Clown loaches fin rot + other stuff? help plz

[Chazza404]

After a lot of frustration and swearing at my computer for the browser crashing while writing this post im writing a simplified version.

History

Monday

Discovered clown loach with fin rot on tail fin (top half 1-2 mm missing), and a bump on the black stripe immediately behind eyes - did 35% water change and small dosage of tonic salt.

Tuesday

Could not find loach - lifted rockwork and driftwood up still could not see, counted 1 loach short assumed it had jumped out or died, could not do any more so left it for the night.

Wednesday

Discovered the loach lying lethargic next to pvc pipe, grabbed net and moved into 40L planted tank with a BN. Does not swim much if at all, has issues moving body in both directions is not maintaining balance and sinking to bottom - lying on substrate heavily breathing.

Another clown loach is having issues; dorsal fin pulled towards body, issues swimming (was having trouble hovering in one spot, point vertically to maintain position, no fully moving its tail side to side more rapid flicking movements) no bump on head though - has fin rot on tail and white spot. I will move this loach into the 40L once the quarantine tank is warmed for the lethargic one, will perform water change + tonic salt + stress coat between fish relocations.

Tank info

there are 10 clown loaches currently housed in a 200L african tank which has been running 2.5 months (housed with peacocks, e yellows, upside down cats, pictus, BN, brichardi. pH mid 8 region, no ammonia or nitrite recorded when tested 30 mins ago), have had no previous issues since setting the tank up.

Fish Symptoms

First loach discovered - one with the bump

Appearance

bump on head behind eyes on top of first black band

fin rot (2mm lost tail fin) and now on other fins (wednesday)

scratching on skin from rubbing against rocks etc

no white spot noted

Behaviour

Started out with dificulty swimming in one spot, was ok at speeds directing itself. now is lethargic and has difficulty swimming if at all, heavy breathing, appears to have scratched against rocks due to skin scratches.

Second loach discovered - white spot + other symptoms

Appearance

NO bump or scratching so far.

fin rot on tail fin, white spot

Behaviour

dificulty swimming in one spot however still active and swimming around, was ok at speeds directing itself,heavy breathing.

Neither fish has lost any black stripe colouring which can occur if fish is stressed. If anyone could shed some light on what action/treatment should be used it would be most appreciated.

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=4 ... =650872095

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=4 ... =650872095

update: have moved lethargic loach with bump into quarantine tank.

[Ianab]

I'm not a loach expert, but from what I know they prefer soft and slightly acid water. Ph around 6.5. They just may not be suited to living with Africans at pH 8+ ?

Cheers

Ian

[Chazza404]

Update; the loach with the bump on the head died in Q tank, the other sick loach is on the mend and fin rot has stopped and fin looks healthier now so everything in that tank is fine.

A siamese fighter had started to have its tail nibbled by e yellow fry and then developed dropsy, moved to its own tank and did water changes etc dropsy dissappeared, white spot came and went and he also seemed to developed gill flukes (white areas/spots on gills), dropsy has now come back, have performed another water change/gravel vac/cleaning filters etc and have got some drontal.

fyi i asked for droncit as this is the pure prazi medication however i was told this is no longer manufactured so took drontal instead which has other crap in it but better something than nothing IMO for this fish.