June 7, 201016 yr comment_376184 Hi Guys, i've got a bunch of 8 pygmy corydoras, one of them has started lying on the gravel motionles on his side, breathing fairly rapidly. he trys to swim but always ends up on his left side. colour is normal, and all other fish in the tank are behaving normally. gave him up for dead four days ago but he keeps hanging on. hes staying on the bottom, not rising for air as the other corys do sometimes. any advice would be appreciated. Report
June 7, 201016 yr comment_376210 not rising for air as the other corys do sometimes. Do you have much surface agitation? and whats the temp of the tank? I think rising to the surface to gulp can be a sign that there's not enough oxygen saturation going on, at least I get concerned when I see my Cories do that. Report
June 7, 201016 yr comment_376212 Your cory may have had a stroke. Can you put him in a container within your tank so he doesn't have to make such an effort to move around and come up for oxygen if need be. If he's gasping he is struggling and probably needs to be nearer the surface. Mine come up for air at times especially when they are playing in the evenings. Report
June 7, 201016 yr Author comment_376250 cool, will put him in a floating container and see if that helps. Most corydoras come up for air as they are used to being in water with low oxygen levels similar to the way gourami's will occasionally take a breath of air, and it is essentail for them to be able to. tank temp is 26 and air stone breaks the water surface, i beleive the stroke theory is the best so far. thank you. Report
June 11, 201016 yr Author comment_376845 well its been 10 days now and he's still displaying the same problems, tried medicating, isolating, he only moves when i chase him with my finger. any other suggestions would be very welcome, a few more days and i may have to euthanise him. thanks, Barny Report
June 11, 201016 yr comment_376856 I think euthanasia might be the best option if he isn't getting any better by now. There are literally dozens of possible causes for those signs so it is hard to really pin down a treatment. Clove oil is a good euthanasia agent. It is available at the pharmacy and you only need a few drops in a cup of water. Report
June 11, 201016 yr Author comment_376881 thanks all, but he passed last night. we will have a morning of mourning before going to lfs to look for a new male. cheers, Barny Report
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