PlanetCatfish.com

Hi,
I have had 2 cory aeneus for the past 6 or 7 months. One has grown, while the other has not grown much. the larger one has no probems at all, while on the other hand the smaller one startedd off with his dorsal fin being a bit ragged and then just under the right eye, there is what looks like a small whitish patch. on looking closely it looks like one or 2 scales are coming off, but it has been like this for only the last few days. Since 2 days, the cory can't stay on the bottom and is always swimming in the top part of the tank and only stops to rest inbetween plant leaves. it's eating from the surface.
what does the fish have? swim bladder disorder? i've already had fish with that trouble, and they really can't balance themselves, while the cory can, it just can't stay on the bottom.
could someone please tell me what the fish could have, so at least i can try and cure it as i do feel sorry for it as it hardly ever stays still and i don't think that's good for corys as they usualyy stya on the bottom.
thanks
roby

Need more information about tank set up, water quality. what type of substrate do you have, anything that might help. pictures of tanks and fish could also help.

you're right.
i have sand substrate (very fine sand) and the bottom dwellers love it. i tested water last week and it was fine: ph 7. GH 8. KH 4-5. i'll test it again tomorrow (here in italy it's 1am ). nitrites=0, nitrates minimum.
the tank is full of plants and has hiding places. I change 30% of water each week with RO water and I add mineral salts.
the other companions are another cory aeneus, 3 botia nigorlineatus, khuli loaches, a couple of rams, some rasbora and amano shrimp. tomorrow morning i'll try and phtograph the cory and i'll take a photo o fthe whole tank.
thanks
roby

i haven't been able to take photos yet as I don't have the camera, but I was watching the cory today and it seems that it lets out small bubbles of air. i odn't know if this is because it's always near the water surface or for some other reason. i was reading around on internet and came about an article talking of constipation. could this be the problem maybe? would maybe giving it peas help?