Clown loach looking sickly

S

stargurl

Small Fish
#1
Oct 22, 2002
11
0
0
#1
I bought three clowns in August, they've been living in a 20gal alone until a couple days ago when I added a pair of german blue rams. [Side note: yes, I know the clowns will outgrow this space. I plan to put them in my 45gal once they get a little bit bigger]. They were treated for ich not long after purchase, but have been in good health since. I've observed some black spots on fins, but I was told this was normal.

For the past couple of days, one clown has been hiding most of the time sandwiched between leaves on a plant. I coaxed him out today and examined him - it appears he hasn't been eating (his belly looks hollow and I haven't seen him coming out to eat much) and the edges of his fins are a little bit white. He just looks sickly, too, especially when compared next to the other two loaches.

My hospital tank was broken a week or two ago when my father tripped and went flying, but I've kept the filter from it going on the 20gal so I can go out and buy a new one and get it set up for this poor loach. I really don't know what to treat him for (or with), and I know these symptoms could be indicative of a few things, which is why I'm asking for help.

Thanks.
 

Vyache

Vyache

Large Fish
#3
Oct 22, 2002
378
0
0
47
Redding, Northern California
www.vulturesroost.com
#3
My clown loaches have been gettingt sick recently as well. I tried prevent ich but it caused the nitrate levels to go way up. I tried clout and it may have helped but was kind of expensive. Fianlly I put aquarium salt into the tank and they seem to be doing a lot better because of that. I put in 1 teaspoon per 5 gallons in at first and then added that much again a day or two later. The aquarium salt box recomended 1 Tablespoon per five gallons but I've been wary of adding too many chemicals at one time ever since I used Aquarisol and killed a bunch of clown loaches. Good luck.
-Vyache
 

M

mrfootball70

Medium Fish
#4
Oct 22, 2002
83
0
0
#4
a bit of salt is an excellent suggestion..but the poor lil guy could be headed for trouble...try feeding some different kinds of foods (different dry or frozen, mine luv frozen blood worms!)...if you find something he likes maybe he'll eat enuff to fight off what's ailing him...meds and water treatments, I would avoid...but water changes woud help too..GOOD LUCK!
 

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