Lifeless, dead acting Cory

urbanpest · Post by **urbanpest** » 26 Nov 2003, 23:03

Hi,

About two months ago I bought 4 peppered Cory's. Gradually, one by one, they have died off, with a good couple of weeks gap between each death.

None have shown any external signs of illness. No gasping, no discoloration (although they did start to look a slight shade darker than the others as they appeared to become worse), no erratic behaviour and no gradual loss of appetite. The only noticeable external change is that their fin looked a little flattened, like it had just flopped or failed to spring up properly.

Their behaviour was the most noticeable change. They sat lifeless on the bottom of the tank. Each day moving less and less. Almost like they were developing some kind of paralysis. Their breathing was slow and they would actually appear dead, but if the glass was tapped they would move briefly, only to stop again in another part of the tank and remain as lifeless as ever. As they became worse, if they were nudged whilst vacuuming the gravel they would simply roll or turn upside down and generally react as if they were dead. Eventually all movement stopped, and I assumed they had died. The one odd thing was that as they became worse the back half of their body, their spine, would curl off to one side. They could straighten out if they made an effort too, but whilst at the bottom of the tank or whilst immobile the tail would curl again. After death it would remain curled.

I have two left of the initial four. And over the last week another one is now developing the same problem. I tried bacterial treatments. I've tested my water several times and there has been no problem there. It only appears to hit one fish at a time. In the tank I also have three black moors and, as is the other remaining catfish, they are quite happy.

I have searched the Internet over and over again seeking any clue as to what the problem could be with absolutely no success. Do you have any ideas?

Many Many thanks.

magnum4 · Post by **magnum4** » 26 Nov 2003, 23:57

Any loss of colour or body weight?

Have you asked your LFS if they can do a skin smears?

urbanpest · Post by **urbanpest** » 27 Nov 2003, 00:03

There isn't a loss of colour, but they do seem to appear a slight shade darker than the healthy ones.

LFS....is that Local Fish Shop??? (sorry, I'm not at all familiar with the acronyms!) I am not sure, but I could look into it.

plesner · Post by **plesner** » 27 Nov 2003, 00:05

LFS....is that Local Fish Shop???

It is (almost). Try positioning your mouse cursor on the 'LFS' and see what happens.

magnum4 · Post by **magnum4** » 27 Nov 2003, 00:07

next question do they still feed? is any bloating apparent?

urbanpest · Post by **urbanpest** » 27 Nov 2003, 00:22

Thanks for that tip : )

No, there is absolutely no bloating. They feed if they can get to the food, but largely they seem to be unable to move and show no desire too. I haven't seen this one feeding for the last couple of days though. He seems to be getting worse fairly rapidly.

magnum4 · Post by **magnum4** » 27 Nov 2003, 00:28

I tried bacterial treatments

which ones have been ineffective so far?

urbanpest · Post by **urbanpest** » 27 Nov 2003, 00:30

Initially I tried one for swim bladder. I have also tried one for finrot, fungus and also a wide range action treatment since the symptoms do not seem to fit any described disease.

magnum4 · Post by **magnum4** » 27 Nov 2003, 00:39

since the symptoms do not seem to fit any described disease.

The problem i'm having is the symptoms fit a few diseases.

My conclusion is that your corys probably have more than one problem. The main cause from what you have told me is a skin parasite.

I recomend protozin full curse, on the understanding that the other treatments have ended and the tank has a good gravel clean/water change first.

urbanpest · Post by **urbanpest** » 27 Nov 2003, 00:45

Thank you so much for your help. I'll visit the pet shop tommorow and pick some protozin up and give it a go.

Thanks again : )

michelle56 · Post by **michelle56** » 27 Nov 2003, 05:13

sorry to hear that. I hope they don't die.

Post by **Coryman** » 27 Nov 2003, 23:49

I have a couple of questions: -

What it the temperature you are keeping the tank at?

What are the Cory species?

What are you feeding?

What filtering do you have on the tank?

Until you/we can determin what is causing the deaths I would not add any chemical treatmwents, in fact I woul sugest that you make 30% water changes every other day, or daily if you have time, for at least five days (3 changes).

Ian