2 Cories died today - thoughts on why?

[Azaria]

I had 2 albino cories die this morning. My only thought on why is that perhaps they have velvet? (my betta might) or they just came from the fish store with something because I have only had them a week and one died an hour after I first brough them home.

Water parameters
a) Temperature range
- around 80
b) pH.
c) GH.
d) KH
- I don't check these anymore bcause I just know they are all high. The Ph coming out of my tap is 8.5, also I have very hard water.

e)Ammonia, Nitrate, Nitrite, levels.
These are all good - like, the lowest they can be.

f) Water change frequency
- I have been doing about 20% a day because I am just learning how much they eat and I've been feeding too much so I am suckin the food ack out ;)


2. Tank set up
a) Size
20 gallons

b) Substrate
fish store coloured gravel (but rounded)

c) Filtration
power filter - tank is cycled (housed bettas before)

d) Furnishings.
fish store bought plants and decor

e) Other tank mates.
There were 3 albino cories, 2 panda cories (1 died an hour after we got them home) and one female betta

f) How long has it been set-up?
Cories have been there for a week - tank had bettas in it for 2 months before that. (cleaned tank but not filter)

3. Symptoms / Problem description
Dead fish =( Didn't see any signs. But on a betta site they suggested maybe my betta has velvet so perhaps they have it too?

4. Action taken (if any)

5. Medications used (if any)
none

Thanks

[MatsP]

Albino cories prefer a lower temperature than 80'F, more like 75'F max, and will be happy all the way to low 60's F.

It would be good to get actual readings (numbers) for the ammonia etc. It particularly worries me that the nitrate level, you appear to say "shows no measurable indication", which is normally not right.

Also, that you have been overfeeding may have induced a spike of ammonia/nitrite which later subsided, but left the fish in a bad state.

I would be more agressive with the water changes until the problem is solved - unless you have something directly wrong in your water [1], it would be fine to change pretty much any amount of water, so I'd say a 50% water change next time.


[1] Or you haven't changed water for 6 months or so, and you have "old tank syndrome", where all sort of "good stuff" out of the tapwater has been depleeted, and the lots of "bad stuff" from fish has built up in the tank. Under THESE circumstances, a 10-20% water change may be more of the "right thing".

--
Mats

[Azaria]

I have the liquid amonia tester and it turns lihgt yellow when I first shake it and then doesn't change colour.
But I have taken my remaining 2 out of the tank and put them in a smaller one that I am keeping very clean.
They aren't eating anything though =(
Also - I have a heater in there with them - so I don't need it then? Arrrgh - so much conflicting info.

I only have 2 left - one albino and one panda. I am going to try and find someone who has some of these and see if they want them (I live on an acreage so my high ph water might be affecting them -- hopefully they can go to someone in the city).