Aloha mai kakou, I had five (5) peppered long fin corys and just recently one went through a very interesting death. As soon as I noticed behavioral differences I began searching through various forums trying to locate similar symptoms and remedies. My cory (who I had for almost a year) lost his bottom whiskers and looked as if his dorsal fin was nipped at (possibly by the australian rainbows -a new addition to the community). After me and my girlfriend noticed some erratic behavior (swimming frantically to the top and bottom -more than usual), we began to keep a more vigilant eye on our little friend. After about an hour of searching we found that corys commonly lose their whiskers when carelessly feeding on sharp surfaces, so we figured his strange behavior was due to an accidental whisker cut upon a newly added volcanic stone (aa lava; rough and porous). However, after feeling assured that our little cory's discomforts would pass we were shocked again to find him floating to the surface, belly up like he had just died. Upon confronting the supposed death I discovered that he was breathing very fast. Searching the internet again I found remedies for digestive problems and many people alluding to a possible constipation issues. My girl friend drove in a panic to the local grocery store and purchased some frozen peas. I boiled the peas and prepared to feed them (after being skinned) to our sick little pal, however, he did not take to the food in his usual manic demeanor. Instead he made very little effort to retrieve the food because he was too busy trying to stay at the bottom of the tank. He kept floating to the top uncontrollably where upon arrival he seemed dead to both me, my girlfriend, and the rainbow fishes that constantly circle for floating things to eat. Luckily the corys are all in good company and came to the aid of their little friend before the rainbows had a chance to nip him. I decided after 2hours and continued floating to the surface that he should be quarantined for his own safety (I did not want to wake up the next day and find him ripped apart by rainbows). He would only eat the peas when I fed them to him by hand and after a while he defecated and then threw up tiny amounts of food. I thought that he was on his way to recovery. When I woke up the next morning he was in his quarantine container (very small but with aeration) not having any difficulty staying at the bottom. So, I thought the worse was over and placed him back inside the community tank (29g). He quickly swam to the bottom and joined his friends that were so loyal during his time of distress. When I arrived home (3:00Pm) I immediately looked for him in the tank and saw that all the other corys were in seclusion. I quickly found out why as I glanced to the top right corner of the tank and saw his tiny 1.5inch bottom floating belly up on the surface -no nips or bites taken from him. The other corys were in deep morning and did not vacate from under the drift wood until feeding time (8:00pm). I was very upset, my girl friend too, I dissected him but did not find any build up of junk in his stomach, it looked as though he passed all of his waste before dying.
My point is: I read a lot of posts about this type of thing sometimes they live and are fine sometimes they die. I was wondering if anyone had advice on the best course of action to take next time this occurs. Mahalo no
My point is: I read a lot of posts about this type of thing sometimes they live and are fine sometimes they die. I was wondering if anyone had advice on the best course of action to take next time this occurs. Mahalo no
