New to Loaches--need help with my Yoyo

[clockstuck3am]

Hello, a couple months ago I had a problem with snails in one of my 28 gallon tanks, asked my LFS and they said "Why, loaches are the key to your problem of course!" I fell in love with a little yoyo loach, and at their recommendation just got one. I, of course, got another just as soon as they got another in once I realized that they really needed buddies, and am waiting for them to get another in so I can have a trio.

My problem is with my original, Buddy. I just love him (her?) just the funniest little guy in the world and s/he and the new yoyo got along right away. The problem is, ever since I got Buddy he would bloat up, then after 2 days go back to being thin. I (and my LFS) attributed it to the abundance of snails. Now I am hard pressed to find a single snail in the tank, but Buddy continues to bloat up and hasnt decreased in size in the past week. Now he/she has a huge belly and tends to hide more than usual and is making rapid movements with his gills.
He goes through spells where he goes about eating and playing, but then hides again.

I think I remember hearing something about feeding them peas when they are bloated, but I dont remember if I should cook them, or use canned or fresh or if it matters, and I dont know how to make him eat them when I have a tank of mollies and platies that devour veggies.

Any suggestions?
Thanks in advance:)
-Ani

[Diana]

Peas are useful for constipated fish. It is OK for other fish to eat them, too, why not feed enough for everyone?
I start with frozen peas, and defrost them in some hot water. Then pop the pea out of its covering. Sometimes it will split in half, other times it will mush. (you pinched it too hard)
I feed about half a pea per 2" fish, or more if they are really into eating peas. I usually feed enough so there are several on the floor of the tank, and leave them there overnight. I have a lot of bottom feeders, and nocturnal fish.

Daphnia is another food that is useful for constipated fish. It is available fresh (collect at your local stream or pond, if they are native to your area), frozen (these are most likely to sink to the bottom where the Yoyo can get to them, and freeze dried. I don't think the Yoyo will get the dried ones, they seem to float a long time, and the fish that feed on the surface will get a feast.

[clockstuck3am]

Thanks. I doubt I can find Daphnia here, it seems they are mostly fresh water and the water here is almost entirely brackish or sea water.

All I had on hand were some canned peas, but my mollies, platies and tetras devoured almost all of them before the yoyos got them. It was actually quite a sight. One neon got one and swam off with it and the others follwed her all over the tank. It was even funnier considering the pea was half the size of the little tetra;)

Anyway--
I just noticed that my chubby little yoyo seems to be flashing just a little.
Would he be doing this for any reason other than ich? None of the other fish show any signs of it and I dont want to risk treating for it and hurting the loaches and tetras if that isnt the problem. Especially since that one loach seems to be the only one flashing.

Im sorry I seem like such an idiot. I got the loaches on a whim (bad idea, I know) and I tried to do as much research as I could once I got him, but it seems I am still greatly lacking.

[palaeodave]

Maybe try weighing down some cucumber or watermelon. I reckon it might be just as good for constipation and there will be enough that the other fish can't run off with it. As for the flashing, it usually isn't worth worrying about unless it continues on past a day. Never hurts to do an extra water change though.