Loaches Online Forum

hi there loach lovers, had a situation happen I wanted to ask you ladies and gents about.

I've got 5 clowns in 75g, was doing some cleaning today and my biggest clown (bout 4 1/2") got spooked, he kind of darted into a tight space and thrashed violently a few times trying to squeeze thru a small spot, could hear him "flapping" loud, then he swam away ok.

now my concern is that I took close look at the rocks he was wedged in and it looks like he left ALOT of his slime coat from both sides on the rocks, like it just wiped right off.

I haven't encountered this situation before and was wondering any thoughts. I know they are sensitve, and slime coat important, so I'm afraid it may make him prone to some sickness.

thought I'd asked before I did anything, considered some sort of "slime-coat" additive, but dosing the whole tank doesnt seem like it would help, and catching and isolating him would be difficult and stressful.

for now my thoughts were just turn off the lights, and just let him relax and maybe "re-slime"?

they have been in the tank for little over a year, established with no water issues and no health problems to this point.

just happened couple hours ago, and for now he's swimming about and looks normal, but I am worried about him and appreciate any thoughts you might have.

You should keep a close eye out for any infections developing on the flanks where your fish scraped itself, just in case, but if you keep up with a good water change regime, he/she should be fine. There are products out there which claim to aid in the replacement of lost slime-coat, but personally I think you will be better served by keeping the water in tip-top condition.

Emma

thanks emma, was kinda thinking the same thing on the stress coat stuff, seems to be mostly the aqua-safe type stuff that I use on water changes anyway.

didn't do a water change right away, just wanted to leave him alone and let him relax awhile, and was doing my regular cleaning anyway when this happened, just changed bout 35%, so at least was good timing.

got a look at him today, his sides a little light-colored like he had been rubbed, but not cut looking. was active and eating little while ago, so fingers crossed.