Dojo Loach: Skin Infection?

[DRIFTER]

As the title says, I've run into a problem with my Dojo Loach.


Just behind his Top*dorsal* fin, and I can't believe I'm saying this, appears to me that there's a chunk of his olive skin missing....it is also very white where there's no skin. I can't begin to imagine what it is or how to treat it, so I was hoping someone on here could help.

Water parameters are all normal save for the water being hard, and the PH a little low(6.5). I do clean the filter and tank on a regular basis.

I've owned loaches before, but I've NEVER seen anything like this. In fact, NONE of my loaches have ever been sick. Also, if this is an infection/disease, is it contagious to other fish?


Much Thanks,
Jesse

[shari2]

Hi Jesse,

Would it be possible to post a picture? It would be really hard to say from just a description.

Is there any redness? Do you see any white patches anywhere else? Is there anything in the tank that the fish could have gotten stuck in or scraped on? Are there any other fish in the tank? Do any of them seem to have a similar problem (or any problems)?

[DRIFTER]

I'll try to get a picture, hopefully the camera takes a decent photo.


No redness at all, just a missing patch. There ARE some limestone rocks that he could have gotten into.

He shares the tank with another dojo loach, a few guppies, a molly, and a couple of algae eaters. All the other fish are in EXCELLENT condition. No problems whatsoever.

[shari2]

dojos do tend to take off on wild spurts sometimes. if there is sharp decor around, it could be he simply scraped off some surface skin and the white patch is slime coat, protecting the area.

Keep an eye on it, keep your water very clean, and you may want to consider running a Melafix treatment in the tank for 5 days or so.

Any signs of redness, or further ulcerations, and I would remove the dojo to a quarantine tank for antibiotic treatment.

hth
shari

[sophie]

white probably means a layer of dead tissue which isn't in itself a problem (scabbing doesn't happen underwater) but you need to keep an eye on it in case infection sets in; dojos are prone to it and it's really hard to sort out once it starts, especially in the fins.

like shari says, scrupulous water changes are a really good way to go.

g'luck.

[DRIFTER]

Hey all, thanks for the quick responses.


Trying to get that camera working, it has rechargeable batteries, and I think they're shot. Pieces of crap.


Anyways, I did a water change, and kept a close eye on him. It looks like his skin is "re-forming"??? Now the chunk is almost filled back in, and it is still all white but looks much better. Maybe I over-reacted too soon and bothered you guys for help. Just love my loaches, and don't want anything bad happening. Thanks all for the info, it is much appreciated. I'll let y'all know how his apparent recovery goes.

[helen nightingale]

dont worry about over-reacting and asking for help. its always best to ask sooner rather than later, and as people here live all over the world, time differences sometimes mean it can take a few hours before someone knowledgeable on that subject will see the post