Pygmy corydoras deaths - update and thoughts

[Calamardo Tentaculos]

Those who will have seen my previous posts will recall that I was losing my pygmy corydoras despite my best efforts.

After a break, I decided to try again in a 54L, heavily planted scape. I thought with the increased volume, aquasoil, and increased filtration that there would be a difference. Despite the changes, the symptoms (flashing and lethargy) reoccurred and I eventually lost one. After further research, I suspected that the cause was probably flukes or parasite, and treated them with NT Labs Anti-Fluke & Wormer (Flubendazole). Within a day, I saw a marked improvement in the behaviour of the corydoras. All of them are now active and happily going about snuffling in the substrate for food.

Just some food for thought for those who are losing their corydoras to the same symptoms.

 

[Bradders]

Great news! I have also had some success with Flubendazole, treated in water and a food mixture.

 

[dino21]

Interesting, as we have tried raising two different batches of pygmy corys in the last few years and all faded away save one which has grown to full size and is in good health.

Would have liked to introduce some more but not really possible as looking at the NT site it does say Flubendazole will kill Shrimps and Snails, so it would mean loosing all our Cherries.

 

[Calamardo Tentaculos]

Interesting, as we have tried raising two different batches of pygmy corys in the last few years and all faded away save one which has grown to full size and is in good health.

Would have liked to introduce some more but not really possible as looking at the NT site it does say Flubendazole will kill Shrimps and Snails, so it would mean loosing all our Cherries.

Yes, that is the only problem with flubendazole. I now have the problem of figuring out how to remove it from the tank safely that I can introduce shrimp at a later date. The good news is that this post from @rockpaper (Information on Fenbendazole) indicates that it has a half life which is shortened by light intensity. So presumably a single dose would likely be safely removed by multiple water changes, time and activated carbon.

So this could be something you could try.

 

[dino21]

Would have to do it when next starting a new tank as the existing one has over 100 cherries, originally got 6 and they clearly liked the tank , similar size to yours 50 ltr.

It does raise the question were the Corys infected when you introduced them or were the parasites already in your tank from existing fish or plants imports ?
Though either way it does seem using that medication is needed to ensure they get a good start.

 

[AlecF]

It's not an answer, but I have a variety of corys. Losses have always come early. When I got 6 pygmys I lost 4, so the losses with them were by far the highest. I guess it was weakness, as there's no issue with my tank. (Also one did jump, which no other Cory species I've had has done).

 

[dino21]

Did not want to risk introducting any more Cories (Corydoras habrosus) to our tank, though found some Ottos filled the gap, so to speak,.
A nice addition to the tank, quiet active and move around the tank. Seem to get on well the our one remaning Cory which looked so lonely on its own.

One thing we will do if we get any Cories in the future is to follow @Wookii advice on a previous thread , to turn off the Co2 before introducing them.

 

[tam]

I had an issue with pygmys and was recommended fluke solve: Pygmy Cory - Not thriving (pale)

This stopped my deaths, although I lost two that were looking very bad at the point I treated.

I think it is shrimp/snail safe - no shrimps in the tank but didn't notice any issues with the 'pest snails'. Might be an alternative.

When I get around to adding more I think I will dose them as a precaution.

 

[Calamardo Tentaculos]

Would have to do it when next starting a new tank as the existing one has over 100 cherries, originally got 6 and they clearly liked the tank , similar size to yours 50 ltr.

It does raise the question were the Corys infected when you introduced them or were the parasites already in your tank from existing fish or plants imports ?
Though either way it does seem using that medication is needed to ensure they get a good start.

I honestly have no idea. However, given that I lost four batches (from three different suppliers) and lost one from the recent batch (another supplier), I am inclined to believe that the parasites are already present in my tank.

Absolutely agree that medication is necessary with cories. Better safe than sorry.

 

[Calamardo Tentaculos]

I had an issue with pygmys and was recommended fluke solve: Pygmy Cory - Not thriving (pale)

This stopped my deaths, although I lost two that were looking very bad at the point I treated.

I think it is shrimp/snail safe - no shrimps in the tank but didn't notice any issues with the 'pest snails'. Might be an alternative.

When I get around to adding more I think I will dose them as a precaution.

Yes, thanks to your post, I gained the confidence to take the step of treating the pygmy cories with Flubendazole. I wished I had the courage to do it earlier, but there was so much contradictory information online with respect to flashing and deaths for this species.