Scratching Kubotia

[nashnut]

I have three Botia Kubotia that are frantically scratching themselves against everything and anything. They are currently in a 10 gallon quarantine tank with a couple other fish. They are the only fish showing any distress.

1. Water parameters. (ammonia, nitrate, nitrite, PH, temp', Hardness etc) 0, 0.50, 20, 7.5, 76, n/a
2. A full description of the fishes symptoms. frantic scratching on sand, gravel, objects,
3. How often you do water changes and how much. weekly... did 20% yesterday, 20% today
4. Any chemicals and treatments you add to the water. coppersafe but removed
5. What tank mates are in the tank. bettas
6. Tank size. 10 gallon quarantine
7. Finally Have you recently added any new fish? no

I might add that someone else observed the same actions in a lot of fish (same ones) in another pet store which is related to the chain these were purchased from.

 

[vic]

Not sure it is destress. My clowns do this periodically and have done so for the 2 months that I have been responsible for their welfare. Loaches are funny folks. My clowns will lay on their side to have a nap!!!!!!!!!!

 

[The-Wolf]

1. Water parameters. (ammonia, nitrate, nitrite, PH, temp', Hardness etc) 0, 0.50, 20, 7.5, 76, n/a

it looks to me like you are stating that your nitrIte is 20,
if that is the case the loaches are reacting to it.

I would do a 10-15% water change every day untill it has stabalised.
do you have any other tanks running? if so can you add a filter or at least
seed your current filter form one of them?
if not you may want to get something like Sera nitravec or toxivec to help.