Inactive C. Metae

[sammich]

I was feeding my fish this afternoon when I noticed that my Metae Cory, Mr. Metae, was not moving around much. All of my other Cories were as frisky as they always are, but it seemed as if Mr. Metae didn't even know the food was there. He just sat there. When I was testing the water, I accidentally hit my elbow against my tank, and he moved then, probably because he was scared. The water has no nitrite, no ammonia, and the nitrate was 40, but it's always been that high, even if I do several water changes and add products to reduce it. There aren't any visual signs of any sickness on his body, so...does anybody have any idea what's wrong with him? Or are most Metae cories lazy?

Tank info:

Water parameters
84 degrees
Ph is 7.2.
I change my water once every 8 days.

Tank set up
46 gallons
Gravel
Marineland emperor 400 and a bubblewand
Some fake plants and a plastic log for my pleco
8 cories and 1 common pleco for tankmates
On November 1st, it will be a year old.

[Coryman]

Just a couple of points. Firstly the temperature is a little high for C. metae 74º -78º F would be a better range, you don't say what the other Corys are.

With regard to the high nitrates, I would firstly reduce the amount of food you are putting in the tank and increase the water changes 30% twice a week until the reading drops right down.

Ian

[sammich]

I've lowered the temperature and cut down on the feeding. The other Cory tankmates are:

4 C. Aneus (sp?)
1 C. bilineatus
2 C. diphyes

I meant to say 7 cory tankmates instead of 8 in my previous post.

[Coryman]

They will all be a bit happier at the cooler temperatures and with a reduction in the amount of food going into the tank will give the system a chance to balance out. It would probably benefit to not feed at all for two or even three days and then feed small amounts. The fish will likely be more active with less food going into the tank as they will have to search for it.

Ian