Odd Cory Behavior - hanging out like a manatee

So, my oldest peppered cory, who is over 11 years old, has started this new trend of hanging at the surface, vertical for a while and then swimming back down to the bottom. She doesn't look stressed or sick, and just periodically does this, and then goes back to normal. She's an old gal, but still gets around the tank fine and eats normally. Tank parameters are pretty normal, heater is set to about 74, nothing really new or changed in the environment. My newer corys (a few months old) don't do anything odd like this. . She likes to hang out like she a manatee. Any logical reason for this new behavior?
PS Dont mind the reddish tint, I have Floramax bulbs

 

You could make tank for oxygenated . Otherwise I wouldn’t worry if she’s acting normal. She’s very pretty

 

You could make tank for oxygenated . Otherwise I wouldn’t worry if she’s acting normal. She’s very pretty

Thank you =) She's survived through 2 moves and God knows how many fish friends.

I have a bubble wall but I'll give that a go!

 

No problem! She sounds like a true fighter!

 

She got stuck in the filter intake twice today, looks like she got a little injured in the process. I've been reading about salt baths for corys, and it seems to be a strong debate. I have a small 2 gallon tank that I might be able to make a makeshift hospital tank for her if there's meds that will work? Trying to find the best help for the old gal. Thoughts?

 

Hi! I just replied to your other post about her. 11 is extremely old for a cory. Because cories can breathe air for fun, she might just trying to be closer to the surface. Separating her from the school might make her stressed, but maybe a lower water level would make her more comfortable.

Can you cover the intake with a sponge? That will lessen the pull of the filter and won't damage her if she gets sucked against it again. Additionally, do you have any tall, broad-leafed plants/decor near the top of the tank that she could rest on so she's not floating? Or even a thick forest of stem plants would help, too.

 

Hi! I just replied to your other post about her. 11 is extremely old for a cory. Because cories can breathe air for fun, she might just trying to be closer to the surface. Separating her from the school might make her stressed, but maybe a lower water level would make her more comfortable.

Can you cover the intake with a sponge? That will lessen the pull of the filter and won't damage her if she gets sucked against it again. Additionally, do you have any tall, broad-leafed plants/decor near the top of the tank that she could rest on so she's not floating? Or even a thick forest of stem plants would help, too.

what kind of sponge should be used for this process? Never tried that before. Not much in the realm of tall plants. Sadly the best place for that sort of thing around here closed years ago. My current plants are new and nowhere near that tall. I'm curious about the epsom salt thing, but dont want to do more damage to her.

 

I would avoid using salts with catfish. Clean water should help her heal those wounds.

For the sponge, I took a fluval filter sponge a wedged a hole in it with my finger and stuck it on my intake. It's in the background of the pic below. I take it off an rinse it every 2-3 weeks during a water change and pop it back on.

 

I would avoid using salts with catfish. Clean water should help her heal those wounds.

For the sponge, I took a fluval filter sponge a wedged a hole in it with my finger and stuck it on my intake. It's in the background of the pic below. I take it off an rinse it every 2-3 weeks during a water change and pop it back on.

ah nice! I may give that a try tomorrow!

 

How is she?