Loaches Online Forum

I have 4 polka-dot loachs and the behavior of one or 2 is a little strange.
they will swim fine and fluidly but every so often they will almost sling shot around.... possibly darting, changing direction or moving erratically. Then they will straighten out and swim fine with another one side by side. I know they all have their own characteristics so I didnt know if this was one of them since I have only had them for a few weeks.

would take vid but camera is busted so not realy an option right now.
water is good....
ammonia 0
nitrite 0
nitrate 5ppm

all other fish are in good condition...
male betta
3 sword tails (2 female 1 male)
I assume these loachs will also change color on their own like clown loachs since last night at feeding a few looked superpale and today they were all in good color again.

We've had the same thing happening with our one. He moved like he was nitrite-poisoned, so I removed an artificial root which he jammed himself deep into (thought that the design of the root made the water movement to small to remove the nitrite). He still does this from time to time though. We're getting 4 more soon, we'll just have to see how they behave.

well I saw spots lastnight on one of the loachs and a mollie so I know why they are acting erratically.

I have already noticed this behavior on fishes with Flukes...

We've treaded ours for Ich, but he still does it. No spots whatsoever (I know they can hide in the gills).

I would guess flukes as well. My Kubotais had them at one point and it took several parasite treatments to get it under control. I don't believe all ich treatments will treat flukes. I've used Jungle Labs Parasite Clear in the past, and I'd recommend treating the entire tank as opposed to removing these loaches and treating them in a smaller tank.

Mine flash occasionally now, but it's rare enough that I think it's just a little sand in the gills or something.

sharkscott2 are you referring to me?

I see spots on most of my fish now.
So its defiantly ich.
not all of the loachs have it and not all of the other fish just most of them.
My rid-ich isnt for flukes from what I can tell so Im hoping that I dont have both ich and flukes but since both present same symptoms just ich has spots like my fish do Im going with that.

thanks