Cory with major illness...what is it?

mpovell · 12-14-2009, 07:03 PM

In the past few days I noticed my cory began swimming quite aloofly, often going to the surface and floating in a perpendicular fashion. I also noticed that its right side fin was almost gone and its rear dorsal fin was almost non-existant. Whatever it is has spread and his scales are now dry looking and for lack of a better term, "scaly" as opposed to the smooth look that cory's usually have. Take a look at the pics. Is this curable or should I get him out of the tank asap? Is it fin rot? I am concerned that I introduced some neons into the tank 4 days ago. After their introduction and 2 neon deaths I began to notice the cory's degeneration. Thoughts? In the photos you can see the discoloration from the rear dorsal fin down to the fin on the side. Your help is much appreciated. There are also major indentations surrounding the right side fin towards the gill.

Judge · 12-14-2009, 08:18 PM

So Sorry MPovell about your Cory. My guess would be fin rot. We have a video tutorial on some common ailments and this is included in the video. Might take a look and see if the photos in the video look like your Cory. If so then we can go from there and think about treatment. Common treatments are Melafix which has decidedly differing views about curative powers, and of course aquarium salt. Not to be confused with marine salt. Keep us posted and we hope for the best. The less stress the Cory has the better.

mpovell · 12-14-2009, 10:10 PM

Great thanks! I viewed the videos and do think it is most likely fin rot of those mentioned, however, based on what I have read and viewed, it doesn't look as if fin rot would explain the scaly-ness and white coloration at the rear of the fish. Can you see that in the photo? The cory used to be smooth and dark as can be seen towards the head. I am also concerned that the new neons may have ich. I've noticed a few white spots. This is becoming disastrous.

So for the fin rot....shall I use a slime-coat type product? Any other suggestions. Also, for the ich, I watched your ich video. It states that salt should be used. I read somewhere else that salt cannot be used with corys is this true and if so, how shall I treat. I picked up some "Kordon Ich Attach" which is 100% organic, but after reading some reviews I'm not so convinced that it will do anything positive. It will most likely get returned. Any experience or thoughts on that product?

Judge · 12-16-2009, 07:22 PM

It may not be safe to use with a Cory Cat so I would raise the temp and try one of the many other products on the market. keep us up to date..

ev3031 · 01-04-2010, 10:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mpovell

In the past few days I noticed my cory began swimming quite aloofly, often going to the surface and floating in a perpendicular fashion. I also noticed that its right side fin was almost gone and its rear dorsal fin was almost non-existant. Whatever it is has spread and his scales are now dry looking and for lack of a better term, "scaly" as opposed to the smooth look that cory's usually have. Take a look at the pics. Is this curable or should I get him out of the tank asap? Is it fin rot? I am concerned that I introduced some neons into the tank 4 days ago. After their introduction and 2 neon deaths I began to notice the cory's degeneration. Thoughts? In the photos you can see the discoloration from the rear dorsal fin down to the fin on the side. Your help is much appreciated. There are also major indentations surrounding the right side fin towards the gill.

This post by mpovell sounds exactly like the problem that i have been having in my aquarium! I had 10 corydora catfish and am now down to 2. I fear that it is too late for my remaining catfish - but i would love to know what i could do to possibly save them! I have a 20 gallon aquarium with the corydoras and i introduced 4 neons to my tank about 6 months ago. I didn't notice anything out of the ordinary until about a month ago - when i saw one of my corys laying at the bottom of my tank on his back. He was also swimming upside down - and in circles trying to reach the surface of the water. He did not survive, but the rest of the fish seemed fine for a while. Then i noticed the corys "whiskers" were missing - and a few of them were missing their tail fins. The corys are also discolored and there is something odd about their eyes. They have become so weak, that they cannot escape the suction of my aquarium filter - so i have kept it unplugged while i am at work.
I don't turn it on unless i can keep a eye on it. I change out about 20% of the aquariums water every other week, as well as clean the plants and filters. I have been trying to do this more because i cannot keep my filter plugged in. I have a bubble and an undergravel filter circulating the water constantly while the filter is not on.
I have been searching the internet as often as i can to try and get some answers on what to do for my fish - but haven't found anything even close until tonight! I hope i still have time to make a difference, but if i cannot save the fish - i would like to know what i need to do to free my aquarium from this disease.
I viewed the video about diseases on youtube - and do think that i have fin rot - but my fish do not have the white around the edges of their fins. Also, would the fin rot promote the odd swimming behavior?
I have had an aquarium for over 10 years and have never had something as devastating as this happen before to my fish! Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated! Thank you so much!