HELP Sick Cory - parasite?

[jparnell]

Hi all
I just got home from being away for a couple of days, so I don't know when this started. Hopefully just today and I can catch it in time.

Albino cory - had him (her?) for about a year now. She's been doing well - no problems at all. Tankmates are 7 pygmy cories, 2 otos, 3 yamato shrimp.

She's sitting on the bottom (normal for her), but breathing heavier than normal, and here's the part I don't like:
- on one side, it looks like blood under the surface, about 1/4 inch behind the gills, and above the side fin - about 1/4 inch in diameter
- on the other side, higher up - not quite at the spine, is a red thing sticking out - about 1/16 of an inch long.

I can't find anything online... I'm thinking maybe parasite of some sort? But I'm not really sure what to do for him. So far I've done nothing. And all I have on hand to use is maracyn, maracyn 2, quick cure, and salt. Suggestions?

 

[Holly9937]

I'm not sure about the red thing sticking out, but try and do a search for septicemia (sp?). I know that can cause red marks/streaks. See if that could be it. Unless you have a QT tank I would hesitate to treat your whole tank for an unidentified problem.
P.S. being alone could really stress it out too, I had an albino that was alone for quite a while (well with two juli corys and they ignored the albino and vice versa) I actually thought something was wrong and considered euthanizing, before I realized they are much happier with their own kind, now hes like a different fish! If he pulls through, you might consider getting it a couple of friends!

 

[jparnell]

Septicemia might be the closest thing I can identify. I'll pick up some medication tonight and see what I can do for him. Any idea on ability to recover from something like that?

I've been trying to find him some friends - easier said than done. My favourite LFS hasn't been receiving them lately. I went to another LFS last week, and was rather distressed at the state of their albino cory tank. I'll definitely keep looking - This is an all catfish tank, so I'll be buying at least one more whether this one pulls through or not (two if he doesn't).

 

[Signus]

How about anchorworm? They cause blood spots where the mouth attaches underneath the scales and have a distinctive color.

Good luck with medicating the poor thing!