Loaches Online Forum

Just tonight i noticed one of my zebra loaches has one cloudy eye. There are 5 zebra loaches in my 30 gallon tank, a few endlers live bearers, ro water, good filtration. I worry about any meds because i have heard loaches are more sensitive than other fish. Do i need to move him to a hospital tank to protect the other loaches in the tank? Suggestions of what this is and how to treat?
Thanks!

First, what are your water parameters??

Cloudy Eye can be caused by any of several disease organisms, or by an injury.
First step is a water change that emphasizes a thorough gravel vac.

When anything is wrong, getting the water in the best possible condition is important.
Lowest possible nitrates. Under 20 for sure, and under 10 if at all possible.
Remove fallen organic matter. This harbors microorganisms, (good ones and bad), and can interfere with medication.

Ditto:
Please, more info about the tank.

Planted tank
Nitrates, less than 20, greater than zero
Nitrite zero
pH 7.0-7.5
KH 80
GH 30
AquaClear power filter for up to 50 gallon, plus under gravel filter.
I had cleaned the tank 24 hours prior to when I observed the cloudy eye. I had removed some gravel because I am planning stop using the under gravel filter and move to a sand bottom tank. Last week I made a river-tank manifold and was hoping to get it set up this weekend.
I did a partial water change yesterday morning.

Do any other fish have anything wrong? Any other cloudy eyes? Any other external injuries?
When the fish are interacting do they seem to always chase one particular fish (the one with the cloudy eye?)

Is the eye looking any better?

The eye is not looking any better.
No one seems chase or pick on this guy, there are a total of 5 zebra loaches in the tank and they all sleep together and hang out together. Other than that the only fish I have in the tank are a few Endlers livebearers. I forgot to add that water temp is 76. Would you advise just continuing with frequent water changes? I cleaned the gravel again tonight and did a small water change (ro water). The gravel is very clean, but there is a planted area of the tank that isn't as easy to get the siphon into.

I do have a 10 gallon tank (sand bottom) that I have just in case I need a hospital tank, I could move this guy if I needed to treat him...

all other fish appear normal, no other external injuries seen...

I wuld keep doing small water changes very frequently to keep the water pristine. That usually works to clear eyes for me.