Loaches Online Forum

Ok well here's the story:
Only about a week or less ago now I bought two new goldfish, a loach and some plants to entertain the old lone goldfish I had. Well, one of the plants drifted up the tank and died; PH changed, killed the old goldfish. The two new goldfish were also suffering and we've been treating them with Protozin. They seem to be getting better now... Except now my loach is dying. We didn't take the loach out before applying the medicine (it said on the bottle that it may harm loach )

Well.. after 3 days of applying the protozin the loach is now on its backside, breathing prefusely. I don't know how much longer it will last, but I need a solution quickly

Please help!

Do a large water change (around 40 - 50% if the temperature of the new water can be matched fairly closely to that of your aquarium) and add some activated carbon to your filter to absorb the medication. Increase aeration by the use of a powerhead/venturi. Dropping the water level slightly so that the return water from your filter splashes down onto the water's surface will also aid aeration.

Protozin must only be used at a half dose rate when loaches are present, as indicated on the packaging. It is an excellent treatment if the guidelines are followed.

Do you have some water test results to hand? It would be worth knowing what your ammonia and nitrIte levels are on.

What kind of loach do you have in with your goldfish? Is is a Weather Loach or have you been mis-sold a 'suckerbelly' type Hillstream Loach?

Good luck,

Emma

Ok thank you very much .

Also, should I try to flip it around.. or is it fine upside down?

Do the water change, add the carbon to the filter, aerate the water, then turn the lights off (to reduce the amount of stress on the sick fish). Any 'flipping over', whilst well-intentioned will just stress the fish further, if it is going to pull through, it will right itself. I have to say that sadly it doesn't sound very hopeful.

Do you know what species of loach you were sold?

Emma