Cory Problem ?

[im4god2]

Hi,

I just noticed over the last couple of days that one of my Albino Cory's has a swelled chest/stomach. It distends about 1/8" compared to my other Albino. It starts just behind the jaw, dropping almost 1/8", and tapers back over its length about 1/2". It doesn't seem to go away, so I don't think it's food. The Cory is about 1 1/2" long, and isn't as active as usual. Pregnant ?

Thanks !

10 gal, 78 degrees, ammonia 0, nitrites <.25, nitrates 20 (just finishing the initial cycle)
6 zebra danio's
2 albino cory's
2 Columbian Red/Blue Tetra's
1 Otto
One small live plant

[Aderynglas]

Hi there,

If your cory is stouter altogether than the others (including the head and tail) then its possible that you have a female there. I notice tho that your tank is "just finishing cycling". If this cory has been in the tank while it cycles then it could be the start of something :( :(.

By the way until your tests are showing 0 nitrItes your tank has not finished cycling, personally I would do a few partial water changes every other day just to head off any problems this little fella might be incubating. HTH

Regards
Paule

[im4god2]

Well, the bulge seems to have gone away. I've been doing 20% water changes daily. Guess it might have been gas. :)

[famman]

Corys do gulp air and digest the oxygen in their stomachs. If you had nitrites, this can feel like burning to the fish's gills. If your cory had burned gills from the nitrites, she may have gulped a lot of air to avoid breathing through painfull gills. I suggest you put in a tonic of some kind, stress coat maybe. And do a water change to bring the nitrites down some more.
good luck
:)