Loaches Online Forum

Someone please advise.... I <3 my Golden Dojo Loach, but he has been acting quite strange. He first became lethargic and wouldn't move much. As of late he's developed a spinal curvature and I often find him on his back. When he does move, its sporradic and chaoctic movement. He doesnt eat much so he's been getting skinnier and a large lump on the back of his head is getting more prominent, but that might just be because he's getting thinner. I do not want to miss diagnose him, and I want to know if he's still treatable.

I would start treating him.
Skinny disease is not one specific organisms, but a condition brought on by any of several diseases or parasites. If you can get Levamisol it is especially good because not only does it attack several internal parasites, it also has the side effect of boosting the immune system.
Other than that, alternating an antibiotic and a wormer is the goal. The medicines you use are up to you. Follow the dose and timing on the label.

Thankyou for the advice. I'll try it and post how it works.

I was unable to find the medecine that you suggested because, I was told in the state of California the different kinds of treatment that are available is very limited. I got my hands on Mardel brand Maracyn Two by recommendation of Vets Pets in El Cajon, CA (nice/small place). It cost me around $11 and had a 6 day treatment for a 10gal tank. This has worked amazingly to cure my Golden Dojo Loach of wasting away!!! His energy is back and he is eating again (: There is still a slight curvature in his spine, but that might be because it took me a little while to treat him. If you think your loach has Skinny Disease...try this! Saved his little loach life

I usually use kanamycin for this since mycobacteria cannot be killed by many antibiotics. If you ever encounter a case where the infection is stubborn, remember kanamycin.

Maracyn 2 is a good one, and is often dosed in combination with Maracyn (no number).
Maracyn 2 is minocycline, and tends to deal with Gram negative bacteria. Many fish diseases are Gram negative.
Maracyn is erythromycin, and tends to deal with Gram positive bacteria. Some secondary bacteria that attack fish when their defenses are low are Gram positive.

Neither medicine does anything against internal parasites, and neither seems to be active against Mycobacteriosis. (There is some question if any antibiotic is truly active against MB)

These and many others are available in aquarium and pet stores, over the counter, no need to see a vet. However, if you have found a vet who is willing to look at fish, and treat them you have found a very valuable resource!