Kuhli lateral line spots?

[snapper]

hi guys-

i have had in my possession a few kuhli loaches for about 2 mo now (really hard times w/ shipping these guys lately?) and one of my females (i believe) began showing signs of distress about 1 month ago. they were all quite skinny and she plumpd up quick and was always "swimming upstream." then she became lethargic, developed obvious white spots along the length of her lateral line (i fear infection), and most recently, some of her bands have been bisected (like she grew too fast or skin problem). i have dabbled w/ melafix and mostly have tried to correct any possible nutrition deficiencies by supplying a varied diet (flakes, shrimp pellets, algae wafers, vitamins, micropellets, and the following frozen: blood worms, cyclopsese, tubifex, and spirulina-loaded brine shrimp). she eats and swims around (doesn't seem "tired" anymore) to the extent that i think things are under control, but other than HLLE type info, i'm not sure about the appearance of her lateral line. sorry, long story short, i'll try to post a pict

tank:
29 gal biocube, planted
kh 9-10
pH 7
temp ~ 78 F
all nitrogens of insignificant levels
4 kuhlis - i wish i had more...
5 ottos
amano & cherry shrimp
bushy-nose pleco
6 signifer rainbows

best pict i got showing issue - check out dots along lateral line??

[snapper]

So, if anyone just wanted an update... Siva (my female Kuhli w/ the lat line infx) disappeared for about 3weeks sometime not too long after my post. Since I got no replies about the particular condition and was unable to identify it myself, I didn't want to treat w/ anything too strong and possibly immunosuppress her further. She disappeared and the tank is pretty heavily planted, so I was beginning to accept the idea that she was gone for good... BUT THEN SHE REAPPEARED

I would love to think that supporting the immune system of any sick fish was all that needed to be done to induce a good prognosis, but I know that many times we need more fighting power by the time behavioral/physical changes appear - so many fish, being potential prey, are just so good at hiding illness until they are so overwhelmed.

So I think we got lucky that she prolly wasn't dealing with an extremely virulent pathogen and that hopefully all the hard work maybe helped, and I'm considering it a personal success story for myself and Siva - she has her flexibility back, all signs of infx have diminished (she had some lingering spots on lat line that I was going to chalk up to scarring from healing, but all have disappeared by now), the bisecting of the stripes I now believe were indeed due to growth, and she is again shoaling w/ the other loaches at top speed

If anyone has any questions (nutritional, vitamin, OTC immune boosting support etc...) or comments, please feel free to email me or reply. I'll send a happy healthy pick of one of the most beautiful kuhlis out there once I hopefully get the new digicam for Xmas!
-n-

[shari2]

Hi, Nicole.

That's wonderful news.
I don't think I saw your original post back in Oct. but I'm glad things worked out so well. Is she still 'plump' or has she slimmed down?

[snapper]

Thanks Shari -

She was a little thin after coming back out and didn't eat very well for a few days, but now she's back to rooting around with the others as soon as the goodies are dropped in, and she has definitely redeveloped her plump little figure

She originally had never stopped eating until she disappeared one day, and that is why I was trying all the different foods b/c I figured making sure her long little body had all the tools it needed to have a fighting chance was one of the best things I could do for her.

It was a great day when I saw her hesitantly sticking her head out of the plants after being gone for so long!