Loaches Online Forum

Okay, so my lovely loach has been doing very well since a long struggle with ich, maybe several weeks ago. He (? she....maybe his name should be LArr-etta) has been growing VERY well and is now nice and fat...no signs of ich until recently... sadness<( and maybe I am paranoid.)

I have a 29 gallon tank which is where he lives, and where he started. I also have a 10 gallon quaranteen where his new mates are currently undergoing what I call the "loach-gauntlet" of meds and quaranteen. Man, if you can get through Diana's regimen of meds and quaranteen, you are definitely safe to join my regular safe fish! (I am not complaining Diana, and I thank you for your diligence in helping out all of us who really need some experienced advice!!... you speak from many tanks of experience)

Anyway, the 75 gallon is almost ready to go ...parameters are good with nitrates <10ppm, NO2 nil, NHs nil, Gh and KH relatively close to the 29 gallon. This tank is "set up" as best I can with extra powerheads and a sand bottom, lots of hiding places (albeit fake plants..boo).
Besides, the Q tank has several weeks to go before any fish move.
Meanwhile, the two other loaches in quarenteen are making it through okay. Here is the bad news (maybe). I did a 40% water change in the 29 gallon, cleaned the decorations and really vacuumed the gravel. I did not clean the filter in hopes of helping the biofilter hang in there. There has bee NO shift in tank parameters: T=78F, pH 7.0, NO2 0, No3 slightest trace of pink on the dip. Gh and KH are "soft" and "moderate", respectively, which is where the have been. Anyway, Larry has been rubbing against rocks again. Not a terrible amount, but he did it two times Tonight eating his algae wafer, once yesterday. Looks JUST LIKE the flashing he did with ich. This is a CHANGE, but not a big one, just can't help but note it.
NOw there are no white spots and I have looked very carefully, but I am afraid of the ich... espeically since we are getting close to Larry meeting his mates.
Do you think I should wait to see some white spot before I treat with that dreadful Rid- ich medicine. As painful as it was to put it into the tank, it really did eventually work. I just do not want it to get out of hand again.

I know I am probably overreacting but need a little centering so I do not over treat ( or under treat my tank). Obivously overthinking this one

thanks beforehand for any advice
I think this forum has saved my fish (Larry thanks you) so far

Fish scratch for other reasons besides Ich. Since this was after a big water change perhaps there was some minor change in the water chemistry. If this is the case it is nothing to worry about.

However, it is good to keep a sharp eye out for Ich. Scratching is indeed an early sign.

Good for taking such careful care of the fish to prevent problems when they all get into the main tank