Hillstream Loach "Patchy Disease" Question

[Rosenweiss]

Hello...I joined this forum just so I could ask this question.

My hillstream loach seems to be exhibiting the symptoms. He was eating, and his suction seems fine, but he has lost color along his back and is breathing quite rapidly.

He is in a 29g with a few other inhabitants including glass catfish and tetras, and a pleco. I cannot really afford treatment right now; trust me, if I could I would buy some maracyn II. So my question is, will this disease spread to my other fish?

[Jim Powers]

In my experience, it may. I lost a few white clouds at the same time, but most of the losses were hillstreams.

[Rosenweiss]

Okay, thanks so much for your response.

Maybe more info would help... My hillstream loach has actually had this spot since I got him, but it wasn't white; it was dark brown or black. Only relatively recently did it turn white. He's survived for weeks though, even with the spot, and his appetite seems okay... when the lady went to bag him, I think she may have hit him in the back (right on the spine is the only place he has these patches). Is it possible that his patches are the result of an injury or something else instead of patchy disease since he's lived so long?

Also, how rapid is rapid breathing? Mine breathes very quickly but I can't tell if this is normal or not.

[Jim Powers]

It is certainly possible that it is something else. The term "Patchy Disease" could actually be a number of bacterial or even viral infections that manifest themselves with these same symptoms.
Its hard to say what rapid breathing is without something to compare it too.

[Rosenweiss]

I would say at least 4 breaths a second, if not more?

[Jim Powers]

That does seem rapid.
I really don't know what to tell you if you can not do treatment. Be sure to keep the water quality as high as possible and watch to see if the fish eats.

[Rosenweiss]

Right now I can't observe him much as he is hiding inside a decoration...

I admit I am hesitant to medicate 7 healthy fish if I just have the one (possibly) sick one... will medicating healthy fish and/or treating the wrong type of infection (bacterial vs. viral) harm any of the fish?

[Jim Powers]

If you are using an antibiotic such as Maracyn 2, there should be no problem.

[Rosenweiss]

Thanks. =]

He seems to be doing okay. His suction and appetite don't seem too affected. Couldn't say for sure though.