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I wanted to get some of your opinions on whether or not to buy some C. leucomelas I saw at one of my LFS. I have one leucomelas that was bought partly out of pity since he was by himself, and would like to get him some buddies. In my area, cory species besides the bronze and peppered are very hard to come by. I've been watching the LFS's for months and finally found a group of about 10 of them. My problem is that at least two of them flick around their gills and seem really jumpy. They darted around every time I moved in front of their tank. One good thing is that they are active swimmers. I know they aren't the best purchase as far as guaranteed survival, but I don't know when I'll have another chance to get some. If I do get them, what is the best way to treat them for parasites? Thanks so much for any advice.

I must ask stupid questions because this is the third post where I've had either zero responses or a "this is off topic, but I don't know why everyone has that problem because I don't" response.

In any case, I ended up getting 5 leucomelas and one unexpected napoensis (I think...still comparing pictures). I'm a sucker for the lonely ones, what can I say. All are doing pretty good, but I've seen one flash, so I would like to treat for parasites. I'll try asking one more question: Should I try salt or a methylene blue medication? In a forum search I found someone who said gradually building up salt concentrations worked. I also have Rid-Ich+ which claims to be safe for even scaleless fishes. Any ideas on what would be easiest on the fish and still work?

Hi Fishfin,

I think one of the problems with the question you ask is that the actual question is sort of hidden at the end of a 6-7 line compact chunk of text.

If you put a couple of empty lines in there to separate different chunks of text, and perhaps use a subject title that is more in line with the question at the end of the post, you _MAY_ get a better response.

People in general are lazy, and if they aren't reading the whole message, they may not get to the question. Better formatting of the text may help getting the attention to the important bit...

Sorry, can't help with parasite remedy...

--
Mats

FishFin23

You have asked a question regarding a Cory 'flicking'. But, you have not actually given us any real information to help identify the problem.

Symptoms, 'Flicking'!
1. Is the fish actually bouncing against objects as if trying to knock something off.
2. Is it rubbing as though trying to pacify an itch.
3. Is it just flicking as if suffering from a nervous twitch.

Any other Symptoms?
Not eating!
Listless!
Hollow bellied!
Folded fins!
Body blemishes!

Now some basics.
As in the sticky at the head of this section. It is a good idea to provide basic tank, water conditions and husbandry. Sometimes there are not suitable for the species in question.

Self help.
Often, and its not necessarily the reader being ignorant, but often these problems are repeated several times and people do eventually stop replying. So a little use of the search facility at the top of the page can often reveal the answer, if not, then fire away with your question, but also let us know what YOU have done to help your self.

Now the one thing I have found with keeping Corys for the best part of 30 years is that they tend to be quite resilient when it comes to parasites. Their armor plating tends to protect them from many. Gill flukes and Camalanus worms are probably the two commonest, but I have never actually seen the latter in a Cory. Some aquarists treat all their newly acquired fish against gill flukes, personally I do not, but it would be well worth checking of the available treatments for these parasite, treatments available in the here in the UK may not be available in the USA.

Ian

Hi Ian,
from your experience, what's the most effective way to treat Gill flukes and Camalanus worms ?


Thanks so much

Regards,
Alan

To be honest I have never treated for gill flukes, I have had the occasional fish flick against and object but not had anything that I would consider an infection worthy of chemical treatment.

Camalanus worms I have had in none Cory species, and treated those with A product from a Dutch company called 'Colombo' <http://www.colombo.nl/site_en/aquarium. ... uct_id=126>.

Ian

FishFin,
I've found it isn't at all personal when folks don't respond, as Mats as said. I've found if there's a problem I need to present, I write it out, longhand first(usually in one of my fishy journals), then edit it. This can be very helpful. By the time I'm ready to post the message, the information is usually a bit more terse(compact)in nature. This captures the attention of those who need to see it. I don't get a response everytime, but a good bit of the time. Also, the "preview" button is your friend!