I need help with my clown loach.

[distrbd]

Hi all.
One of my clown loaches is covered with some white spots ,it does not look like ICH ,it's more like white patches all over it's body,he doesn't seem to be suffering at all,eats and swims well,and not hiding from others .
What could it be,should I separate it from others?the only spare tank I have is a 25 gal.non of other fish have any of these white patches.
Is there a medication I could use ?this loach is very small probably one year old (1.1/2 " long).any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Regards.
Ken.

[mikev]

Not enough info...

It is best if you provide some more information as to the history of the disease and the fish, as well as the history of recent changes (any fish added, any fish died?), as well as a photo of the fish. Water parameters and your water change regime may also be of use.

Without having this it is impossible to diagnose the disease, and if you don't know what you are dealing with, you cannot recommend a medication or a course of treatment. Likewise, it is impossible to say if you need to isolate the fish or not if you don't know if this is an infectious disease or not.

Good luck.

[distrbd]

this clown loach and the other 3 are in a 90 gal.tank .along with 4 Yoyo loaches,25 small tetras and 10 baby angels .it's a heavily planted tank ,CO2 injected, and other fertilizers( NPK) added 3 times a week.
I do water changes weekly religiously,the tank is filtered with 3 canister filters and also 2 water pumps to have plenty circulation.
I have not added any fish at least for 2 months.
I only noticed this fish with white patches 2 weeks ago after a water change. the PH is 6.5,I don't know what other info I could add ,but please let me know if I'm missing something .
I just fed the fish and oh boy he is always hungry!

[brett_fishman]

is it maybe velvet??

velvet is usually yellow-is or orange-ish, but can show up in patches...i dunno..

could you maybe update your signature? i cont confused when i read it, alot different that now..

-brett.

[mikev]

Try to post photos of the fish, this is really the best. If this absolutely cannot be done, describe the spots/patches as best as you can. You may be able to narrow this down if you look at how these "spots" are made: are they something "added" to the fish, something taken out, or just the skin coloration changes?

White spots possibilities include true fungus, abrasions, some bacterial infections, and probably other things... too many options to suggest any particular drug.

With a good description someone may be able to guess.

Given that this is a large planted tank with lots of other fish, you really don't want to medicate unless you know what is going on. Given that you had the symptoms for two weeks, if this is something that may spread to other fish (not saying it is), the damage has been probably done already.

[distrbd]

Thank you for your reply.
I just used the magnifying glass and noticed that the patches are on the black stripes and look more like discolouration than anything,they are not raised or eaten away if you know what I mean.
I just dropped my camera in the tank while trying to take a picture LOL.
It's just not my day!

[loachmom]

Sorry, I am trying not to laugh, but that is just too funny! Sounds like something that would happen to me!! Hope your camera survives.....

[mikev]

Yuck...

Still, I'd suggest, dry it up (the camera, not the loach) and try to make pictures. So far it does not sound like something that requires an immediate action on your part, perhaps with pictures we may know better what is the situation.

good luck.

[distrbd]

Sorry, I am trying not to laugh, but that is just too funny! Sounds like something that would happen to me!! Hope your camera survives.....

I know,I found it silly too ,maybe it's time to buy a new one,water resistant perhaps!!!

[distrbd]

Yuck...

Still, I'd suggest, dry it up (the camera, not the loach) and try to make pictures. So far it does not sound like something that requires an immediate action on your part, perhaps with pictures we may know better what is the situation.

good luck.

Thanks Mikev.
I will take a pic. and post it this afternoon after work.

[distrbd]

Hi all .
I got the camera working ,this is the best picture I could come up with,
This after noon I isolated the sick looking clown and its doing well so far.
Please let me know what you think this skin patches are .
Regards.
Ken.


[img][img]http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b75/k ... patchy.jpg[/img][/img]

[shari2]

Sorry distrbd, but that's one sick little dude.

I'd imagine its some kind of bacterial infection, most likely gram negative, nearly impossible to say what kind without doing a lab culture.
See pics of various types at Pandora's Aquarium

His pectoral fins are showing signs of bacterial fin rot, he's very thin, and covered in open sores.

If he's in a qtank you need to treat him with a good broad spectrum, or gram negative antibacterial medication.
HERE is a link on Nitrofurazone. It's good for topical skin infections. If his behavior is still normal, it is unlikely to have reached systemic levels. 'Binox' by Jungle Labs is mostly nitrofurazone and salt. It's recommended for use on fungus and bacterial infections. If you have invertebrates (snails) remove them before treating.

I'd treat him soon, if I were you.

[distrbd]

Hi shari 2 and thank you for your reply.
I will go ASAP and get some BINOX since I can only see skin discolouration ,it doesn't look like he has an infection .
I was also concern that he may be suffering from SKINNY decease.
Thanks again .
Ken.

[loachmom]

Hi, Sorry about your sick little clown....and glad that your camera survived. Just to give you a little hope, one of my clowns looked alot like yours. He had terribly frayed fins with white dots on them (maybe ich). He was also very skinny--maybe skinnier than yours. I put him in QT and turned the temp up (gradually) to 87. I also treated him with a full course of Jungle Internal Parasite Guard. He's completely recovered and getting fatter every day. I'm not saying that you should follow what I did. Shari2 has given you great advice. Just don't give up on him. I was so surprised that my fish recovered.

[distrbd]

Hi, Sorry about your sick little clown....and glad that your camera survived. Just to give you a little hope, one of my clowns looked alot like yours. He had terribly frayed fins with white dots on them (maybe ich). He was also very skinny--maybe skinnier than yours. I put him in QT and turned the temp up (gradually) to 87. I also treated him with a full course of Jungle Internal Parasite Guard. He's completely recovered and getting fatter every day. I'm not saying that you should follow what I did. Shari2 has given you great advice. Just don't give up on him. I was so surprised that my fish recovered.

Thanks loachmon,your post really gave me hope.
I will look for that medication and keep it handy in case.