Loaches Online Forum

hi
i have 2 clown loaches in a 35 gallon community tank. over the past month both have them have developed spots all over their bodies. their breathing looks a little heavy but otherwise they are acting normal. no other fish in the tank appear sick or spotted. i have searched all over to try to get an idea what it could be, it looks a bit like ick but i am pretty sure its not. anyway any ideas would be greatly appreciated! - huh, i seem to be having problems uploading a picture.

YES there are other parasites that look somewhat like Ich, but are not Ich. Small white spots scattered over the fish. Fish display symptoms of stress and irritation, perhaps they itch.

Here at Loaches there was quite a long thread about one such parasite. The spots look like Ich, but are more evenly spaced, more spread out over the fish and regular Ich treatments do not fix the problem.

See the other post here called Spotted Clowns, the links are in there.

Google Super Ich for another (same???) parasite.

Until you get more info I would start with some thorough gravel vacs and water changes to make sure there is less organic waste in the system and the nitrogen products are as low as possible. Add a UV sterilizer to the system.