Loaches Online Forum

this morning I saw one of my Golden Dojo Loaches at the surface, he flipped a bit and then stiffened and stopped moveing entirely - I thought he was dead. High ammonia has been a problem in the tank which is cycling, but I've been using all the addities to help and no other fish were in distress this morning. I now have him in a bucket of cool cleean water with a bubbler and he just floats upside down with no movement as if dead, but his gills look normal and are functioning!! It has been five hours and no change. What should I do?? Every few hours he will wiggle slightly and gasp a little, then for hours, no movement at all. We love him!! Please suggest something we can do to help!

Hi, Watertiger..,

Based on your description and the fact he is floating, I would say it sounds like there is a problem with his swim bladder. I am no expert, but I have dojo loaches myself, and love them as you do. Hopefully in time some experts will come and help you with a more specific answer, but in the meantime, perhaps you could look up disorders of the swim bladder and see what you come up with.

soul-hugger