I am a new poster to this forum (not a new reader though) and I am having a problem with one of my cory catfish that is breaking my heart. Here is what is going on.
1. Water parameters
a) About 84F (increased to treat what looks like signs of ich - see below - in one of the other cory catfish I have)
b) pH. (7.2)
c) GH. (unsure)
d) KH (unsure)
e)Ammonia, Nitrate, Nitrite, leavels. (Ammonia was 0, everything else I'm unsure)
f) Water change frequency (My water change frequency had been embarassing low. Since ich problem, I cleaned tank out on Sunday, which included a good vacuuming and water change. I plan to do at least 25% every 2-3 days now, unless otherwise recommended here to treat the ich.)
(Most LFS's will check your water and give a list of readings).
2. Tank set up
a) Size. (10 gallons)
b) Substrate. (Gravel)
c) Filtration. (Whisper Filter with cartridge)
d) Furnishings. (Had a cave and fake plants until I removed everything when I cleaned it. I decided not to put it back in while I treat the ich.)
e) Other tank mates. (I have 3 cory catfish and 3 white cloud mountain minnows total.)
f) How long has it been set-up? (Going on 2 years at this location and same set-up 2-3 other years at previous location with additional catfish and minnow tankmates.)
3. Symptoms / Problem description
One of my cory catfish, who is probably 4 or 5 years old, is having a terrible time keeping up his energy and will pretty much let the flow of the water take him wherever it will. Almost all of the time since Saturday morning I have been finding him either on his side at the bottom of tank with very little movement at all (just a flicker of his eye or his gills every so often) or the same way at the very top of the tank.
The only thing that has gotten him to move has been when I put an airstone near him, at which point he seems to try to take large gulps of air.
I feel helpless at this point as I can't figure out what is wrong with him or how to help him. He seems to have a will to live, but is really struggling to survive.
At the same time, I noticed a few small white spots on another cory catfish's fins only. Since then, I've started ich treatment (see #4). However, there do not appear to be spots on this catfish.
4. Action taken (if any)
Gradually increased temperature in tank to 84F and added airstone to increase oxygen flow. Tonight I started aquarium salt treatment, as I had used one dose of CopperSafe on Saturday and salt was recommended to me as a better alternative. CopperSafe was only used once and has been discontinued.
5. Medications used (if any)
Please see #4
**I've never had ich or any problems such as this swimming problem before and would be open to any and all help and suggestions. I feel so helpless at this point.
Thanks so much in advance!
I have another catfish with somewhat different problems. I'm posting about that one in a different thread.