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I have a 20g tank stocked with 5 cories, 2 ottos, 1 platy, and a few plants. One of my cories has been breathing at the surface a lot this evening. I realize it is normal for cories to occasionally take breaths at the surface, but this has one has been doing this more often than normal, and for longer periods of time. I've seen the fish go to the surface three times in about an hour, and it stays there for about 30 seconds, then goes back down to the bottom. It doesn't have any apparent physical symptoms. I do thorough water changes every week, using chlorine neutralizer, and my parameters are normal. Temp is about 77 degrees. My fish have been very healthy for a long period of time, and I'm not even sure that there's anything wrong with this fish, I just want to stay on the safe side. If anyone has any ideas, I would be very grateful.

I've seen this behavior before, and associate it with a sick catfish. Usually whenever I notice a Corydoras lingering a long time at the surface, they succumb to some kind of ailment within a couple of weeks. I hate to say it, but this doesn't sound good. Unfortunately, I have no idea what the cause or a possible solution could be. I've never seen an answer to this problem on the Internet or in any books, though it isn't a rare occurance. I wish I could help you, but all that can be said is that there's a good chance something is wrong, if past experience serves any guide. Sorry, I'm not much good here.

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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."

Thanks for trying, sirbooks. I'll keep you posted on what happens to this little fish.

The fish might be ill, in which case check for all the usual gill infections like flukes, fungus, etc. Its possible that this behaviour is also compulsive as a result of neurological damage from a toxin, or a protozoan infection.

Lastly, dont discount the obvious immediately, one fish looking for oxygen can often be the first sign that the tank oxygenation might be a bit low, or perhaps that more substrate level circulation might be needed. What substrate do you use, and do you disturb it regularly, and do you perform deep cleans with a gravel vac? Some folks just skim the surface, but you need to really get right in there now and again.

The cory has been acting fine since I posted this thread, so I don't know what was up. I'm still watching it carefully to make sure it doesn't act up again, though. Thanks for the tip about gravel vaccuuming down to the bottom, longhairedgit. I usually just skim the surface, so I'll have to start being a little more thorough.