Cuts on a cory

PsYcHoTiC_MaDmAn · Post by **PsYcHoTiC_MaDmAn** » 06 Apr 2007, 23:55

I've just noticed 2 cuts on my corydoras paleatus.

now shes active enough, and dosent seem to be having any oroblems swimming (though i will be adding melafix just incase.)

I know my tank is a little hot for them (29c, but i havent got a filter for the other tanks which are kept at lower temps, the only tank that i really have spare for them is a 12" cube, and i'm not really comfortable putting them in a tank that small)

as regard water parameters,
pH 7
Gh 1/2 (11ppm)
Kh 1/4 (5.5ppm)(from the water board)
ammonia/nitrIte both 0mg/l
nitrate 5mg/l or less (dosent show up as 5 on the test kit, but i dont belive its 0)

as regard other inhabitants, nothing sinister. 1 WCMM (left over from previous comunity tank) 4 Nannostomus beckfordi (golden pencilfish) 1 flying fox (Epalzeorhynchus sp) 5 geophagus Tapajos Orange head @ between 3-4", and a single mikrogeophagus ramirezi (another 5 quarantined and ready to go in)

so as you can see theres nothing likly to give her any damage like this (those geos ignore the corys completly)the only thing i can think of is either something sharp in the tank, or its a cut of 1 of the plants somehow.

should i be worrying??

Post by **Marc van Arc** » 07 Apr 2007, 08:27

I certainly don't want to cause any panic, but cuts like these always make me think of bacterial infection. Although I can't rule out anything sharp in your tank - but no plant; perhaps a piece of glass - I truly doubt that scenario.
I'd say that you keep a close watch on that tank and have some anti-bacterial medication at hand.

Btw: what's a WCMM?

countryboi · Post by **countryboi** » 07 Apr 2007, 11:18

White Cloud Mountain Minnow?

PsYcHoTiC_MaDmAn · Post by **PsYcHoTiC_MaDmAn** » 07 Apr 2007, 13:08

i also doubt the it being glass in the tank, as regard the tought about plants it was due to a post made a while back about a panque whod got implaed on a rhizome of a sword or java fern. and had 2 nasty gashes on its underside.

treating with melafix, may pick up some primafix just in case.

any particular anti bacterialto have on hand, i have some general tonic, anti internal bacteria and methalyn blue available. anything stronger and i'll need to go to the vet, and the lot around here dont have a clue when it comes to fish.

and yes, wcmm = white cloud mountain minnow, i was being lazy with the typing

Post by **Coryman** » 07 Apr 2007, 18:11

To me it is the start of the so-called red blotch disease, which in itself is not a disease but a condition, usually caused by stress, a sudden nitrite surge or pH crash can also trigger it.

Treatment is a good water change and a full dose of Melafix, but because of the foaming action caused by the Melafix, you will also need to add a reasonably strong air stone to maximise the oxygen absorption.

Ian