Red blotch disease in Corydoras

[SaburaiAquatics]

I would like to start a discussion on red blotch disease in Corydoras.

I am curious if anyone has experienced this with new fish, and, if so, what methods have you tried? Were you successful or not with said methods?

I have done a few things to attempt to combat this issue with little success. It has only occurred in freshly imported fish in my experience.

1 - lower the water level to 2-3 inches
2 - add salt at a concentration of 1 tablespoon per 3 gallons
3 - treat with Seachem Metroplex/Kanaplex
4 - frequent water changes
5 - melafix (I read in Ian Fuller's book that this has worked for some people)

I have tried all of the methods above in various combinations, but it doesn't seem like there is any really solid answer to the problem. Please share your experiences!

 

[Rocksor]

Did you feed the metroplex or simply put into the water? Metronidazole is most effective when consumed.

 

[SaburaiAquatics]

Did you feed the metroplex or simply put into the water? Metronidazole is most effective when consumed.

I put it in the water as well as the kanaplex. I have metro flakes I can try, but I usually don't feed flake the first day so they can get settled in.

 

[Rocksor]

I put it in the water as well as the kanaplex. I have metro flakes I can try, but I usually don't feed flake the first day so they can get settled in.

Yeah, metroplex is not as potent in the water vs being fed directly.

What is the PH of the tank water? Some antibiotics are more effective than others at a certain PH. Maracyn 2 (minocycline) is more effective at a PH range of 6.4-7.6 than Kanaplex (kanamycin sulfate) PH 7.6-8.5.

 

[SaburaiAquatics]

Yeah, metroplex is not as potent in the water vs being fed directly.

What is the PH of the tank water? Some antibiotics are more effective than others at a certain PH. Maracyn 2 (minocycline) is more effective at a PH range of 6.4-7.6 than Kanaplex (kanamycin sulfate) PH 7.6-8.5.

pH is 7.4-7.6

 

[Rocksor]

pH is 7.4-7.6

If the bacteria causing the disease is gram negative, I would use Maracyn-2 instead of Kanaplex for your tank's PH.

 

[SaburaiAquatics]

If the bacteria causing the disease is gram negative, I would use Maracyn-2 instead of Kanaplex for your tank's PH.

I will try that out and update you all on the results!

 

[fishdance]

I used to import ornamental fish many years ago (owned multiple aquarium stores) including most corydoras species.

Talk to your importer as corydoras gulp surface air when stressed. It's a nervous reaction, not a lack of dissolved oxygen. So using pure oxygen for packing (like most fish) will burn their intestinal tract, this damage takes a while to show through. Best remedy is leave shipping bags air space as 80% full of air and then top up with oxygen.

- Corydoras do have skin under their armour scales. This makes it harder to detect white spot, fungal or bacteria infection early. Observe fish behaviour, not physical symptoms. (Become a better fish keeper).

- Corydoras also self poison so get them to use lots of water and low stocking density when shipping. Discard shipping water when transferring fish to your quarantine tanks.

You may get better responses/discussion at Aquarium Central or other smaller fish size forums.