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I have 3 corydoras nattereris in my tank and they seem to all have markings inbetween their eyes and their top fin. They all have them on each side and they are white in colour. Everything else is normal, and their appetite and behaviour is fine. These 3 overcame the gill flukes unlike the other 3 i had . I gave these 3 a salt bath (yes I know cories don't like salt, but it seemed to help and if I didn't they would probably have died just like the other 3 cories). So are these white marks normal? They marks are fairly small.

Last edited by ericm at 18-Dec-2004 18:58

Is there any fuzz with it?

Are the markings identical?

As you know, cories have a habit of looking like they've had a few too many colas if they get spooked or disturbed suddenly. They fly widely about the tank, and end up with scrapes and nicks. Every now and then, one of mine will have a long scrape mark on the head somewhere, sometimes between the eye.

I think the salt, provided it is in moderation, predissolved, and added gradually over the span of a day or days, is good for injuries.

Melafix and/or Pimafix are also good to use in such cases, especially if you suspect it could be an early bacterial infection. This can happen easy with those scrapes and I often use these meds as a preventative. In fact, I put a dose in tonite because my two male white clouds were nearly killing each other in a fight over domination. Fins were ripped and scales were flying. There are so many pathogens in even the cleanest of tanks (due to being a closed environment), that I like to make sure an antiseptic is in the water when a fish has an entryway for bacteria.

The marks are symmetrical. They are on each side. I don't think they are scrapes but I could be wrong.

Do these cories look emaciated or bloated in any way?

Got pics? If you have a digital camera, use flash and take the pic at a slight angle to the glass to avoid flashback. Also, don't take the pic too close so it doesn't blur.

It's hard to say without pics. I'm thinking that if the fish are losing weight, maybe the bony structure is protruding enough to give it the appearance you describe.

What are the water parameters (ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, pH and temp)? If you don't have one or more of these, take a bag of water to the lfs and request them to test it. However, make sure you take something to write down the numbers. Ammonia and nitrite should be zero. 0.25 is not "within range", for example. Nitrates are best kept at 20ppm or lower.

Are you using any type of pH adjuster?

Well I will try to take a pic but it may be hard to see. As for the water parameters...

pH - 7.6
Ammonia - 0
Nitrite - 0
Nitrate - 10-20
Temp. - 79F

And I am not using any pH adjusters.

Sounds good. Nice numbers

Well could it be a loss of weight? Should I try feeding them more? And maybe a few more varities of food?

Hi,

I'm glad to hear your cories are doing better...

As far as I understand, all three cories have the exact same spots on the exact place on both sides of their bodies? Could it be that it's part of their markings?

I have not seen any of those fish myself, but as I was trying to find some information I stumbled upon this.

I must admit that I don't see much difference between the male and the female, but it seems to me as if the male has a white on his body the female hasn't. Perhaps you, with your fish around to compare, can realise whether your markings are normal or not...

Hope it helps.

I just bought 3 more of the same cories and they have the same exact markings. I probably never noticed them on my fish. I think it's normal.

My cories aren't blue in colour, they are more brownish.