 Corys, 6 Lemon Tetras, and a Siamese Algae Eater (and 3 Nerite snails). I’m happy!

Thanks again for all your great advice!

 

I just wanted to update everyone who responded with your greatly appreciated advice! The little injured Cory is thriving! I got 4 more, they are a happy little school. I can’t recognize the Cory I bought with the injured one now that there are 6, but I can recognize the injured one because she has a little white bump on her top fin (where the spin was broken and is regrowing) - and because whenever I come close to the tank she always flies over to greet me, she really does!!

Here’s today’s pix of her - she’s even beginning to get a V in her tail!! All her other fins are much improved, too, wouldn’t you say?!

Of course my plans for this tank were completely changed by this one little Cory. I had planned to have some fancy guppies, a school of Neon Tetras, and 6 Lemon Tetras. Ha! Now it’s 6 Corys, 6 Lemon Tetras, and a Siamese Algae Eater (and 3 Nerite snails). I’m happy!

Thanks again for all your great advice!

Well done !!!! I hate guppies so thank you little Cory hahaha.

 

Well done !!!! I hate guppies so thank you little Cory hahaha.

Thank you!!! Beginner’s luck, I’m sure! I wanted to honor my father, who had fancy guppies and neons, but I’m sure he’s up there smiling, as he knows I’m a sucker for injured/sick animals!

 

Thank you!!! Beginner’s luck, I’m sure! I wanted to honor my father, who had fancy guppies and neons, but I’m sure he’s up there smiling, as he knows I’m a sucker for injured/sick animals!

Florence Corygale . He will be proud and smiling indeed !

 

Well done !!!! I hate guppies so thank you little Cory hahaha.

The only guppies I had before were feeders that I kept in a 10 gallon for my baby oscars. I recently have been looking for dithers for my cories and plecos and guppies are the only happy-go-lucky types that hardly ever get spooked. I currently have 4 pair that have had some fry and I put 7 larger ones in my pleco tank.

 

Florence Corygale . He will be proud and smiling indeed !

Lol!! And I wanted you to know that my father’s nickname was Dutch! I think he had a hand in this!

The only guppies I had before were feeders that I kept in a 10 gallon for my baby oscars. I recently have been looking for dithers for my cories and plecos and guppies are the only happy-go-lucky types that hardly ever get spooked. I currently have 4 pair that have had some fry and I put 7 larger ones in my pleco tank.

Well, my Corys are pretty happy-go-lucky!! It’s hilarious to watch them when they decide to do laps across the tank, and the Lemon T’s form a group in the middle of the tank to watch. Some of the Corys get lapped, so there’s a few going one way, and the rest going the other! This leads to the ‘grocery store dance’, and sometimes an occasional “Oops, pardon me!” collision. The tetras are shouting “Formation! You are supposed to stay in FORMATION!!” Then, after a few minutes the tetras head behind the ferns to gossip and grumble about how the world is going downhill because of these clowns! Very entertaining!

 

C aeneus are fairly outgoing but some cories are pretty shy. My orange lasers and sodalis are 2 that are really shy and hardly ever come out unless there's food. I put 4 juvenile Praecox rainbowfish in with my orange lasers and when the OLCs get spooked, the rainbows swim into the corkscrew vals to hide with them.

 

C aeneus are fairly outgoing but some cories are pretty shy. My orange lasers and sodalis are 2 that are really shy and hardly ever come out unless there's food. I put 4 juvenile Praecox rainbowfish in with my orange lasers and when the OLCs get spooked, the rainbows swim into the corkscrew vals to hide with them.

Lol! Your orange lasers and rainbow fish sound very smart! I’m not familiar with either fish, but I’ll look them up - apparently I’ve been bitten by the ‘tropical fish bug’, so there will probably be more tanks in my future!