Jump to content

Clown loaches in poor shape


michael.qian

Recommended Posts

Noticed on Tuesday nights that 2 of my clown loaches are really skinny, one is really really skinny.

Have 3 in my tank, the other one is doing well.

I used to feed bloodworms once every 2-3 days, on the other days I feed normal flake which they never really get any.

So I thought they had maybe internal parasites, so went into Hollywood yesterday, niether them or Jansens had treatment for internal parasites, but Hollywood suggested I wasn't feeding them enough, which might be true.

So I bought bottle of Seachem garlic and some dried Hakari sinking pellets, they told me to soak some pellets in garlic and feed it to them, but did that yesterday and today and all the fish don't seem to like it, most would eat it and spit it out.

I've also fed bloodworms yesterday and today, the normal clown loach is eating like normal, but the other two skinny ones weren't too interested and only ate a few, they would suck some in and spit it out.

So I'm really concerned if they are indeed sick?

Water quality is good, ammonia & nitrite 0, nitrate under 20ppm.

So what could be wrong with them?

Recently it seems they had a change in leadership, now the healthy one seems like the leader and it would sometimes chase the one who used to be the boss.

Appreciate any advice

thanks alot

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Water seems good, are there plenty of hiding places? Anything could that be picking on them?

Forget the packet food if you want to bulk them up, my four smaller ones have been on a diet of chopped shrimp, discus tucker [has garlic to help with parasites], beefheart etc for a few months now and they're really bulking up.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I would be inclined to dose the tank anyway but thats just be, some people say don't does it unless your 100% sure its internal parasites but id say unless your sure you haven't been feeding them enough.. In my opinion it cant hurt they may have brought something in from the wholesalers.

As for where to get it from prazi's easy someone posted on here in disease section with a trade name for it thats available over the counter from farm shops.

And metro im sure someone on here can spare some or go and talk to your friendly vet..

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Try seperating the skinny loaches in to another setup, aquarium or even a big bucket they can live in for a few weeks with heater and small filter or airstone, then try to feed them up. * (if using air stone or new filter, remember regular water changes).

Because of the hierachy, the smallest fish eat last, so weak loaches can end up dead because they don't have the energy to fight for their place in the food line. I've had to seperate a skinny loach before, poor guy was so hungry he'd click at me for food.

If any other fish show signs of similar symptoms, then certainly go down the medicine track.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Because of the hierachy, the smallest fish eat last, so weak loaches can end up dead because they don't have the energy to fight for their place in the food line. I've had to seperate a skinny loach before, poor guy was so hungry he'd click at me for food.

I've never found that problem with any of the large groups of loaches I've kept. I'd say if thats happening you need to chuck more food in!!! :lol:

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I've never found that problem with any of the large groups of loaches I've kept. I'd say if thats happening you need to chuck more food in!!! :lol:

Yeah it's normally only a problem when you buy new loaches, and one of them is already underweight. I lost my loaches a few months ago due to nitrite, have to get some more!!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

yup I'll definitely feel bad if any of them die.

I now feed some flakes in the morning and bloodworms everyday in the late afternoon along with a few Hakari pellets, they eat it if it's not soaked in garlic.

The small one nibbled at some flakes this morning, I'll see how it goes with feeding this afternoon.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Fed bloodworms and a few Hakari pellets.

still the normal CL ate as it normally would, the skinniest one only sucked in a few, the other one skinny not sure didn't catch it sucking in any.

None of them seem to be too interested in the pellets.

Maybe something is causing them not wanting to eat? I'm sure the two skinny ones could eat lots more if they wanted to.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Thanks for the link, I've read that before but read it more carefully this time.

Right now I'm feeding once a day, is that too little? Reason is I don't want to overfeed the other smaller fish I have in there, bloodworms for tetras and swordtails everyday is probably too much already.

If I see no improvement I will try asking vets if they have the medicine.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

Loading...
×
×
  • Create New...