cory that is not social

mk1102 · Post by **mk1102** » 02 Feb 2006, 01:07

Ok I am new so give me credit for trying to find out what is best. I bought some cories a while back and did not know to keep them in groups. I bought 2 of each kind being panda, albino, and peppered. One of the albino died within a few days. I notice I always see the peppered together and the panda off on their side of the tank but the albino is always sitting off by himself. Should I get another albino or is he just being stubborn and not wanting to joint either group. I was actually thinking of adding 2 more of each kind when I can find them. The LFS just got in their shippment Yesterday and all the peppered died within a day they claim its due to them being wild caught. And the panda I am not having any luck finding. This will not be for a while due to a current problem with the tank. We have a slight fluke problem found on a goldfish that is in with them. Don't worry the goldfish leaves the cories alone its the big round slow goldfish type but the cories seem to like to pick on the goldfish when its resting. Also I will ask again is prazi safe to use on cories?? And also can any of these interbreed? I worry about that and do not know the real names just what I was told. I have 12 tanks in my house so seperating out groups should be no problem.

snowball · Post by **snowball** » 02 Feb 2006, 12:17

Corydoras do tend to prefer their own kind to hang out with, different species will intermingle but given the choice they stick together. Another albino might be an idea when the fluke is cleared up and the more of each species you can collect the better, once you get to half a dozen or so they seem a lot more relaxed.

I'm not familliar with the prazi medication as it's not sold in my part of the world, but I'd hazard a guess that if it is intended for general aquarium use the corys will take it if you follow directions and do sufficient water changes after the course. If it's a pond medication then might be wise to move either the goldfish or the cats as the dosage may be too strong for them.

Breeding is unlikely with only a few of each species, in any case the goldfish would probably eat the eggs soon after they are laid. This recent thread discusses the chances of interbreeding between species of Corydoras.
http://www.planetcatfish.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=6394

I'd be surprised if the LFS had wild caught peppered cats, they are one of the most commonly breed corys in the trade. Even if they were, it's a poor excuse for losing them all. More likely they succumbed to a unnoticed disease or poor water conditions.

Kana3 · Post by **Kana3** » 02 Feb 2006, 12:37

I agree with Snowball, in acquiring some friends for your Albino.

Flukes are interesting little beasts. They're actually born pregnant! That saves a bit of time. Have you been able to actually see them? (I assume so...) What's the active ingrediant in Prazi? Is it Formalin?

mk1102 · Post by **mk1102** » 03 Feb 2006, 00:13

Here is a site about prazi that lists its content. It is not a formalin based product. Its said to be safe on all aquatics but then so does alot of meds that are not. I found the flukes though a gill snip on the goldie. It kept falshing and I could nto figure out why I have did a slime coat scrape and looked through the microscope at it several times without finding anything. I decided to go the extra mile and found flukes in a gill snip.

http://www.mops.ca/cgi-bin/SoftCart.exe ... ?E+scstore

Kana3 · Post by **Kana3** » 03 Feb 2006, 00:41

Well, we have other Hikari products here (food), so it's possible that Prazi is on the shelf somewhere. Looks like it's a bit of an all-rounder parasite cure. The text I have lists alternatives, followed by "Use With Extreme Care!". So you may be better off with Prazi!

Do you use the kids Microscope, or do you have one left over from your Chemistry Set days? And tell me about Gill Snips? I'm keen to learn!

mk1102 · Post by **mk1102** » 03 Feb 2006, 01:13

Prazi is supposedly really safe. But then so is salt and salt with cories is not a good idea so I have been told. I have been told when treating koi that I can triple the dose if nessessary without any harmful affects. I do not have a scope at home yet. the one I want is going to run me close to $900 so its on a want list and will be for a while. I am a sub-teacher at a highschool and use the ones in the science lab there when I get a chance. A gill snip is basically that I could not imagine doing it on a small fish. I hated even trying it on a decent size goldfish. You basically snip a tiny piece of gill fragment and look at it under scope. to do this the fish needs to be sedated. They do not seem to like the thought of tiny sharp objects coming at them.

Kana3 · Post by **Kana3** » 03 Feb 2006, 09:29

Sounds like you're after a stereo-scopic model. Our's is a mono, and only half that value. I plan to add a video camera to it shortly. Patch that into the computer, and it should make for some good pictures.

I find it incredible that you even when through the process. I couldn't even imagine cutting a piece out of a fish the size you keep in a tank. What tool did you use?

mk1102 · Post by **mk1102** » 03 Feb 2006, 20:38

I actually used cuticle scissors for this guy but then he is small. Only about 5 inches. I use anything on bigger guys from just plain scissors to a scalpel. I have a wide varity of fish. Not many being in the catfish group though but I am becoming a little addicted to the little guys.