cory catfish fins nipped and almost dead

[rexo-r]

I have 3 panda cory cats and 4 guppies, (1m 3f) one of the catfish had stopped moving and its fins look gone (it seems to still be alive though), and I suspect they were nipped, but am not sure, the back fin is essentially completely gone. It's a 10 gallon tank by the way. Does anyone know what's happening? Does anyone have any advice?

 

[NoodleCats]

What are your parameters? I suspect more than likely severe fin rot rather than nipping...

 

[rexo-r]

I just realized that the nitrates and nitrite levels are quite high, but I am not sure the best way to lower it, as I have just done a water change 1 week ago, should I be doing it more often than that to lower the nitrate and nitrite levels? Also, the ph is kind of low, is there a good way to higher it?

 

[Improperbeard]

I just realized that the nitrates and nitrite levels are quite high, but I am not sure the best way to lower it, as I have just done a water change 1 week ago, should I be doing it more often than that to lower the nitrate and nitrite levels? Also, the ph is kind of low, is there a good way to higher it?

Was your tank cycled? How lows the pH. If it's too acidic the bacteria can die off that eat up nitrites.

You can raise pH by baking soda, or by using crushed coral. All should be done slowly.

 

[NoodleCats]

Nitrites being present are a problem, means your cycle isnt finished and that would for sure cause fin rot in fish.

 

[fishorama]

I agree with NoodleCats. You can safely change water every day. Since your nitrate & nitrite are high it would be a good idea to change 20% as often as you can. That's only 2 gallons in your tank, not too difficult.
Do you have actual numbers for your nitrite & nitrate? Any nitrite can cause problems & needs to be controlled ASAP. Nitrate is not as harmful but is something to watch.

 

[rexo-r]

I'm not entirely why the nitrate and nitrites are so high, because I did cycle the tank for around a month with only white cloud minnows in it so I'm not entirely sure why the levels are so high, but I will do that 20% water change as often as possible.

 

[Improperbeard]

Maybe your bacteria is dying? Is your pH so low/acidic that it's weakening the bacteria?

Are you washing your sponges/biofilter with chlorine? Maybe that's killing the bacteria. There could be a million reasons why, such as those mentioned, overfeeding, infrequent water changes, or whatever is sitting in your gravel, etc

 

[NoodleCats]

Has anything changed recently? Plants dying? Snails dying?

 

[rexo-r]

the reason i think it's nipping is really cause I just bought the cories a week or so ago and 1 is already dead...