Loaches Online Forum

hey all:)
need your loach expertise!
do these guys look healthy? (i got 3) some have diff patches of pale colors on them.. is that normal?
sorry for the crappy pics.. best i could get for now...
thanks

#1






#2 (gets real pale)


#3 (most normal looking of the 3)


what kind are they? just want to make sure as im new to loaches...
many thanks

Hi aQuagirl, Welcome to Loaches Online.

Your loaches look like the Beaufortia kweichowensis.

Here's a good article for there care >> http://www.loaches.com/articles/hillstr ... -fast-lane

thanks!
im kinda worried about their appearance.. their colors look patchy to me.. is this a bad sign or is it normal for these guys?

Here's a link to an article Jim Powers wrote on hillstream diseases:
http://www.loaches.com/disease-treatmen ... am-loaches

ok last question, do these guys look sick? esp. the 2nd one...
im not sure whether thats normal for them as its my first time to own hillstreams... they are in a 35g with a 4-in L25 and black ghost knife...
the loaches might be sick im bit worried
thanks

Yes they look sick, like a slime coat issue I see in stores .One cause I see lots is low flow. What is the flow rate of your tank. You shoud be 350 gal per hour minimum in your 35.

Unfortunately, #1 and #2 look sick to me.
Have you seen them eat?

i have seen one eat, but im not sure which loach tho...
ive added an extra powerhead to the tank, so theres a strong current going on...
will this affect my other fish in the tank?
should i quarantine them now?

what should i do? i want to save the lil guys

This is why its a good idea to quarentine fish after purchasing them.
I am of the opinion that this "Patchy Disease" is not necessarily caused by just one pathogen. I can't really say that this will effect all of the fish in the tank, but it might.
If it were me and I could get Maracyn and Maracyn 2 (erythromycin and minocycline) I would start treatment of the whole tank according to directions.
Good luck!!

Jim Powers wrote: I am of the opinion that this "Patchy Disease" is not necessarily caused by just one pathogen.

At least three; I know of two non-infectious causes now, both seen with specifically Beaufortia, in addition to your original case.

thanks...

what other alternative meds can i use? aside from maracyn

thanks

That's the only antibiotic that has worked for me.

okay.
do i have to treat the whole tank? im planning to remove the 2 sick loaches to a QT will that be okay or do i now have to include the other fish and pleco in the treatment? which is a better move?
thanks