2 bengal loaches and 2 problems!

[bazancik]

Hi,

I got a couple of Bengal loaches about 3 weeks ago and all was well till recently. One of them seems to on the verge of existence- keeps hiding in most ridiculous places and positions(usually upside down or hanging almost like a cloth on a branch). From time to time it will start moving around and looking for food but only until the other one chases it away. And that is the second problem. The second bengal became very fat (pregnant?) and aggressive - it keeps chasing all the other guys away, it looks angry (honestly - fierce head and fin movement etc). I thought about putting the angry guy into a cage for a bit - so the weak one can get some rest. But to be honest I have no clue what the problem may be - and how to tackle it!

Anyone having similar experiences by any chance?

Thanks,

f

[newshound]

more info needed
tanksize
filtration
are you really sure they are "Bengal loaches"
hiding places
etc...
read up on loaches

[bazancik]

right - it's 90 litres tank: 2 loaches, 3 apple snails, 2 sunset gouramis, 2 sailfin mollies and a few algae eating shrimps. The tank has got built-in filter on the top [AquaONE 620 - tray with carbon cartridges on the top] and plenty of hiding places [mopani wood, some pots etc]. There are also plenty of plants...

These are the 2 loaches: Botia dario

I tested the water and everything is OK - and all the other fish is fine. The only trouble makers are the bully and the really weak one...

there are no visible problems (e.g. dis-colour). The only strange thing is the big belly of the bully (maybe just fat as keeps scooping any food) and the weak one looking almost dead at times (hanging over a plant or on the filter and not moving at all).


f
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i changed your link so the pic would show. that way there's no need to scroll the screen back and forth to read the posts beneath it.

shari2

[Asmodeus]

Well, as for the one who appears to be "hanging like a cloth on a branch", a lot of loaches are known for having extremely "awkward" sleeping/resting positions. Several of mine do that as well. What are you feeding them? Perhaps if you offered them more of a variety, it would take more interest in eating. My Green Botia is the same way - he will come out from his cave (only when there is food) but is very skitterish and will dash back into his cave the very second another laoch/fish comes near him. Maybe yours is still adjusting and will overcome his shyness with a bit more time...?

As for the loach who appears to have gotten "fat" I honestly have no idea what could be up with that... That seems quite odd.

Anyhow, good luck with everything.
I'm dealing with a sick loach right now too.

[Mark in Vancouver]

It may be that you should add more of them to break up their ennui. Except that this tank would be too small for more of them - and may be too small for the ones you have. This works out at 23 gallons, and you should be keeping these guys in groups of 5 or more in a tank no smaller than 50 gallons (190 L).

These are social fish. When you keep them in pairs, they are not able to establish much more than which one is dominant. With any loach, pairs are generally not ideal - better than keeping one at a time, but not ideal.

The dominant one will hog the food and the best resting spots in the tank, so until you actually see rapid breathing or odd colouration, my guess would be that you're seeing a social response, and not a medical issue.

[newshound]

if your feeding algae wafers break them up into smaller chunks and scatter them around the tank so each has a chance to gather some grub

[bazancik]

thank you - will keep an eye on the situation... I did chese the angry guy a bit yesterday and now he seems to be a bit more social (not very scientific way but getting him tired worked just as well as with kids

you should see the poor fellow hanging upside down over some plants though....


thanks!!

f

[Mark in Vancouver]

Normally these guys rest upside down, but under cover, in a tight nook and in the dark.

you should see the poor fellow hanging upside down over some plants though....

This doesn't sound right to me.