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I have a Cory barbatus that has had pink/white mark just back from left eye. Had been there for a month or so and thought it was just a scrape or wound from a fight? Noticed that she was not swimming around much yesterday and took a closer look at her mark to see that it seemed to be deepened by a couple of millimetres. Today she has just barrel rolled around various locations of the tank and has ended up in some java moss. The area now shows blood and I have tried to take a photo. Have added Melafix as suggested by local fish store. Keeping her in community tank as the stress of move I think will kill her. Any advice appreciated.<br>Wolfie

Additional info
Tank been running for just over two years and was a rescue from a friend who gave up and was waiting for the fish to die! 36"x12"x18" with an external fluval 304 filter with spray bar. Planted with Java Fern, Java Moss and Cryptos.Gravel substrate with Bogwood, slate caves and small ship for cover and hidey holes. Stocked with 3 scissortails(r), 1 cherry barb(r), 5 penguin fish(r), 1 clown barb(r), 1 red tail shark, 2 algae eater(1r), 3 cory agazzis, 2 cory barbatus and 4 checkered barbs.(r=rescued) Test done on 5/11/05 pH=6.0 am=0 nitrite=0 nitrate=40ppm. 30 litre water change done on 5/11/05. Usual maintenance routine water change 3 or 4 week of 30 litres (gravel/plants cleaned) and filter cleaned every other time. 15ml of Melafix being added each day now.

Sounds like she has caught some necrotising bacteria or fungus,and she may be getting septacaemia as a result.The melafix is probably a good move, as is keeping her stress to a minimum. If shes keeling over a lot her chances are probably slim, but I wish you the best of luck anyway. You could try slowly upping the temps by a few degrees (slowly!) and keeping the tank dark for a day or two.

It does sound like the fish may be on its way out, but hopefully you'll see a recovery. It's definitely a good idea to stress the barbatus as little as possible, there is little else you can do at this point.

You do a water change every three or four weeks? Your fish would appreciate a greater frequency in changes, since water changes are so important. Many aquarists perform water changes weekly, and tanks which get the weekly changes are less e to outbreaks of disease.



Last edited by sirbooks at 08-Nov-2005 11:32

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And when he gets to Heaven, to Saint Peter he will tell: "One more Marine reporting, Sir! I've served my time in Hell."

Unfortunally she passed on the 9th November 2005. Thanks for all your advice.