Loach deaths...insight, please?
Posted: Thu Jul 05, 2007 12:34 pm
Hello all,
As I have frequented this website as an invaluable tool in the last 3 years, (the time that I have had clown loaches) this is my first posting.
May I preface this by saying that while the topic may be a bit redundant, I have been fortunate not to have had any serious issues until recently. Now that this issue has impacted me personally, I hope that I might have some insight and assistance from you, the experienced. Thank you in advance.
I have a 75 (US) gallon tank, filtered by a Fluval 405, and an AC110. My pH is about 6-7 (varies when I do a water change, but becomes acidic as the tannins are released from the Malaysian driftwood in the tank) the nitrates are around 5,and nitrites are at 0. I keep the tank at about 79 degrees F. Water changes of about 40% with a python every 5 days. Oh, and I have a 1/2" of pool sand substrate, and feed a mixture of flakes, shrimp pellets, fresh organic veggies, and algae wafers.
Until last week, it was stocked with 3 botia kubotais, 5 clown loaches, and 6 rams.
About 6 months ago, I realized that the smallest clown (about 3"), in spite of a healthy appetite, was bony, so I treated the tank with the recommended levamisole hydrochloride treatment using the yellow pill form, (the rams were not in there at the time) and things seemed to be better. I got the rams about a month ago, and 2 weeks ago, added them to the tank after qt'ing for about 2 weeks. The smallest clown became skinny quickly, I retreated the levamisole, to no avail. While the other loaches appeared better and to have had a growth spurt, the smallest one didn't make it. Then the largest one, Gorda(about 8"), became vibrant in her colors, but suddenly became extremely lethargic. Within just a couple of days, I lost her too. The next largest clown (about 7") followed almost immediately after I did a major water change, took the driftwood out and scrubbed it, and put an organic lemon slice in there as a snack.
What I noticed when taking out the deceased clowns was that there appeared to be red, almost puncture looking marks on their necks and on Gorda, the largest, a little around her mouth. Also, previous to the demise (about a day or two), the affected loaches would appear to have labored breathing,and sleep on their sides for long periods without eating. The loaches have always got along famously, and I had not ever see them quarrel, so fighting seems to be out of the question.
I am at a loss as to what to do next. I know 2 loaches are not happy just as the pair, but honestly, at this point, I am constantly waiting to find them dead as well. Could this be tuberculosis?
Upon realizing how lengthy this is, I certainly hope I have supplied all of the information needed to assist. Thank you again.
As I have frequented this website as an invaluable tool in the last 3 years, (the time that I have had clown loaches) this is my first posting.
May I preface this by saying that while the topic may be a bit redundant, I have been fortunate not to have had any serious issues until recently. Now that this issue has impacted me personally, I hope that I might have some insight and assistance from you, the experienced. Thank you in advance.
I have a 75 (US) gallon tank, filtered by a Fluval 405, and an AC110. My pH is about 6-7 (varies when I do a water change, but becomes acidic as the tannins are released from the Malaysian driftwood in the tank) the nitrates are around 5,and nitrites are at 0. I keep the tank at about 79 degrees F. Water changes of about 40% with a python every 5 days. Oh, and I have a 1/2" of pool sand substrate, and feed a mixture of flakes, shrimp pellets, fresh organic veggies, and algae wafers.
Until last week, it was stocked with 3 botia kubotais, 5 clown loaches, and 6 rams.
About 6 months ago, I realized that the smallest clown (about 3"), in spite of a healthy appetite, was bony, so I treated the tank with the recommended levamisole hydrochloride treatment using the yellow pill form, (the rams were not in there at the time) and things seemed to be better. I got the rams about a month ago, and 2 weeks ago, added them to the tank after qt'ing for about 2 weeks. The smallest clown became skinny quickly, I retreated the levamisole, to no avail. While the other loaches appeared better and to have had a growth spurt, the smallest one didn't make it. Then the largest one, Gorda(about 8"), became vibrant in her colors, but suddenly became extremely lethargic. Within just a couple of days, I lost her too. The next largest clown (about 7") followed almost immediately after I did a major water change, took the driftwood out and scrubbed it, and put an organic lemon slice in there as a snack.
What I noticed when taking out the deceased clowns was that there appeared to be red, almost puncture looking marks on their necks and on Gorda, the largest, a little around her mouth. Also, previous to the demise (about a day or two), the affected loaches would appear to have labored breathing,and sleep on their sides for long periods without eating. The loaches have always got along famously, and I had not ever see them quarrel, so fighting seems to be out of the question.
I am at a loss as to what to do next. I know 2 loaches are not happy just as the pair, but honestly, at this point, I am constantly waiting to find them dead as well. Could this be tuberculosis?
Upon realizing how lengthy this is, I certainly hope I have supplied all of the information needed to assist. Thank you again.
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