Poor little Corys have split fins - anyone have insights?
Posted: 13 Jan 2005, 01:24
I have a very pleasant 20 Gal High tank with 3 Corydoras paleatus (Peppered Catfish), 2 Corydoras aeneus (albinos), 5 Otocinclus, and 1 Pseudopimelodus (maybe bufonius a species of South American Bumblebee Catfish). There is also one female Betta up top. A few live plants are in the tank, some Vallisneria and Microsorium, as well as a bit of Vesicularis (Java Moss) and some additional plastic plants to round out the tank.
The paleatus had recently been moved (3-4 weeks ago) from a larger tank...I wanted to keep them a bit cooler than the large tank, which was at 77 degrees. Then I moved the Corydoras aeneus over about 2 weeks ago, as I noticed the smallest one wasn't growing and in fact had developed a bit of a ragged dorsal fin (the loaches I had in the larger tank always managed to get all of the food, so I thought the Corys might fare better in a quieter environment). The Otocinclus cats are recent additions - 3-4 days ago, and the Pseudopimelodus was brought home yesterday afternoon.
In any case, I now see some fin splitting that wasn't apparent before on 2 of the peppered cats, as well as the Betta. The small albino cat's dorsal is worse than before, too. I'm paranoid that the new additions may have brought some pest into the tank, or maybe the Pseudopimelodus is a bit much for the peaceful Corys - this troll-like catfish hides under a hollow log that I made and "jumps out" at the other cats if they come too close. He's too small to prey on any of the other inhabitants, and I think he's just being territorial. It may be possible that some of the Corys split their fins while startling away from the troll.
To all outward appearances, all of the fish are healthy except for the fin splitting (one Oto is missing an eye, but otherwise appears perfectly healthy), with good color and sheen, plenty of normal activity and feeding behavior...none of the fish currently have any red blotchiness associated with fin rot or bacterial infection...barbels look fine. All of the Corys have grown since being placed in the small tank.
Am I just paranoid? Conditions seem to be fine, but here are my tank parameters:
Temperature: approx 75 farenheit - nice and steady.
pH: 7.0
GH: approx 2.0 (35.8 ppm)
KH: approx 2.0 (35.8 ppm)
Ammonia levels: 0
Nitrate: approx 5 ppm
Nitrite (out of test kit, but fine last time I checked)
Water change: 20-25% once per week - like clockwork. I've not missed a water change.
Substrate: small pea sized and smaller natural round gravel - seems smooth enough.
Filtration: Whisper 20 over-the-side, stock setup with
"bio mesh" and activated carbon.
Tank has been set up since November 18 of 2004, about 7 weeks - it was "seeded" with water from the large aquarium when it was set up. All is well in the large tank, fish and plants are thriving...no signs of trouble.
I know that this is a long winded post, but what the heck...enjoying these fascinating catfish is what it's all about!
Any other forum members have any insights for me? Water too soft maybe? Temperature ok? Pseudopimelodus too grumpy to keep with Corys? Horrible bacterial infestation about to ruin me?
Many thanks,
Chris Windram
Sorry I can't provide any photos of my fish yet - hopefully soon.
The paleatus had recently been moved (3-4 weeks ago) from a larger tank...I wanted to keep them a bit cooler than the large tank, which was at 77 degrees. Then I moved the Corydoras aeneus over about 2 weeks ago, as I noticed the smallest one wasn't growing and in fact had developed a bit of a ragged dorsal fin (the loaches I had in the larger tank always managed to get all of the food, so I thought the Corys might fare better in a quieter environment). The Otocinclus cats are recent additions - 3-4 days ago, and the Pseudopimelodus was brought home yesterday afternoon.
In any case, I now see some fin splitting that wasn't apparent before on 2 of the peppered cats, as well as the Betta. The small albino cat's dorsal is worse than before, too. I'm paranoid that the new additions may have brought some pest into the tank, or maybe the Pseudopimelodus is a bit much for the peaceful Corys - this troll-like catfish hides under a hollow log that I made and "jumps out" at the other cats if they come too close. He's too small to prey on any of the other inhabitants, and I think he's just being territorial. It may be possible that some of the Corys split their fins while startling away from the troll.
To all outward appearances, all of the fish are healthy except for the fin splitting (one Oto is missing an eye, but otherwise appears perfectly healthy), with good color and sheen, plenty of normal activity and feeding behavior...none of the fish currently have any red blotchiness associated with fin rot or bacterial infection...barbels look fine. All of the Corys have grown since being placed in the small tank.
Am I just paranoid? Conditions seem to be fine, but here are my tank parameters:
Temperature: approx 75 farenheit - nice and steady.
pH: 7.0
GH: approx 2.0 (35.8 ppm)
KH: approx 2.0 (35.8 ppm)
Ammonia levels: 0
Nitrate: approx 5 ppm
Nitrite (out of test kit, but fine last time I checked)
Water change: 20-25% once per week - like clockwork. I've not missed a water change.
Substrate: small pea sized and smaller natural round gravel - seems smooth enough.
Filtration: Whisper 20 over-the-side, stock setup with
"bio mesh" and activated carbon.
Tank has been set up since November 18 of 2004, about 7 weeks - it was "seeded" with water from the large aquarium when it was set up. All is well in the large tank, fish and plants are thriving...no signs of trouble.
I know that this is a long winded post, but what the heck...enjoying these fascinating catfish is what it's all about!
Any other forum members have any insights for me? Water too soft maybe? Temperature ok? Pseudopimelodus too grumpy to keep with Corys? Horrible bacterial infestation about to ruin me?
Many thanks,
Chris Windram
Sorry I can't provide any photos of my fish yet - hopefully soon.