Cory's dropping like flies

[aaronburro]

In the past week I have lost 3 of my eight cory's from my 10 gal planted tank. I have NO clue what is going on. A cursory examination of the dead fish today yielded nothing out of the ordinary, though before one of my albino's died, I did notice one of the albinos had a much paler color than usual. I usually watch my fish for a good 10-15 minutes a day, and I have noticed nothing unusual. All water parameters are in check and the tank is staying at a constant temperature, or so I think. I try to keep it at 80F, but today the water seemed unnaturally warm, but the thermometer only read 82F. Could that maybe be the prollem w/ my boys dying?

I've been feeding them 2 wafers of Hikari's Tropical catfish, loach and bottom feeder food, as well as some cucumbers now and then. I've got 2 ottos and a betta in the tank.

any help would be nice. BTW, the cory's are palateus and albinos, from a very reputable fish store, and I have had them for about a month

 

[CatsFishes]

Maybe get another thermometer? In a recent post Purple was saying that his strip thermometer, the kind that you stick to the outside of the tank, was very inaccurate because it was measuring the outside temp more than the temp in the tank. Could this maybe be it?

Other than that I'm not sure. Could you give exact readings of the water params, maybe that would help. Can you tell if they're eating? Don't mean to be gross, but is their poop normal or white and stringy? If yes could be internal parasites.

I'm no expert, sorry I can't be much more help. Maybe more info would help people with more experience.

Oh, and I hate to be a nitpicker, but I think your 30 gal is kinda overstocked. I have read on here that goldfish need 20 gal for the first fish and 10 gal for every one after that. So there's some advice that you didn't even want.

 

[doctawife]

I'm with CatsFishes on the 30 gallon. Goldfish are dirty, poopy fish. They need a lot of room to handle all the gunk.

I also think that if you would post the values of your water tests we might be able to give better suggestions on the ten gallon. How are the other fish in the tank doing?

 

[aaronburro]

yeah, I'd love to get em a new home, but I can't afford it. if anyonw wants to give me a 60gal + filter + heater + stand, I'll take it! i keep it nice and clean, though. the only thing I ever worry about is them inhibiting their growth w/ their daggone hormones.

the ammo and nitrites were zero, and the nitrate was around 25ppm, before the water change... pH is always 7, so I don't worry bout that