Clown Loach Question

[carolg]

Hi.
i am new to this forum and have a question about my clown loach.

he is about 2-3 years old and have had no problems with him before.

i have a tree decoration in his tank and he hides inside it and i never see him from one day to another, every so often i have to check to see if he is ok.

Anyway the past couple of days he has been coming out of the tree, he looks very thin and his colour has faded, his nose looks as though it has been nibbled at, and his fins and square instead of pointed, and he is vertical against the glass.

I have a sucking loach in with him, they have been together for a few years.

has anybody got any ideas what is wrong with him


thanks

 

[stang1]

What size is the tank and what are your water stats?
Clown Loaches need to be kept in groups of 3+ as they are a sociable fish and can be very shy if kept on their own.

 

[carolg]

What size is the tank and what are your water stats?
Clown Loaches need to be kept in groups of 3+ as they are a sociable fish and can be very shy if kept on their own.

I have a 3 foot tank, with the loach and a sucking loach in

 

[stang1]

Any idea on what your water readings for ammonia, nitrite, nitrate and PH are?

 

[carolg]

Any idea on what your water readings for ammonia, nitrite, nitrate and PH are?

Hi

no i dont know what they are,

can you tell me what they should be.

 

[stang1]

Your best bet would be to take a sample of water to your lfs to get it tested. It is also worth investing in a liquid test kit so that you can keep an eye on them yourself.
Water readings should be as follows:
Ammonia - 0
Nitrite - 0
Nitrate - this varies but most people have a reading of between 20-50.
PH - again, it varies depending on what fish are kept but a PH of 7 is about the norm.
Is the tank filtered and how often do you perform water changes?
Also, what type of sucking loach have you got?

Sorry for all the questions but this should help determine the problem.

 

[carolg]

Any idea on what your water readings for ammonia, nitrite, nitrate and PH are?

Hi

no i dont know what they are,

can you tell me what they should be.

have just done a ph test and it is 6.2

and the ammonia level is ok.

 

[stang1]

How about the nitrite?

 

[carolg]

How about the nitrite?

hiI have a fluval 3 filter inside the tanki change the water every monthi do not do nitrite or nitrate testwhat is LFS

How about the nitrite?

hiI have a fluval 3 filter inside the tanki change the water every monthi do not do nitrite or nitrate testwhat is LFS

the loach is a sucking loach (Gyrinocheilus aymonieri)sort of grey with black spots on it

 

[stang1]

Sorry, lfs is local fish store.
Water changes should be done weekly of about 25% ideally as this will keep your water clean and reduce nitrite and ammonia.
The sucking loach is also known aa a Chinese Algae Eater. Sadly, as they get bigger they can become very aggressive and are not great community fish.

Chinese Algae Eater
He may well be attacking your Loach which would would probably explain the "nibbled" appearance. You are best rehoming the Algae Eater as soon as you can to prevent any further aggression.

 

[carolg]

Sorry, lfs is local fish store.
Water changes should be done weekly of about 25% ideally as this will keep your water clean and reduce nitrite and ammonia.
The sucking loach is also known aa a Chinese Algae Eater. Sadly, as they get bigger they can become very aggressive and are not great community fish.

Chinese Algae Eater
He may well be attacking your Loach which would would probably explain the "nibbled" appearance. You are best rehoming the Algae Eater as soon as you can to prevent any further aggression.

Hi

I have only an emersons pet store locally and i doubt if they would do a water test.

I would rehome the loach but I dont have a spare tank, i have this tank and i have a tank with gold fish in

 

[stang1]

Would the pet store take him? If not, you could advertise him on here as someone will probably want him.
You already have the PH and ammonia test kit so you only need to buy the nitrite and nitrate one. I know they can be alittle expensive but are worth it just so you can check your water.

 

[carolg]

Would the pet store take him? If not, you could advertise him on here as someone will probably want him.
You already have the PH and ammonia test kit so you only need to buy the nitrite and nitrate one. I know they can be alittle expensive but are worth it just so you can check your water.

how often do i do a nitrite and nitrate test

 

[stang1]

Most people tend to test their water about once a week, some before a water change and others a couple of hours after doing a water change.

 

[carolg]

Would the pet store take him? If not, you could advertise him on here as someone will probably want him.
You already have the PH and ammonia test kit so you only need to buy the nitrite and nitrate one. I know they can be alittle expensive but are worth it just so you can check your water.

how often do i do a nitrite and nitrate test

could i put him in the goldfish tank until i find a home for him.