Yoyo Loach Faded Colours X 2 Out Of 3 In Tank

[Danbarb]

2 yoyo loaches have been fighting a little bit (not all the time just now and then). One yoyo loach seems perfectly fine, his colours are normal and seems quite happy.

The two that were fighting, one of them has quite faded colours the other is a little faded. Is this due to stress?

I did a water change today - my water parameters are OK. (180 litre juwel vision).

Nitrites 0
Nitrates 10-20ppm.
PH 6.8-7.

My current stock is 13 tiger barbs, 4 dwarf neon rainbowfish, 3 bristlenose catfish (was much more than this but reduced due to advise from here), and 2 apistogramma agazzsi, and the 3 yoyo loaches.

I am worried, as I care about the welfare of my fish, and don't want any undue stress to cause them illness or suffering. Also, it is quite odd as it seems to have happened in the last couple of days with the loaches, and I've had them for around 6 months with no problems.

Unfortunately I do not have a hospital or seperate tank setup as of yet, so can't isolate the loach and don't want to as I personally think as they are social fish this would stress him out more.

Would it be an idea to add another 2 yoyo loaches to the tank to disperse any aggression amongst more fish incase he is getting bullied? I believe I have two males and one female as far as I am aware. Also, what about water flow? Strong flow? Small flow?

My loaches are 100% my favourite fish, and I'm almost intently watching the tank! I have a couple of dwarf cichlids. Apistogramma Agazzi? (sp) one male one female. Would it be an idea to give these to the LFS, as the male can be a little territorial at times and I think it might give the other loaches some more space.

Also regarding "caves" for them, what sort of caves are good? Can you perhaps link me some images or something so I can add a couple of these to my tank.

 

[Danbarb]

Okay. I solved this. I have two thermometers one digital and one of those mercury cheap ones.

My temperature was rising - causing the fish distress. I discovered it hitting 26.7 degrees C. It's turned off, and I'm going to have to regulate the temp myself (using central heating haha - welcome to 26 degrees C heating temp!!) not having an aquarium heater overnight. Annoying to say the least. The heater in question is a cheapo Juwel thing.

I figure the thermostat has gone and it's stuck fully on or something, or the thermostat only detects a certain temp at like 26.8 and then switches off.

Am going to go and source a Jager Precision 125watt for my 180 litre tank first thing in the morning!

Anyway, solved, I believe.

 

[Danbarb]

I fiddled with the Juwel heater. What the hell??? I turned it down to a 10 degrees setting on the heater, and it's keeping the water at 25.4 constant, which is fine. The room temp is around 18 at present.... Lost for words. Glad it's working overnight but throwing this in the bin in the morning.