Loaches Online Forum

My WCMM's are acting itchy and have been so for about a month, flashing against vegetation, the rate is low about once an hour or maybe less and it only occurs when the main tank light is on.

They have no external visible parasites or bacterial infections and it only seems to be the front half they rub. I’m treating with Ektol crystals as it doesn’t harm your filter. The fish seem healthy and are feeding well.

The Levels are “Am” 0ppm “Nrite” 0ppm “Nrate” 5-10ppm PH 7.4 Tank is a 100L with an Aquaball 130 and an Aquaball 45. Other fish in the tank are Sewellia lineolata which aren’t itchy and quite happy.

Ich (White Spot) can live in the gills. Fish would flash, trying to itch the gill area. They may also hang out a little more at the surface, if the Ich is getting worse.
I really do not see Ich living happily in the gills for more than a life cycle or two, before some land on the exterior of the fish, and you would see them, however.

There are other parasites and diseases that can stay hidden in the gills, have a look here and see if anything matches up. Can you look inside at the gills themselves? Small fish to be able to see if the dills might look damaged, but you could probably see the color.

http://www.nationalfishpharm.com/fish_d ... rders.html

Odd water parameters can irritate the fish, too. Of course it varies with each species, but ammonia, wrong pH or salt (sodium chloride) are most often the problems. All your parameters look fine, though.

No sign of white spot nd the gills seem a healthy pink, rather than red. The fish are not breathing hard or near the surface. The od thing is that they only do it when the tank lights are on?

We're having the same problem with one of our Yo-yos. I sam him flash his whole side against the sand and kept swimming with his side planted to the bottom for about 10cm. I've started an ich-treatment, so we'll se how it turns out.

If it's of any help this is what i'm treating with.

JBL Ektol cristal
Use and dosage

* Activates mucous membranes.
* The fish reject the damaged, germ-infected mucous membranes and thus solve the problem. The final destruction of the germs is achieved by medications such as JBL Punktol ultra or JBL Fungol.
* Highly effective against problems with livebearing fish.

Against parasites and fungal infections

Medication for aquarium fish in freshwater against infections with fungii (Saprolegnia etc.), single-celled parasites ( Ichthyobodo, Ichthyophthirius, Chilodnella etc.), bacteria (Columnaris etc.). Cotton wool-like coatings, white skin blemishes, small white dots can be signs of such infections. Live bearers often show such symptoms as rubbing against objects, sticky fins and the fish dying without out any optically visible symptoms of illness. Ektol cristal is usually a reliable remedy in such cases.

Thought i'd put an update, my WCMM's are still doing it, I have fairly soft water could this cause the issue? The fish seem happy in every other way and are breeding too.

Look up Velvet.
This is a parasite that is hard to see, and photosynthesizes. (Maybe why the fish flash in the light)
I would go for a different med, the one you are using has not done its job.

Surely velvet would of had more of an impact by now? I haven't medicated in months.

If it's low level velvet which isn't causing too much of an issue, would a UV steriliser be a good thing rather than medicating?

Thought i'd add some pictures of my fish.. i mean they look fine to me?