What's wrong with this cory? treatment?

[oneeyedfrog]

Hi, DD2 got a couple of these corys a while back. Today I noticed one looking strange. I have popped him in the QT tank. What's the matter with him and how do I treat it?

He seems to be covered in a brownish slime/fluff

Thanks

[Jennifer]

Any other details about the fish's behaviour? Any recent changes in the tank? Are other tank mates normal?

Without knowing more, I can only guess. Some possibilities include fungal infections (like Saprolegnia), or parasites like Costia or Chilodonella. Malachite green and formalin would be a possible treatment that could help either problem. You could also bathe the affected area in a concentrated solution of malachite green (100mg/ litre) and then use salt. Salt offers the safest route if the gills are affected. A salt bath treatment (20-25g/litre for 20 - 30 minutes) can be used and/or it can be used as a long-term immersion at 1-5g/litre.

[oneeyedfrog]

Thanks Jennifer, The fish has been behaving normally and all other fish in the tank are unaffected.

This cory and another were the most recent additions to their tank ( a couple of weeks ago) after several weeks of QT.

It doesn't seem to be affecting its gills.

I have here in my fishy medic kit

- salt,

-wunder tonic (which contains 1.5% methylene, blue, 0.1% malachite green ,0.05 % acriflavine, and 0.04% quinine),

-methylene blue 1%

-pimafix

-melafix

-furan 2

-pp

Would you use any of these or should I stick with the salt and get some malachite green tomorrow?

Are cory's more sensitive to meds than other fish?

Thanks

[BURN]

looks like its had its day. SEA SALT FROM PAK N SAVE $1.50 a big bag. Check out OK OK on commercial trade section page 4 of discussion.

[phoenix44]

I can only second what jen has said. It looks quite... odd. My recommended treatment would be (acriflavine) or malachite green and formalin.

[Jennifer]

Again, this is just a guess, but with the brownish tinge I would treat it as a fungal infection. A strong solution of Malachite green, as I mentioned above gently applied with a moist cotton swab to the affected areas (avoid the head). Then place the fish in a salt bath or salted tank as above. The cory should be ok but work the concentration up gradually over time to be sure. I would definately salt the main tank as well to be sure that it doesn't infect the others as well. Keep salting for at least 3 weeks. Fungal infections can be persistent. You can also add Malachite green to the tank water.

Bacteria can accompany fungal infections so it would be beneficial to consider adding formalin to your treatment regime as well.

[BURN]

FORMALDEHYDE (FORMALIN) is used in preserving creatures and prevents & kills FUNGUS ?

[phoenix44]

in conjunction with mal. green it works

[Jennifer]

FORMALDEHYDE (FORMALIN) is used in preserving creatures and prevents & kills FUNGUS ?

Yes, formalin (usually a 37% formaldehyde solution) is used against fungi and external parasites in fish. It is also a fairly good topical antiseptic so it can help prevent bacterial colonisation where there are fungal lesions present.

It is carcinogenic so humans should avoid contact with it at all costs (wear gloves and avoid fumes). It will also remove dissolved oxygen in the tank water so increased aeration as well as lower temperatures may be necessary to keep oxygen levels up during treatment.