how to know fish is stressed by medication? signs?

[squid]

How do you know if your clown loach is stressed by medication used?
I'm dosing my tank with Ocean free 3rd gen yellow powder to address my arowana's scale problem. I have already removed my big clown loaches to another tank.
But I have 5 pcs Kubotai Loaches in my Sump and Im unable to catch them to transfer them
I've already dosed with the medication. What signs do i look out for?

[Diana]

Depends on the action of the medicine, but common stress reactions include:
Lethargy
Hiding behind or under tank decor
Fast breathing
Folded fins
Excess slime coat (loaches are noted for this- any irritant in the water seems to make them extra gooey, and the slime coat can come off in thin sheets or strings)
Poor appetite
Another stress reaction is producing excess ammonia. Since you have removed some fish from the tank the nitrifying bacteria can probably deal with the increased ammonia production from the remaining fish, so in this case you probably will not be able to tell.

On the other hand, minimal stress might be there, but the fish does not want to show weakness. Weak fish can be attacked by predators. So just because a fish is acting normal (energetic, playful) this does not always mean there is no stress. However, I would think that is the stress is low enough that the fish can still act normal, then the fish will probably be fine when the stress is removed (in this case, remove the medicine with water changes and activated carbon at the end of treatment)

[NancyD]

Good list, Diana! I'd go not eating, excess slime coat, extreme agitation or lethargy, fast respiration...nothing like several big water changes to allievate symptoms. several days running if needed. Clean water can do amazing things! A lot of work but worth it! Loaches are worth the effort! Get busy!

[squid]

thanks So far looking at them, they seeem to be showing no signs of stress, they look ok. quite active and still eating.
i treated with Ocean free yellow powder. its an antibiotics for my arowanas.
Too bad i cant catche them in my sump to transfer them. but hopefully they pull thru.
I'll have to test for ammonia too.