Cory Cats Dropping like flies - fin rot?

[ddavis1979]

I have had 4 cory cat deaths in the past 48 hours. One was a large green cory cat that was in rough shape at the pet shop. Two were Julii Cory Cats that were very small and looked to have some redish gills from the pet store.

However, the last one was a peppered Cory and it lost its whole tail. I didnt think I got it from the store in that bad of shape, but I also dont think anything in my tank was capable of that level of destruction.

One more peppered Cory Cat is alive, but has some signs of damage. Is this fin rot? Would fin rot be able to consume a whole tail in a few days? What do you think this is? You can also see top half of tail is eroded.



Any clues would help?

I did dose the whole tank with Melafix. I used a little less than the recommended dosing and my whole house smells of peppermint and tea leaves. Seems a bt extreme.

[Cliff]

I dose look like some type of bacteria. I would suggest removing the infected fish to a hospital tank and treat with antibiotics

If you don't have a hospital tank, your going to have to dose your main tank

[Lady Hobbs]

Is that green stuff Cyano Algae? You need to get rid of that stuff. That is not an algae but a bacteria. I bet that's what's killing your corys. Not saying your corys are eating it but enough bacteria to grow Cyano is enough bacteria to cause problems with the corys.

Probably needs some Maracyn 2. Which will also wreck your cycle. You sure have had your share of problems with this tank.

[MuckyFish]

Looks like ornament paint to me Lady Hobbs. But look forward to OP reply on that.

[ddavis1979]

Yeah, its just paint on the ornament, but I appeciate the observation and concern.

Yeah that tank has some issues, but a lot of it is due to me not being patient and following good guidlines.

I like to get fish for cheap from the local big box pet store, and if the fish are not looking 100%, I take them anyway with the knowledge that my tank is better for them than any fish store tank, and that I can return them if they die. So I take on some problems that can cause issues :)

[Tiari]

If you are not quarantining your "pet store rescues", you are likely introducing all kinds of illnesses to your tank. Chances are, you are dealing with some multiple bacterial issues. I would try dosing tank with Maracyn 2, which is likely the best bet, and then refrain from any more purchases, especially from stores you know are introducing illness to your tank.

You can STILL gain fish from these stores, but know what you want, and ask the manager to "hold back" fish bagged for you directly from their shipment, that have not been dumped into their tanks. You have far less risk that way.