I found my cory stuck against the intake part of my filter, tail in. It's an AquaClear 150. I knocked him out with the net, his tail was bent, and he floated around for a while looking almost dead. He finally came around and started moving around half normal, but seemed a little unstable. Things looked fine, he was looking ok, just hiding under a log. Next thing I know, he's back up, stuck at the intake valve again! I knocked him out again, and he came away from it after a bit of a struggle. He lay on his side (I thought he was dead), then "got up" and started wobbling around the tank. I turned down the intake flow, but it's always been fine in the past, and the intake suction is already quite gentle (this cory has been in my tank for a long time without any trouble). Any ideas and suggestions? He's looking not too bad right now, but this will eventually kill him, I'm sure, if it keeps up.
cory stuck in filter
- Thread starter sdb
- Start date
My cory is now very unstable, not moving around unless someone comes near him. He can't swim properly, seems weak. I think he's on his way out and got stuck in the intake initially because he is so weak he couldn't go against the light current by the intake. Could be due to the water changes I was doing (too quickly) when I was trying to lower the nitrates. I hope I don't lose any more fish due to my mistake......
Mercy
It might be time for a mercy killing, if he isn't dead yet.
Don't let hm die in the tank, you risk the other fish eating on him and being exposed to whatever it is that has him so ill.
It might be time for a mercy killing, if he isn't dead yet.
Don't let hm die in the tank, you risk the other fish eating on him and being exposed to whatever it is that has him so ill.
You might want to put some kind of prefilter on your intake thingy. I just took a small sponge and wrapped it around the intake and held it there with a rubber band. Works fine and the filter is still getting the same amount of water.
Reason I did this is because one of my frogs had his head and front legs stuck in the intake. I got him out and he's ok now, but I didnt want to take any more chances.
(it was kind of funny, now that its all over)
Reason I did this is because one of my frogs had his head and front legs stuck in the intake. I got him out and he's ok now, but I didnt want to take any more chances.
(it was kind of funny, now that its all over)
Yup, he's done for, I'm sorry to say. I've seen something very similar in one of my corys, poor guy was tough enough to make it through my bumbling beginner phase, pre-cycling knowledge, I guess the damage was done though.
Take him out and put him in a small plastic cup and put him in the freezer. The low temp will slow his metabolism, he's cold blooded, so no shivering. He'll go to sleep and die. No pain and suffering is ended. Then you can dispose of him as you see fit.
I'm sorry for your loss.
Take him out and put him in a small plastic cup and put him in the freezer. The low temp will slow his metabolism, he's cold blooded, so no shivering. He'll go to sleep and die. No pain and suffering is ended. Then you can dispose of him as you see fit.
I'm sorry for your loss.
Healthy fish just don't get stuck to filters so chances are he is sick. Other than euthanasia you will have to set up a hospital tank with a box filter.
How could a hospital tank be set up right away? It wouldn't be cycled or anything. What's a box filter? I do have a 5 gal sitting empty.
Do you have an HOB filter for the 5g? If so you're set.
Set up the 5g. Thoroughly clean the filter sponge from your AC150 in the 5g tank, squeeze it directly into the filter for the 5g, this should cycle it immediately. Add about a tbsp. of table salt. You should be good to go in about an hour or so. Just let the water clear up, it shouldn't take too long to settle.
Good luck.
Set up the 5g. Thoroughly clean the filter sponge from your AC150 in the 5g tank, squeeze it directly into the filter for the 5g, this should cycle it immediately. Add about a tbsp. of table salt. You should be good to go in about an hour or so. Just let the water clear up, it shouldn't take too long to settle.
Good luck.
A box filter is justa simple box full of filter floss with an air pump running a current through it. I like it in my smallest tanks as it creates little current. Not great for over stocking though.
If you are worried about cycling or think the current of the HOB is too much then daily water changes and a single fish should be sufficient, especially with very little feeding.
Add some hiding spots and keep it not brightly lit. That will help the cory feel more comfy.
If you are worried about cycling or think the current of the HOB is too much then daily water changes and a single fish should be sufficient, especially with very little feeding.
Add some hiding spots and keep it not brightly lit. That will help the cory feel more comfy.
I agree with happychem. I don't think I would bother waiting for the water to clear even. I don't think its really necessary.
Box filters are real cheap if you already have an airpump to run them. I wouldn't bother lighting the tank at all. He won't need it with the ambient light in the room and it could only serve to stress him out. Maybe turn one on when you want to check on him but thats it.
Tom
Box filters are real cheap if you already have an airpump to run them. I wouldn't bother lighting the tank at all. He won't need it with the ambient light in the room and it could only serve to stress him out. Maybe turn one on when you want to check on him but thats it.
Tom