Sick Clown Loach

[MoMa]

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Tank size: 48 gallons
pH: 7.2
ammonia: 0.0
nitrite: 0.05
nitrate: unknown
kH: 40
gH: 25
tank temp: 82F

Fish Symptoms (include full description including lesion, color, location, fish behavior):
The clown loach is currently laying on its side breathing heavily, mouth open. He does not move away when poked. There is a red dot on the anus and a short red line on its "chin".
His clown loach friend was removed from the tank due to ick to a hospital tank three weeks ago. He was recently put back into the community tank after being sure that the ick was not present.

Volume and Frequency of water changes: 25 % weekly. The last water change was Sunday.

Chemical Additives or Media in your tank: none

Tank inhabitants: 5 neons, 2 otos, two clown loaches (already mentioned)

Recent additions to your tank (living or decoration): two tablets of algae wafer to see if the otos would eat it.

Exposure to chemicals: none

Digital photo (include if possible):
n/a


I have had the pair for about three months and have not noticed this particular loach grow where as his friend has grown a significant amount ( 1/4 to 1/2 inch).
While the other loach was in the hospital tank, this loach was in the community tank not as active, hid most of the time, and did not eat much.

 

[MoMa]

additional information that may or may not be useful...

--the clown loach that recently returned from the hospital tank was treated with malachite green. (loach was ich-less for 3 days)
--the community tank has been running w/ fish for a little over 3 months, after a 5 week fishless cycle; all levels were appropriate before stocking the tank.
--other additions to the tank that didn't ''make it''... 1 oto. cat (2 weeks ago - unknown cause), 2 angels (1 month ago - internal parasites, both died in hospital tank)
--live plants of unknown types (lfs calls 'em live plants), moneywort, moss
--'hang off the back filter' made for 75g tank
--bubbler

 

[WILDER]

Right that tanks is way to small for clown loaches.
Your stats are bad i would do an immediate water change.
He's in a bad way and sorry to say it sounds like he's not going to make it.
Laying to one side, heavy breathing, red streaks or marks though these could all be due to the bad water quality but also it can mean septicemia.
Can you describe the spot on the anus as with dropsy they can get a red inflamed bum.
Any red pin pricks on the clown loach.
Also would like to know how long the tank been set up, and full stock list of fish in the tank.

 

[WILDER]

Does the clown laoch look thin like it wasting away as there prone to internal parasites.

 

[MoMa]

The loach did not make it. Died about 1 hr. after the onset of symptoms.

I'll try to answer the questions, as I know others read old postings to gain knowledge.

The tank has been set up for a little over 3 mos. after a 5 week fishless cycle
Tank inhabitants (before death of clown loach)...
-2 clown loaches (2 1/2")
-2 oto. cats (1")
-5 neon tetras (1")
(located in my first post)

the spot on the anus was a red dot, about the size of the tip of a sharpened pencil.
the only other red marking was a line (almost straight) on it's "chin" (underside of head).
the fish was not thin.


I'm curious about which 'stats' were bad...
obviously 0.05 nitrite is less than optimal. It has been 0.05 everyday for 2 weeks now, even through 3 25% water changes. On a whim I tested my tap water today, and it read 0.05 as well. I think the test chemicals may be dated (or something) and will be purchasing a new kit. I have also been unable to locate a Nitrate test kit, will keep looking.

As for water hardness and alkalinity, I honestly don't know much about these stats and have only started testing them recently.
--as an aside, I know that seems weird to test even though I don't know my ''Target'' levels, but I keep an archive of all the tests, so the numbers were for future reference.--

Any help on this would be appreciated.

(ModTeam, feel free to move this post to Chit Chat as it is no longer an emergency. thanks.)

Thanks again,
MoMa

 

[WILDER]

Was you doing gravel vacs, and how often was you maintaining the tank.
Over feeding.
That nitrite reading should be 0 i would invest in another filter as that one dosn't sound like it doing its job.
Also that nitrate reading would be good it tells you alot.

 

[MoMa]

--'hang off the back filter' made for 75g tank

 

[WILDER]

Are you doing gravel vac as that nitrite reading should be 0. and you need to look into it.

 

[MoMa]

Was you doing gravel vacs, and how often was you maintaining the tank.
Over feeding.
That nitrite reading should be 0 i would invest in another filter as that one dosn't sound like it doing its job.
Also that nitrate reading would be good it tells you alot.

gravel vacuum is used during all water changes, which are usually weekly, last week 3 times.



also, as posted earlier, my test kit is saying my tap water is 0.05 nitrite, and will purchase another.

 

[WILDER]

I would take a sample of your water to the lfs to get that nitrate reading, or buy a test kit liquids ones are the best.
As one of your sponges might need a slight rinse in old tank water if he nitrate reading is high.
Right just seen your last reply ask in tropical chit chat about your nitrite reading from the tap.