Loaches Online Forum

I've got 2 small clown loaches. I have one that is healthy and one that was healthy. The sick one has bumps all over his skin. He doesn't flash or show that they bother him all that much. He has had the symptoms for about 2 weesk now. He also seems to loose his sense of direction and spins towards the top of the tank. He then regains it and floats gently back down to the bottom. He lays on his side a lot, which isn't that out of the ordinary. He seems to still have an appetite. They mostly eat shrimp pellets and algae discs. No one picks on him and there are places to hide. I've googled many things but I haven't been able to find a direct answer.

I know his symptoms aren't ich because I had it about 3 moths ago and it was treated I also performed an ich treatment as well. I have also done a mela-fix treatment. 25% water change and vacuuming was done this past week.

No other fish in my tank has these symptoms. In the tank I have rainbow shark, small botia (i forget what type), and a small pleco in a 29 gal. tank.

According to my API testing kit everything (ammonia, nitrate, nitrite) are the lowest on the chart. PH was around a 7.4.

Pictures soon to come.

I'm new and really like these fish. I know that they will eventually out grow the tank and I'll need to purchase a larger one. I'm stumped though on what to do. Any help would be appreciated. THANKS!!!

There were a couple of posts near the beginning of the year about something like this: Spots that looked like Ich, but are not. Probably someone will be along soon to find and link those posts.

This may be of some use to you.
http://forums.loaches.com/viewtopic.php?t=13291

As well as my problem there are a few links within the thread describing and showing the same or similar predicaments.

I actually ending losing all of my 15 Clown Loach which was gut wrenching and heartbreaking. Everything I did seemed to be futile.

I just thought I would give an update to my previous post about white spots on my clown loach. It got to the point where his breathing was extremely lethargic and he could not swims strait or keep himself upright. I began using primafix to attempt to clean up what might be a fungal problem. It seemed to work. He came around started eating like crazy. It seems as though his balance and swimming are back and he is acting more like a normal loach. His spots seem to be getting better. I will be doing a 40% water change and vacuum here shortly. I don't think hes completely cured yet but it did seem to make a huge difference. Thought I would post a follow up for reference.

Very thoughtful of you to keep us up to date. I am happy to hear you have saved the Loach. Did you ever figure out what it actually was?

After a lot of research (mainly these forums), It seemed like a fungal infection. "He" still isn't completely cured and the other loach looks like he is getting the same thing. Some people said it might be hardness of water which I haven't tested that yet. I use RO water so I can't see that being a problem. Others had said leaches which I don't think it is. His body still has white spots. I don't know how else I could find out what it could have been/is.

If you get a chance post some photos. That may help narrow down the diagnosis, not just for yourself but other people suffering from either the same or similar problems.