Bristlenose Dead And Clown Loach Poorly, Please Help

[Jazee B]

I was devastated yesterday when I woke up and found my dotty (female bristlenose) dead. She had been active as normal but had been higher in the tank then normal (round the filter) on thursday but on friday she was back round the bottom of the tank and eating cucumber so I didn't think anything else of it.

I checked all the stats and all normal so just thought it was a one off and I had been unlucky. That was until this morning when I got up early to watch the grand prix!! I noticed that 1 of my clown loaches was up near the filter and pretty lifeless. When i approached the tank it did swim behind the bogwood and I've not seen it since.

I have checked all my fish this morning for whitespots and rapid gill movement but they all seem fine even the other plec and clown loach. The other fish are still bright and active but i'm worried incase they all get infected with whatever has killed my plec and making my loach poorly.

Tested water again this morning everything normal:

pH - 7.6
High Level pH - 7.4
Ammonia - 0
Nitrite - 0
Nitrate - 20

I did a 30% water change last sunday and used stresscoat+ as usual and will be doing a water change today. I have been feeding them with the same food, temp is steady and water is clear. The only thing I have done differently which I don't think would of affected it was use a new plant food (tetra plant, Plantamin) which I purchased when I bought some new plants last week.

The poorly loach is still brightly coloured just very lethargic. Would appreciate any help and advice as I can't bear to lose another fish I'm still mourning dotty Thanks everyone

 

[WILDER]

Was the plant alive plant or plastic.
Any excess mucas on the gills or body of the fish.
What do the gills look like.
Any sign of flicking and rubbing.
Is the loach unable to get off the bottom of the tank and falling back down. onto substrate. Any red sores or streaking on the body of the fish.

 

[Jazee B]

Was the plant alive plant or plastic. - real plants
Any excess mucas on the gills or body of the fish. - no
What do the gills look like. - normal no redness or swelling
Any sign of flicking and rubbing. - none
Is the loach unable to get off the bottom of the tank and falling back down. onto substrate. - it is still swimming a little its not falling back down but tends to be on the gravel or up in the corner near the filter
Any red sores or streaking on the body of the fish. - i have just noticed what looks like a scratch down one side of its body but no blotches or redness

Thank you for replying, any ideas? i barely saw it yesterday, it has been out a little more this morning but not as much as usual, they would normally be chasing each other round the tank by now!

 

[WILDER]

Is the scratch on the fish white. it it possible to load a pic up.
Do the clown loaches look thin.

With losing a few fish and no signs of excess mucas or flicking and rubbing I think I would add a bacterial med to the tank.

Did the fish start to get ill after adding the plant.
Best to steralsie plants before you add them to the tank.
Plants can fetch parasites and bacteria into the tank.

 

[Jazee B]

Is the scratch on the fish white. it it possible to load a pic up.
Do the clown loaches look thin.

With losing a few fish and no signs of excess mucas or flicking and rubbing I think I would add a bacterial med to the tank.

Did the fish start to get ill after adding the plant.
Best to steralsie plants before you add them to the tank.
Plants can fetch parasites and bacteria into the tank.

I'll try and catch it and take a pic, the little thing must know i'm talking about it cos its gone into hiding again! Its not particulary white but its starts from about 1/3 of the way down its body to just before its tail and its like a straight line. Its the same weight as usual and same bright colouring. Any recommendation for the bacterial med?

 

[WILDER]

Any sharp objects in the tank that he could of scraped himself on.
Dosn't look like white dots that go in a line.
Any redness to the white line.
Anti internal bacteria med by interpet.

It seems to be all bottom dwellers you have lost. How often do you do a gravel vac.

 

[Jazee B]

Any sharp objects in the tank that he could of scraped himself on.
Dosn't look like white dots that go in a line.
Any redness to the white line.
Anti internal bacteria med by interpet.

It seems to be all bottom dwellers you have lost. How often do you do a gravel vac.

I vac the gravel every week. I introduced the new plants into the tank last sunday. I have 2 pieces of bogwood in my tank that have like canals in the back which they used to play in when they were smaller, perhaps he was trying to relive his youth but didn't realise he was too big. I've just tried to have a closer look at him but his shot round the back of one of the logs. I wouldn't describe them as dots in a line and i can't recall any redness.

Thanks so much for helping, it looks like your helping out a of few of us today!

 

[WILDER]

Ok.
I think I would add the bacterial med then if he's not himself.
Dosn't sound like a parasite involved just yet.

 

[Jazee B]

Ok.
I think I would add the bacterial med then if he's not himself.
Dosn't sound like a parasite involved just yet.

I've popped to the lfs and picked up some interpet as suggested. I've done a water change and added the required dose. Fingers crossed he'll pull through. He's been swimming and feeding a little. thanks again for all of your help.

 

[WILDER]

Keep us updated on his progress.
Good Luck.

 

[Jazee B]

Another very sad day. My fella saw him on the bottom of the tank gasping for breathe, gills going ten to the dozen so he sent him on his way to fishy heaven. He's been keeping an eye on the rest of my tank mates today whilst I've been at work, no other fish are showing symptoms but I'll still re-dose in 3 days. Is there anything else I should be doing?

 

[Marclau]

Sounds what happened to me 10 days ago......before long loach was going red blotches and acting strange...........then I found Bristlenose dead.........
Then my tank got hit and I have lost everything..............

I dont mean to scare you here but your systems were the same as fine at the very start........i mean the very first couple of days...........so you need to get on top of this quickly............good luck.........

 

[WILDER]

Bless Him R.I.P.
The problem with adding meds when there breathing heavy it that it can finish them off.
You tryed your best and that's all you can do.