Clown Loach Trouble

[gtigaz]

ive got 4 clown loach and where 3 are happy and bouncing about around the tank the biggest hasn't been out for food for the second night now and is just lied on its side in an ornament, to look at it it looks very healthy but im worried something is wrong, can anyone give me any advice as to what might be wrong so i can help it please

thanks in advance

gaz

 

[ncguppy830]

how big is your tank? loaches need schools of 6 plus BTW/

 

[gtigaz]

its a 250litre tank, they have been excellent happy full of energy clicking etc but this particular clown hasn't been himself since last night

 

[ncguppy830]

well they cant be in anything less than 100 gallons so thats too small for them, what are the tanks water parameters.

 

[gtigaz]

the water is spot on that was the first thing i did a water test the other loaches are fine tho and the tank isn't small and upto last night this 1was doing great there must be something that's stopping it from coming out and making it lie on its side?

 

[ncguppy830]

hmm IMHO and most others the loaches will become stunted in that tank, regardless it might have been bullied by the other loaches possiby injuring it or stressing it, why there must be 6 plus fish.

 

[gtigaz]

it has been fighting dominance for 2weeks now with 1 of the others every night without fail, maybe this could be it

 

[ncguppy830]

yea eastablishing pecking order is common among fish,some of the weaker ones can get injured.

 

[gtigaz]

so could it be that this clown has lost the fight and is in hiding for abit or is it going to die?

 

[ncguppy830]

well im saying he might have gotten injured and now might die...

 

[gtigaz]

i got it out by turning the plugs off at the wall as the ornament that he is in has an air stone built into it to see if i could get a response, when he came out i checked over it and can't see any injury at all and he was swimming around ok aswell

 

[ncguppy830]

hmm well just keep an eye on it and update us if anything happens.

 

[gtigaz]

ok will do thanks i have got a separation tank goes in the main tank should i catch it and put it in there or would it be better to leave it were it is

 

[ncguppy830]

you might want to remove him JIC.

 

[gtigaz]

the isolation tank is about 6"x4" will this be ok? the fish fro head to tail is about 4" i could put some food in also?

thanks