Cory with bloody barbels

wonder woman · Post by **wonder woman** » 13 May 2004, 23:16

I have an adult cory which, I have just noticed, has a bloody mouth/ barbels. This is a sign of infection, correct? (My gravel is not sharp, it's the regular small black aquarium gravel). He is in a planted tank, with a pH of about 7.6 (due to co2). My quarantine/ hospital tank has a few other residents in quarantine, but its' pH is 8.0 (tap water pH), so I'm afraid to put the cory in the hospital tank with such a difference in pH. I have a small (2 or 3g) empty tank I can temporarily set up for the cory, but it is not cycled at all. What should I do? Should I set up the other tank, and take the water from the tank the cory was in? Also, what should I treat the water with? I have either Maracyn, or Maracyn 2 (I forget which), can I use that?
Any help GREATLY appreciated!

Chrysichthys · Post by **Chrysichthys** » 14 May 2004, 16:42

You could treat the cory in situ. It probably has a bacterial infection, which won't be very contagious. I'm not familiar with those remedies, but a broad-spectrum or anti-bacterial treatment would be suitable; but check the label to make sure it won't harm the filter bacteria.