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Help my shoal of peppered corys is dwindling fast! In the last week I have lost 2 of my peppered corys with no apparent signs of illness. last night I found another one with essentially no tail fin left and this morning I found another guy with damage to his facial area. He looks like his skin is peeling off.

Tank has been established for 4 months, all water parameters are normal. Last water change was a week ago.

I have been concerned about them for a while as all I have read about corys on this site tells me they should be full of energy. Mine are rarely seen except at dinner time.

What am I doing wrong????

It would help to maybe figure out what was wrong if you could possibly answer a few questions. What are your water parameters? If possible,Please give readings don't just say there fine or normal. What size tank is it? What other fish do you have in the tank with the cories?

Thanks for the reply.

Tank is 45gal. 1200 x 500 x 300

PH: 7
Ammonia: 0
Nitrite: 0
Nitrate: 10
Water Temp: 26 degrees (+ or - 1)

Stock:

1 x Bala Shark (5 inches)
1 x dwarf gourami
2 x guppies
3 x plattys
7 x neon tetras
2 x angels (2inches)
8 x peppered corys

5 x medium sized live plants

With what you've said is their tank mates it makes me wonder if the bala shark, or dwarf guarami, or angels are picking on the little guys...i know the bala shark and angels can show aggression, i'm not so sure of the guarami...I'd pull the corries out and set them up in their own tank, or quarantine tank, treat them with some Melafix to help heal the wounds, and keep an eye on them...

Also if you don't know; as awesome as your angels are with the neons, the angels will more than likely grow up and eat the neons so in my opinion it sounds like it's time for a new tank anywayscorries and neons look great together

heidi michelle

"I've got a great ambition to die of exhaustion rather than boredom." Thomas Carlyle

Have you noticed any type of aggression from anyone in your tank,possibly the angels or the bala shark.You stated that one of your cories had essentially no tail fin left. Did the tail fin look frayed or did it look more even. If it looked frayed that maybe a sign of aggression.If it looked more even that may possibly be a sign of a bacterial infection, which is usually caused by poor water quality. Your tank I'm sorry to say is most likely over stocked and is really putting a burden on your bioload. How often are you doing water changes and how much do you change?If your not already you may want to try to do at least a 25% water change at least once a week. the good water quality will help your fish from being least likely to contract any diseases. If it can be traced to a bacterial infection you can try treating with something like melafix.If possible you may want to quarantine your cories and treat them in there. But I would say that doing the water changes and keeping your water quality as good as you can maybe the best thing you can do for your cories if in fact there's not any type of aggression going on in your tank.
As I also stated your tank does in fact have some stocking issues. Are you aware that neons are in fact one of angelfishs main food sources in the wild. So if you leave them together the neons are most likely later on going to become a meal for your angels. Also bala sharks really need to be in at least a group of 3 to 4 these guys like to school and they will do much better.
Hope this possibly helps you out. Best of luck and happy fishkeeping.

Last edited by Cichlid Keeper at 05-May-2005 22:05

Thanks for getting back to me guys.

I have not witnessed any agression from the Bala shark since I have had him. He wasone of the original fish in the tank (I now know not the best choice for starting out). The dwarf gourami used to be a bit nippy when I had a second one in the tank, but this was generally at one another.

The angels have also been there from day one and are probably the most dosile out of the whole crew. I also now know this will change - particularly to the neon's detriment. I am devising a solution! I'll let you know when I get it sorted.

I am currently doing weekly 25% water changes. Should I alter this?

I have a 10gal QT with four BN's in it which have been there for 2 weeks. Should I transfer them to the community tank and put all of my remaining corys in the 10gal for treatment?

In regards to my stocking issues, I would like to keep the angels and have a shoal of corys as a minimum. Does anyone have some ideas on what I should look to keep or get rid of? Also with my tank size what is the reccommended stocking limit?

It sounds to me like some type of "finrot" tissue disintegration issue. I would recommend some Maracyn/Maracyn 2 combination for treatment. This will cure the rot, as well as any other health issues.
If the BN have been in quarantine at least 14 days, I would say you are safe to transfer them and treat the corys in the QT tank.
The only real issue you have with your stocking is the Bala Shark. This guy needs a school for one, and will rapidly outgrow your tank for two. Balas need at least a 5 foot tank of 90g or more, preferable 125 and 6 feet of length as they reach 14 inches or more.
Depending on your filtration and cleaning regime, you could probably slightly overstock your tank at 45-40 inches of fish, of course depending on individual lengths and movement of fish (a fast swimmer like a danio/ bala shark needs more space than a slow mover like a gourami)
For the rest of your stocking I would say its just fine, and if you remove the Bala Shark, you could easily add some more individuals to your tank.



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Thanks Sneaky-Pete, It looks as though I will be returning my Bala to my LFS.

How many corys do you think my tank can handle?

I was also thinking of adding another gourami, any suggestions?

from reading you measurements the tank is 47 inches long, 20 inches tall, and 12 inches deep, is that right? Hopefully it isnt 12 inches tall, or your angelfish wont fit in that tank for very long.
Anyway, assuming it is 20 tall, and 47 long, which is a nice long high tank, and is actually 49 US gallons.
A good size tank.
How about a Snakeskin Gourami? They are absolutely beautiful, and would make an excellent centerpiece fish. Peaceful and would get along fine with the angels as well.
Another option would be a pair or trio of pearl gouramis. These gouramis actually hang out together, which is kind of nice.
Considering your tank is so long, you could probably put 10-12 corys in there, or perhaps some type of loach in a school and a school of corys. Say 6-8 Corys, and then 4 loaches of type like Dwarf Chain, YoYo, Polka Dot. Or you could have 2 schools of different types of Corys, say 6 of each.
Also, beware that your Angelfish might just eat your neons when the Angels get large enough. Neons are the natural prey of Angels in the wild. Its hard to break them of this instinct.
Also, are the Angels a breeding pair, or just friends?


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