Loaches Online Forum

Well, I was devastated today to find that my prized 7" clown loach has died. ( Sorry, make that 9" - I have just measured it )Some of you may remember this loach - it was the one wih the tail mutation that I have posted on here.

Had very slight discolouration this morning - it looked almost like it was from where it had been lying on its side with the dark stripes almost pebble dashed. My girlfriend called me at lunchtime to say it really wasn't very well. Raced home, but despite efforts by me to revive it under very oxygenated water from a power head, it died. No signs of illness whatsoever the day before. PH fine an nitrite fine. All other fish healthy. Cannot think of any reason why this could have happened. Perhaps it was just the age of the fish?

Emma, if you read this I have sent you an email.

Sorry for your loss.

Cheers. A fish is a fish at the end of the day - though it gave me lots of enjoyment. It's just a shame with this particular one due to the additional fin on its tail. There is no other like it as far as I am aware. I have lost fish before - all part and parcel of fish keeping I guess. I would hand feed this one every day. Oh well

That stinks. I sorry to hear about this.

Hi Chris,
I just got your email. So sorry to hear about the loss of your special loach. You mentioned in the email that there was a very low level of nitrIte. What level was it, and any idea why it might have been present in what is an established tank? Did you check for ammonia too? Are your others all looking ok?
I'm not sure what to say with regards to photographs now that the loach has passed away. You have supplied us with a fantastic shot of this fish whilst it was alive and this shows the tail superbly. If you feel up to it, and the fish is still in resonable shape, it may be worth taking a couple of pics of the tail just so you have a close-up record of it. But we would understand if you'd rather not, because the loss of such a magnificent loachy friend can be very upsetting.
Hope you get to the bottom of why this happened,
Emma