Red around gills...

[Katalyst]

So I scored 6 C.Sterbai today but have noticed that 2 of them had redness around the gills. These little guys aren't looking to healthy at the moment and I was wondering if I should salt or melafix their tank. And if so how much? I understand they are stressed but I've never seen pet store fish refuse good food. These little guys have barely moved, meanwhile I picked up some albino's and they haven't stopped eating and are in a different tank. :)

6 sterbai

10 gallon hospitial tank, they will be moved into a 90 gallon after I know they have a clean bill of health. Yes that's right I've lost my mind and now and am rearranging fish so I can have a 90 gallon tank to house 23 cories. :laugh:

Nitrates .5 if that
Nitrites 0
Ammonia 0
Ph 7.5 ish
Hardish water
Temp 74 degree's (room temp at the moment)

[Melody]

Hmm... I'd be worried about gill flukes. :wideeyed: Any flicking?

It may just be stress and they are pretty much nocturnal, or they prefer the night anyway. Make sure there's lots of low hiding places, caves or moss, etc, and keep the lights out. Some say Cory's don't tolerate salt well, but I've never had a problem and it will help the gills function. You could try a quarter dose. A personal call.

[Katalyst]

Ugh not flukes...I'll keep my eye on em for a day or two. No flicking so far...Poor lil things, thank god they are in QT. I have em in the dark for now...I'll have to make some caves for em tommorrow. I have a bunch of fake plants and driftwood in there at the moment.

[Melody]

They're in good hands :smile: . I currently have Sterbais in a salted tank, if that makes you feel any better in the event that you want to try it.

[Katalyst]

They're in good hands :smile: . I currently have Sterbais in a salted tank, if that makes you feel any better in the event that you want to try it.

Yep I'm trying to figure out how much for salt to sick in a 10 gallon, in between you know who calling me to wait on him. The pelvis is in fact broken...He suggested I get him a little bell..I suggested that I could break something else to take his mind off the pelvic pain. :SomebodyShootMe: I was going to suggest a smiley ripping its hair out but I like this one soooooooooo much better!

[Melody]

LOL Men are not good at being laid up, that's for sure. I'm sorry to hear that the injury was so severe. How long until he's out of your hair? Er... that is to say... how long until he's healed?

I'd start low on the salt. I've never seen any benefit to using a full dose by comparison to less anyway.

[Katalyst]

LOL Men are not good at being laid up, that's for sure. I'm sorry to hear that the injury was so severe. How long until he's out of your hair? Er... that is to say... how long until he's healed?

I'd start low on the salt. I've never seen any benefit to using a full dose by comparison to less anyway.

6 weeks meanwhile the army still wants him to go away to teach a training course for 8 days in Ottawa. Their solution 'use crutches'.

Its a good thing I'm not in the Army, I'd so be in jail right now. Poor guy...

[Katalyst]

I'm going to wait until tommorrow I think and see how they do being in 'good' water. I only live a few mins from the lfs so the water couldn't have been too dirtied, I tested it and it was atrocious so maybe good ole water quality will help.

[Melody]

In that case, ammonia & nitrite can cause red gills. Salt helps to reverse the effects of nitrite poisoning. Always best to go with your gut though!

[madattiver]

this is most likely caused by "self poisoning" and sterbai, gossei, metae and trilineatus are known most for this. this is caused by a defence mechanism in the corys when they are stressed as they will secrete toxins into the water, which is alright in the wild as there is a constant flow of water.. but when in a bag it tends to kill them at times. signs will be bubbles on the top of the water in the bag as if there was soap added to it as well as lethargic corys, sometimes laying on their sides or floating and red gills.

It can be stopped by getting them out of the bag and into fresh water as soon as possible and when buying and transporting these type of corys to keep the travel time to a minimun. Also, frequent water changes will also help, but is not a sure thing.

hope this helps, and keep us updated on the sterbai

[Katalyst]

Thanks for the info. thats a hand piece of information to know. They seem a little more active today...Hard to tell because they hide as soon as they see me. I'm going to make some caves for them tonight so hopefully that'll help...

[Melody]

If they're still moving around, that's a good sign!

[Katalyst]

If they're still moving around, that's a good sign!

Not only are they moving there seems to be a lot of rubbing/swirling going on in there. :wideeyed:

[Melody]

:laugh: Talk about feeling better....

[Katalyst]

:laugh: Talk about feeling better....
You're not kidding, two of them are still a little red around the gills but swimming around like little maniacs. Still scares me half to death when they zing up to the surface for a gulp of air, I swear each time they are going to land on my lap.