Loach Dying?

[HarryMcM]

Hi
I'm sorry for not taking the time to read the archives but I dont think I have the time?
I've had my clown about 8 years. Hes about 4.5 inches. A great character, he lives in my community tank and gets on with everyone. Sometimes chases his tank mates but never with any great conviction!
This past 2 days he has become very lethargic. Hardly moves at all. Floats around mid tank, seems to be "panting" sometimes and generally looks on deaths door. The only change in the last number of months has been a bit less attention to water changes from me and maybe more sunlight than normal - but then he usually hides out most of the time.
Any suggestions please?
Harry

[Graeme Robson]

Hi Harry, welcome to Loaches Online.

Could you supply more information?

Size of aquarium, tank-mates, water parameters, your maintenance routine?

[HarryMcM]

Hi Graeme
My aquarium is 6x4x2 feet. Community is made up of neons, and various tetras only. Havent done a recent water test as my tests never ever vary by anything notable in 6 or 7 years. Water is hard and slightly acidic. Maintenence consists only of 20% water change 6 to 8 to 10 weeks with small top ups to allow for evap. loss, filter cleaning and bit of a general tank clean! Hope this helps
Thanks for your reply. I'm guessing the old fella is like meself - just getting on a bit.
H.

[Graeme Robson]

Hi Harry. If i'm reading this correctly, you only change 20% of the water every 6 to 10 weeks? You really should be changing the water every week with at least 30% in my opinion.

Do you keep other Clown loaches? These chaps really should be kept in groups of at least 5. They are very sociable with their own kind. Clown loaches live for over 20yrs when kept in good aquarium conditions.

Which filter system do you also use? Sorry for the long questions but we need to get the idea of your set-up.

[HarryMcM]

Ok Graeme. I didn't make that very clear. For the last 6 to 10 weeks I have only changed 20% at EACH CHANGE - weekly. I mislaid my diary in which I would record changes and other odds and ends at the beginning of the summer and have not been recording as I normally would. I have only had this one loach for about 6 years as my attempts at introducing others were singularly unsuccessful - all others kept dying off on me. At one stage I actually was blaming this fella for killing them - but I'm not so sure. Hope this further info helps.
Harry

[Emma Turner]

Hi Harry, welcome to Loaches Online.

What type of filtration are you using on this tank? Is there plenty of water movement and oxygenation?

Although the tank has been up and running for some time, water test results (ammonia, nitrite, nitrate and pH) will help rule some things out. If you haven't got an in-date test kit to hand, is there any chance you could borrow one from a fishkeeping friend or take a water sample to a trusted fish store?

Emma

[doglover_50]

As mentioned, it's hard to give you any suggestions without knowing things like water parameters. Nevertheless, without that info., here are two "broad spectrum" suggestions.

1) the fish appears to be hyperventilating--reason unknown. So I would increase oxygenation with an airstone or add another little filter that breaks the waters surface, etc...

2) Water change--if you haven't done that 20% this week, I'd do it now.


Have you checked your heater to make sure water temp is as normal?

[HarryMcM]

Hi folks. Thanks for the replies and apologies for the lack of response. I cannot get my water tested until the week end. I have changed abou 40% this morning and left the inlet from my filter(Fluval 304) on top of the tank so that it was breaking the surface and hopefully oxygenating a little extra.
Loachies behaviour has changed a bit in the last 36 hours. Breathing no longer laboured, moving a bit more but still spending longer than usual in the most peculiar positions. Sometimes prone sometimes tail standing with his body almost bent double. He is eating almost normally and still happy to come up to the surface to be stroked. But still he just doesnt seem himself. All other tank mates are fine. What do I do now?

[shari2]

Since the water change he's improved the breathing a bit, right?
You may want to try doing small changes every day until you can get your water tested.
Have you added anything new, or changed food, or found anything unusual in the tank or other inhabitants?

[HarryMcM]

Thanks for that. I haven't changed anything and can find nothing different in the tank or the other fishes.
H.