Sick(or extremely lazy) Spotted Cory. Help!!?!!?!?!?!?

isley887 · Post by **isley887** » 08 Feb 2005, 00:21

Temp: 76 F
pH: about 6.8-7
I have just a small tank, so i don't have alot of test kits. However, I did test my water at a pet store, and my hardness, nitrite, nitrate, and ammonia levels were just fine. It's a 10 gallon tank, gravel bottom, filter works just fine, with plastic plants, a couple rocks (thoroughly cleaned (boiled, scrubbed w/o soap, etc.)).

Fish: 3 black tetras
1 male guppy
2 lyretail mollies (1 male, 1 female)
some sort of flounder
2 spotted corydoras
A few live plants (a banana plant, and some other bottom plants)

Of the 2 spotted corys, 1 is a big, fat, dark brown fish with erect fins. He is very active, and changes position often. The other is a pale grey, with light spots. (S)he holds her/his fins close to the body, but i did get a good look at them and they aren't ripped. There are no visible sores or problems with it. It is emaciated, very, very pale, and moves only when provoked. It has been like this for a few weeks, but the color has been getting steadily paler. I was thinking the big one, probably a male, was exhausting the female..., but I don't think that is the case. I asked the guy at the pet store, but all he said was "some are lazier than others, they're all different." Please tell me what is wrong. I haven't done anything in terms of medication.

Post by **corybreed** » 08 Feb 2005, 00:46

If all the other fish are doing well I would not medicate the tank. It is possible the Cory in question has some sort of internal parasite. Is it eating? Are the eyes and or stomach sunken in? If it has reached this point it is probably to late to medicate.

Mark

isley887 · Post by **isley887** » 08 Feb 2005, 02:38

I have never seen either of my corys eat anything, but this one never really moves. he has been in the same spot for 2 days now. his eyes are fine, and since he's so pale i can see his bones and organs, and they look okay. It's really confusing.