unclenedsfishfactory.com

Ned,

I got 4 panda corys from you two and a half weeks ago, and I've had them in quarantine since. Today I found 1 dead and 2 on their way out. I don't see any signs of sickness (spots and whatnot), just fish laying listlessly on the bottom or swimming upside down and struggling.

The tank is fully cycled, but it is a little hot. Could this be causing the problem? It's been around 80-82 lately.

Any other ideas? Have the ones in the store been OK?

Thanks,
-Josh

In my experience, pandas tend to do best around 78 degrees. Also: what is the height on your tank? Cories need to hit the top to grab oxygen from the air, and if the tank is too tall, they can't breathe it.

It's a standard 10, I don't think that's the problem, but thanks for the input.
-Josh

The tank is fully cycled, but it is a little hot.
WHAT ARE THE AMMONIA, NITRITE, AND pH NUMBERS?

Could this be causing the problem? It's been around 80-82 lately.
ARE YOU SURE IT'S REALLY ONLY 82...IS THERMOM ACURATE?

Any other ideas? Have the ones in the store been OK?
OURS HAVE BEEN FINE THE WHOLE TIME.

Sorry for the delay, I lent my test kit to a friend.

Ph = 7
Ammonia and Nitrite = 0

The thermometer is correct (I double checked)

I have one that's still alive, but seems to have some fin rot and/or septicemia that's starting. I dosed with Melafix. There are also 2 SAEs I got the same day in the tank, that seem healthy, but I have seen one rubbing on the gravel very occasionally.

There were two temperature excusions the week before they died. The temp temporarily dropped ~4 degrees to ~76, and then a few days later it went up about 4 degrees temporarily to ~84. I have a lot of trouble controlling the temperature in the room they are in in the wintertime. But the fish died pretty suddenly, and not for maybe 3 or 4 days after the temperature came back down.

Any other thoughts? It's too late to do anything for most of the guys, but it's just really frustrating to have no idea what's going wrong.

-Josh

temp going down to 74 and up to 84 would not kill them

but where as the SAE is scratching
I would do a large water change and gravel vac and treat with 2 teaspoons of salt per gallon of water
...shouldn't due any harm at least