Help Please: Corys Scratching Skin Off

The 4 albino corys in my community tank are scratching the skin off their
bellies, to the point where their undersides are quite red. Close
examination shows they are suffering considerable skin loss. I noticed one
was much pinker on the underside a while ago, and it has gradually
progressed over about a week to the point where they are all diving at the
gravel quite hard to scratch themselves, and in the process losing skin.
Poor little buggers.

So what is it, what do I need to fix it and how am I ever going to catch
them in a 75 gallon planted tank? Ideally I'm looking for a medication that
I can just add to the whole tank, but will do whatever it takes. Thanks for
any help.

It could very well be as simple as bad water quality which is causing the
flashing. Have you tested for ammonia, nitrite, nitrate and PH? If not then
this should be the very first thing you do. Ammonia should be at 0, nitrite
0 and nitrate under 20. I'd start daily 30% water changes until you get the
water tested as this will dilute any toxins in the water and make things
easier on the fish.
Mel.


"blank" wrote in message
u...
The 4 albino corys in my community tank are scratching the skin off their
bellies, to the point where their undersides are quite red. Close
examination shows they are suffering considerable skin loss. I noticed
one
was much pinker on the underside a while ago, and it has gradually
progressed over about a week to the point where they are all diving at the
gravel quite hard to scratch themselves, and in the process losing skin.
Poor little buggers.

So what is it, what do I need to fix it and how am I ever going to catch
them in a 75 gallon planted tank? Ideally I'm looking for a medication
that
I can just add to the whole tank, but will do whatever it takes. Thanks
for
any help.

"blank" wrote in message
u...
The 4 albino corys in my community tank are scratching the skin off their
bellies, to the point where their undersides are quite red. Close
examination shows they are suffering considerable skin loss. I noticed
one
was much pinker on the underside a while ago, and it has gradually
progressed over about a week to the point where they are all diving at the
gravel quite hard to scratch themselves, and in the process losing skin.
Poor little buggers.

So what is it, what do I need to fix it and how am I ever going to catch
them in a 75 gallon planted tank? Ideally I'm looking for a medication
that
I can just add to the whole tank, but will do whatever it takes. Thanks
for
any help.



what kind of substrate do you have in this tank?. Corydoras being bottom
feeders can scratch their bellies on sharp gravel leading to fungus
conditions. If the other fish show no symptoms you may want to try and net
out the Cory's to a hospital tank and try an anti fungal medication or
perhaps a natural additive such as Melafix. You could also use Melafix in
your 75 gallon tank ( I have a 77g and have used it a number of times to
treat damaged fins etc).

Rick

"Rick" wrote in message
news:%0HIb.885660$6C4.755690@pd7tw1no...


what kind of substrate do you have in this tank?. Corydoras being bottom
feeders can scratch their bellies on sharp gravel leading to fungus
conditions. If the other fish show no symptoms you may want to try and net
out the Cory's to a hospital tank and try an anti fungal medication or
perhaps a natural additive such as Melafix. You could also use Melafix in
your 75 gallon tank ( I have a 77g and have used it a number of times to
treat damaged fins etc).

the substrate is aquarium gravel--its been there for a long while now
without bother ing the corys so i guess melafix is the go

"blank" wrote in message
u...

"Rick" wrote in message
news:%0HIb.885660$6C4.755690@pd7tw1no...


what kind of substrate do you have in this tank?. Corydoras being bottom
feeders can scratch their bellies on sharp gravel leading to fungus
conditions. If the other fish show no symptoms you may want to try and
net
out the Cory's to a hospital tank and try an anti fungal medication or
perhaps a natural additive such as Melafix. You could also use Melafix
in
your 75 gallon tank ( I have a 77g and have used it a number of times to
treat damaged fins etc).

the substrate is aquarium gravel--its been there for a long while now
without bother ing the corys so i guess melafix is the go


I would give it a try. I know how difficult it can be to catch fish in a
planted tank that size, almost impossible at times. Melafix will not harm
your filter bacteria or the plants.

Rick