Clown Loach is sick and others dying...

[Dennis-Pir]

I lost a clown loach just the other day, and today I lost two bala sharks. My other clown loach does not look like he is doing well anymore either. I think the reason the others died might have been the heat, as it looks like my tank was too warm. However, the clown loach that is left, as well as some of the tiger barbs in the tank have funny white sort of spots all over them, and they look like they are losing their colour. Does anyone know what this is and what I can do to save them?

Thanks...

 

[Big Vine]

the clown loach that is left, as well as some of the tiger barbs in the tank have funny white sort of spots all over them, and they look like they are losing their colour

EDIT: Are the spots like salt granules, or are they fuzzy?

If they're like salt or sugar granules, then everything I wrote below applies to your situation (But, if the spots are fuzzy, then it's fungus, and you'll need to go a different treatment route):


This sounds a lot like ich to me. Did the clown loach and bala sharks that you lost also have these symptoms when they died?

Any chance of posting any pics of this?

Based on what you wrote, I'm thinking it's ich, so I'd go ahead and up your tank temperature to 86 degrees F. I successfully got rid of ich by doing this AND adding about 3 heaping tablespoons of Doc Wellfish's Aquarium Salt (designed for freshwater use) into my 12 gallon tank. That means you should probably use about 6 heaping tablespoons for your 25 gallon tank.
(Note that many sources recommend higher salt concentrations...The figures I'm telling you are based on my own personal experience with having successfully treated ich in one of my tanks). You can always add more later if you think it is necessary.

If you're not familiar with it, the salt comes in a milk-carton type thingy that's pink and white...just look for that at the pet store.

Please explain what you mean by this:

I think the reason the others died might have been the heat, as it looks like my tank was too warm.

How high was the temperature at the time?
I'm still thinking it's the ich that's causing your fish losses, so I'd go ahead and treat the tank accordingly. The 86 degrees F and the salt treatment won't hurt anything (even if it is NOT ich), so don't worry about that---you need to get this treated A.S.A.P. (actually, live plants are the only thing that might be affected adversely, but I wouldn't worry about it if you wanna save your fish).

Hope this helps. Good luck.
Big Vine

 

[Dennis-Pir]

The temperature was around 81 F...... I beleive it is Ich as well, I've read on different forums on different sites, that raising the temperature might be detremental to the fish. I only say this, because now that I have seen that it is Ich, I think its in its late stages becasue over the clown loach it is pretty excessive. I've started by treating with some "anti-Ich" stuff from the lfs. And I am hoping this helps, I may raise the temperature later, as well as I will be purchasing some aquarium salt as well to add to the tank. I plan on doing daily water changes at about 10-25%. Hoping this cures the Ich problem

Thanks

Sorry no pics right now because my camera is at the girlfriends house

 

[Big Vine]

The temperature was around 81 F...I've read on different forums on different sites, that raising the temperature might be detremental to the fish.

True to an extent, however 81 degrees F is well within the tolerable range of most tropical species.

I've started by treating with some "anti-Ich" stuff from the lfs. And I am hoping this helps, I may raise the temperature later, as well as I will be purchasing some aquarium salt as well to add to the tank.

Then I'd just stick with the medication and follow it through as per the instructions that came with it. If there is still ich present, or it re-appears (after going through with a full dosage for the recommended number of days according to the instructions that came with the meds), then I'd not bother using the meds again, and then try the heat & salt method.

I strongly recommend that you NOT do the heat & salt method while treating with medication.

I plan on doing daily water changes at about 10-25%.

Is that what the directions for the meds said to do? Just stick with whatever the meds say to do.

Please let us know how it seems to be working out.
Big Vine

 

[Dennis-Pir]

I have left the filter running.. I read that this could have bad effects. Any idea if this is true? ANything I should watch for? i've read online that the nitrate concentration can change...

 

[Big Vine]

Whenever you're using meds, I'd say it's best to just follow all the directions on the package that they came in.

As far as the filter goes, leave it on!
You may need to remove any carbon inserts that you might have in there (as the activated carbon will filter out the meds---rendering them useless)...
Just see what the instructions say and follow the directions.

Best of luck to you and your ailing fish.
Big Vine

 

[Dennis-Pir]

Thxs....

My Filter is an Aquaclear.... no carbon.. I think But I'll double check to be sure...

 

[wayne]

81 is not especially warm at all.

Are the spots distinct sand grains or are they white blotches? If the former then you're on the right track. If the latter I would be more suspicious of a nasty bacterial infection/enviromental problems. Assuming ammonia and nitrite test up ok (zero, nothing above) then I would be tempted to treat with a bactericide.

Beware, on the rare occasion I have dealt with something similar I broke the tank down to get rid of it. Beware that treating with a strong bacteriicide WILL impact your filter - even if the bacteria aren't killed, their vigour will be very reduced for a few days, so stop feeding now.
The thing that makes me suspicious of bacteria as well as blotching , if present, is that bacterial infections are much faster killing than ich, which is usually quite innocuous for a few days

 

[Dennis-Pir]

I'm almost positive its Ich... they are definitely like sand grains. I lost the other clown loach this morning, but my girlfriend noticed the an ich spot a while back, we just didn't really think anything of it, because the fish all continued to act fine.

So, should I continue to treat the water with the gourami and three tiger barbs just in case they have it, even though I can't see it on them?

 

[Big Vine]

Yes, keep it up, and follow through with the full course of treatment, as directed on the packaging that came with your meds. The ich will still be present in your tank, so keeping up with the treatment is critical in order to get rid of it.

Big Vine