I do apologise if this is a relatively common problem and I aggravate anyone by asking about it, but I have a problem with one of my dwarf loaches (there doesn't appear to be a species listing for it in the species subforum). Basically, the fish in question is juvenile, and at first I put its skinniness down to its age - my other one is deeper bodied and appears to be adult - but recently it has become somewhat lethargic; ordinary behaviour includes rooting amongst the gravel at the bottom of the tank for food, jerky swimming in midwater and in general, activity. However, the sick fish appears less apt to doing any of these, and often just sits on the bottom, not moving. It also seems to be less able to maintain an "upright" position, i.e., with its back perfectly perpendicular to the ground - it leans to one side or the other, and rights itself every so often.
I'm not sure what the problem is - I considered worms, but it tends not to eat very much at all which would suggest otherwise, to me at least; I considered a swim bladder dysfunction, but when the fish does swim, it does so without issue. In general, it just appears to be unresponsive. The species tends to hold the dorsal fin erect at all times, at least from my observation, but this fish doesn't. I recently had a bout of whitespot in most of the fish, but have since cleared that problem up - however, at the time, the bigger loach had it and was exhibiting many of the same problems, such as leaning, not swimming much, and not holding its dorsal fin erect.
Has anyone any idea? I'd rather not lose the fish, as much for sentimental reasons and the understanding that they are communal fish and need company of individuals of their own species as for financial. Any help would be much appreciated.
I'm not sure what the problem is - I considered worms, but it tends not to eat very much at all which would suggest otherwise, to me at least; I considered a swim bladder dysfunction, but when the fish does swim, it does so without issue. In general, it just appears to be unresponsive. The species tends to hold the dorsal fin erect at all times, at least from my observation, but this fish doesn't. I recently had a bout of whitespot in most of the fish, but have since cleared that problem up - however, at the time, the bigger loach had it and was exhibiting many of the same problems, such as leaning, not swimming much, and not holding its dorsal fin erect.
Has anyone any idea? I'd rather not lose the fish, as much for sentimental reasons and the understanding that they are communal fish and need company of individuals of their own species as for financial. Any help would be much appreciated.
