Clown Loach Injury

[Lawrence1584]

Hey, I bought 3 clown loaches. They have settled in fine but I have just noticed one has an injury. It looks as if his cheek bone is sticking out. Looks like a white tusk on the side of his face. Never see anything like this before. I do have bog wood and gravel base. Just wondered if anyone knew what I could do. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Many thanks

 

[snake007]

He could of injured himself on the gravel if its rough, what tank size have you got them in?

 

[MBOU]

Almost normal, clown loaches do have nasty spines on their cheeks! Probably means that he has been having some argy bargy in the new tank to sort out who is the boss!

There is a chance he got it caught on the net too, which means it would be sore for him and held out at a funny angle. Keep an eye to make sure it doesnt go red or white or fluffy sore looking! Thats when a secondary infection might be a problem...

 

[snake007]

..

 

[Steve Randell]

A few of mine had the tusks visable all the time even when they wernt sticking out fighting for teritory etc, its perfectly normal,
id only be worried if they look anorexic and a lot of there bones are visable

Steve

 

[TwoTankAmin16]

Check out the pic here- great shot of the Suboccular spine raised http/www.loaches.com/species-index/photos/c/chromobotia_macracanthus_02.jpg/view

 

[Steve Randell]

just a word of warning if you try to get the loach out of the tank at any point, my largest clown was 10" long and over 3.5" tall he got caught in the net, i tried to get him out with my hand he flicked and i needed 3 stitches in my finger
there nice fish when you get a large group, i had 30 all above 5" and they swam constantly day and night and hand fed


steve